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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has recently settled into Gracie Mansion, the historic mayoral residence, and is already proposing modifications to the centuries-old property. Speaking to reporters on January 12, Mamdani expressed what he called an “aspirational hope” to install several bidets in the official residence.
“One thing that we will change is we will be installing a few bidets into Gracie Mansion,” Mamdani told the media during a press conference at the Upper East Side property. “That’s an aspirational hope. We’ll see if we can get it done.”
The proposal has drawn criticism from within the mayor’s own party. An unnamed prominent New York City Democrat criticized the mayor’s plans, suggesting they contradicted Mamdani’s self-professed socialist values.
“He’s been mayor for a minute and now the socialist thinks he’s flush with so much cash he can buy bidets,” the anonymous Democrat told Fox News Digital, highlighting what they perceived as hypocrisy in the mayor’s priorities.
The Democrat also pointed to contrasting public reactions between Mamdani’s bidet plans and President Donald Trump’s recent renovations to the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom bathroom. Trump’s upgrades, which included “highly-polished, statuary marble,” faced significant criticism from historians and comedians, with “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver calling the renovations “tone-deaf.”
Similarly, Trump’s East Wing ballroom renovations have been the subject of political backlash, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries claiming that Trump wanted to “build a ballroom where he can be celebrated as if he was a king.” The project even became fodder for satire on “Saturday Night Live,” which featured a skit with actors portraying Trump and the hosts of HGTV’s “The Property Brothers.”
Gracie Mansion holds significant historical importance in New York City. According to the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, the residence was built in 1799 by merchant Archibald Gracie as a country house located five miles north of what was then considered New York City. Today, it stands as one of Manhattan’s oldest surviving wooden structures and has served as the official mayoral residence since 1942, when Parks Commissioner Robert Moses convinced city authorities to designate it for that purpose during Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia’s administration.
The residence is situated in Manhattan’s affluent Upper East Side, an area known for its wealthy residents and high property values, which adds another layer to the criticism about a self-described socialist mayor seeking luxury bathroom fixtures.
Installing bidets at Gracie Mansion would come with varying costs depending on the type and quality chosen. According to HomeAdvisor, a home-improvement cost and contractor marketplace owned by Angi, the average cost to install a bidet in 2025 was approximately $640, with typical ranges between $400 and $1,500. High-end models can cost up to $2,000. HomeGuide, another industry cost estimator, indicates that standalone bidets could cost between $700 and $2,600 including installation, while simpler bidet attachments might range from $100 to $300.
Despite the criticism, Mamdani’s plan received support from New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, which endorsed the initiative with the practical statement that “more bidets = fewer wet wipes,” suggesting potential environmental benefits to the installation.
The city has not yet provided specific details on how it would implement the bidet installations in the historic property, which likely would require careful planning given the building’s age and protected status.
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12 Comments
I’m not surprised to see criticism from within the mayor’s own party on this bidet proposal. Renovations at the mayoral residence are bound to be scrutinized, especially with perceived inconsistencies in the mayor’s stated values. Curious to see if this plan moves forward.
The contrasting reactions to this proposal versus the Trump White House bathroom renovations highlights the partisan nature of these types of stories. Both sides will likely spin it to suit their narratives.
The critique from the anonymous Democrat insider highlights the political sensitivities around this bidet proposal. Regardless of the merits, the mayor will need to effectively communicate the rationale and cost implications to avoid accusations of hypocrisy.
Comparing this to the Trump White House bathroom renovations is an interesting framing. The partisan nature of these stories is hard to ignore, but the mayor should focus on making a substantive case for his plans.
The debate around the mayor’s bidet proposal highlights the complexities of managing a historic mayoral residence. While the environmental and practical benefits of bidets are worth considering, the political sensitivities and potential costs will likely dominate the discussion.
Comparing this to the Trump White House renovations is an understandable framing, but the mayor should aim to make his case on the merits rather than get bogged down in partisan dynamics. Effective communication will be key to navigating this issue.
As a new mayor, Mamdani will need to be strategic in how he approaches high-profile renovations like this. While bidets can be a practical upgrade, the political optics and potential costs will likely be heavily scrutinized, especially from within his own party.
It will be important for the mayor to carefully weigh the pros and cons of this proposal and communicate a clear rationale to the public. Renovations at the mayoral residence tend to be politically charged, so he’ll need to navigate this skillfully.
Interesting to see the debate around the mayor’s proposal to install bidets in Gracie Mansion. Renovations can certainly stir up controversy, even for a ‘socialist’ mayor. I’m curious to hear more perspectives on the potential cost and practicality of this idea.
Bidets can be a practical and water-efficient upgrade, but the optics of a mayor prioritizing them may rub some the wrong way. It will be worth watching how this proposal plays out.
While bidets can be a water-saving option, the timing and optics of this proposal may raise eyebrows. As a new mayor, Mamdani will need to carefully balance his progressive vision with pragmatic concerns about public perception and spending.
It will be interesting to see if the mayor is able to get this bidet plan approved and implemented. Renovations at the mayoral residence tend to be closely watched, so he’ll need to make a strong case for this upgrade.