New York Mayor Mamdani Urges Residents to Set Air Conditioners to 26°C Amid Heatwave

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy after urging residents to set their air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius to reduce strain on the power grid during a severe heatwave. In a post on X, Mamdani explained that the electrical network is "working overtime to keep everyone cool" and encouraged people to turn off unused lights and appliances and unplug unnecessary devices. He also noted that city buildings are following the same guidelines to lower electricity consumption during peak hours.

The mayor's message quickly went viral, garnering tens of millions of views but also drawing sharp criticism from public figures and conservative commentators. Among those who condemned the call were Congressman Brandon Gillespie, commentator Matt Walsh, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Critics accused the mayor of promoting government overreach, with comments such as "26 degrees? Welcome to communism" and "The government wants to turn your home into a sauna."

This controversy arises as New York faces an intense heatwave, with authorities warning that the heat index could reach around 44 degrees Celsius. The mayor's appeal is part of broader efforts to manage the city's energy resources during this extreme weather event.