New York City is grappling with a historic heat wave, with temperatures feeling as hot as 112 degrees. In response, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani advised residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees, turn off unused lights and electronics, and unplug devices where possible to ease strain on the power grid.

"New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool," Mamdani posted on X, outlining the city's efforts to maintain the 78-degree rule in public buildings, dim lights during peak demand, and power down non-essential equipment.

The mayor's guidance quickly went viral, being viewed over 36.5 million times, and drew sharp criticism from conservatives and commentators. Republican representatives and public figures described the directive as an example of government overreach, with one calling it "Welcome to socialism, where the government demands you turn your house into a sauna because they can't plan for the super unpredictable fact that it tends to get hot in the summer."

Notable figures such as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, conservative commentator Matt Walsh, and reality TV star Spencer Pratt also voiced their disapproval on social media.

Amid the controversy, former Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to Mamdani by phone after recent elections, signaling the mayor's influence within the Democratic base ahead of the 2028 presidential nomination race.

Mamdani, who recently delivered a speech at Gracie Mansion commemorating Juneteenth, continues to navigate the challenges of managing the city's infrastructure during extreme weather conditions.

Sources