Abbott's 100% Tariff Quip Draws Trump Endorsement

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted he would “impose a 100% tariff” on people moving to Texas from New York City after the mayoral election, a quip that drew thousands of online reactions and prompted no immediate clarification from his office. Legal experts said governors cannot tax people relocating across state lines and that the constitutional right to travel would likely bar any such levy. The remark referenced concerns about a potential exodus if Democratic Socialist front‑runner Zohran Mamdani — who proposes taxing the rich, rent freezes and expanded city services — were elected. President Trump amplified GOP criticism of Mamdani, publicly endorsed Andrew Cuomo as an alternative and warned he might withhold federal funds if Mamdani wins. Observers treated Abbott’s post variously as political theater, a joke, or part of a broader culture‑war posture tied to prior actions like busing migrants to sanctuary cities, while critics continued to attack Mamdani’s policy proposals and controversial statements on policing and the Israel–Hamas war.