New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani’s request for residents to set air conditioners to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.6 degrees Celsius) during a dangerous heat wave has sparked a political row, with Republicans accusing him of promoting “socialism.”
“With New York facing extreme temperatures with the heat index expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius), Mamdani urged residents to help reduce pressure on the city’s power grid.“New York: It’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool. Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronic devices you’re not using, and unplug what you can,” he wrote. “Our city is doing its part too: maintaining a 78 degree rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off lights during peak electricity demand, asking private sector partners to do the same, and turning off nonessential equipment.”
A stable grid means the air conditioner stays running, and lives are saved. Let’s ease demand and beat the heat together.”
In a separate message, Mamdani also warned residents against worsening temperatures.“New York, this heat wave is just beginning. Please stay prepared and informed as dangerously high temperatures continue. The heat index tomorrow is expected to reach 110. Plan for extreme temperatures. Drink more water than usual,” he said.
Reach out to vulnerable neighbors who may need help finding resources. Look for air conditioning whenever possible and research the locations of cooling centers.”The appeal sparked a backlash from Republican politicians across the country, many of whom linked the request to socialism.Former DOGE leader Vivek Ramaswamy wrote: “This is what socialism looks like, guys. The right answer is not restrictions or mandates. It’s drilling, fracking, coal and nuclear.”
“This is how we’re going to move in Ohio.”
Former US Ambassador Nikki Haley also chimed in, writing: “Welcome to socialism.”
Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who broke with the Trump administration, mocked the directive, saying: “This is the Democrats’ worst election ad. Set your air to 78 degrees? God bless your hearts, New York City!! American energy should be so strong and abundant that you will never have to raise it above 70 if you don’t want to. And this is coming from the deep South in Georgia!!”
Senator Ted Cruz also criticized the move, posting: “In a first world country, you can turn on the air conditioning…”
However, social media users pointed out that Cruz’s home state of Texas has made similar requests on several occasions during periods of high electricity demand.The criticism came as New York entered a multi-day heat wave that was expected to continue through the weekend. Officials warned that heavy use of air conditioning could put additional pressure on the city’s power grid during peak hours. Recent guidance from the US Department of Energy recommends that air conditioners be set to between 75°F and 78°F (23.9°C to 25.6°C) for efficiency, while suggesting that the temperature can be increased even further when no one is home.
