White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt just threw a sharp jab at New York City’s new First Lady over a pair of designer boots that cost more than many pay for rent.
The drama unfolded hours after Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as NYC’s 112th mayor, with Leavitt slamming his wife, Rama Duwaji, for sporting $630 Miista boots while Mamdani pushes a platform of affordability for struggling New Yorkers, the Daily Mail reported.
For hardworking taxpayers across the city, this fashion faux pas raises eyebrows about whether the new administration truly gets the financial burdens they face—especially when Mamdani’s plans could hike taxes on the wealthy and corporations, potentially trickling down as higher costs for everyday folks.
Mamdani took the oath of office just after midnight on Thursday in a decommissioned City Hall subway station, marking a historic moment as the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, and the youngest in over a century.
He swore on a Quran, underscoring his personal heritage, while his wife, 28-year-old artist Rama Duwaji, stood by in an outfit that’s now the talk of the town.
Her mid-calf leather Miista ‘Shelley’ boots, complete with a pointed toe and lace-up back, were paired with black shorts and a vintage Balenciaga wool coat—though her stylist insists the ensemble was rented or borrowed.
Enter Karoline Leavitt, who didn’t waste a moment to call out what she sees as a glaring contradiction in the new mayor’s camp.
“They want New Yorkers to hand over more than half their income to the government - while she wears designer boots worth your weekly paycheck,” Leavitt posted on Instagram, poking at the disconnect between Mamdani’s affordability agenda and his wife’s pricey style.
With rent freezes, free buses, and city-run grocery stores on Mamdani’s docket, funded by taxing the rich, conservatives might wonder if this is less about helping the little guy and more about government overreach.
Mamdani, a self-identified Democratic Socialist, made no apologies during his inaugural address, doubling down on his progressive vision for the city.
“I was elected as a Democratic Socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist,” he told the crowd, signaling that his left-leaning principles won’t bend under scrutiny.
While his goals of universal childcare and slashing food costs sound noble, the multi-billion-dollar price tag has fiscal conservatives questioning whether New Yorkers can afford the experiment.
Interestingly, Mamdani’s relationship with President Trump hasn’t always been frosty, despite the commander-in-chief once labeling him a “Communist Lunatic” during the campaign.
In a November White House meeting, Trump offered warm praise, even joking about past barbs, and expressed hope for collaboration on affordability and public safety, saying, “We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York.”
