Leftist Americans are used to playing the role of Lucy Van Pelt to American Charlie Browns. Smile, cajole, say this time they agree to play with us by the rules until we land on our backs when the football is taken away. Zohran Mamdani figures he still needs a bit more power for his “compassionate socialism” so he slipped into the Lucy role quite comfortably.

On April 15, tax day, Mamdani released this aggressive and creepy video …

Zohran Mandani: “Today, we are taxing the rich. Happy Tax Day, New York.” pic.twitter.com/QcGr6lgAHE

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 15, 2026

… standing in front of a building that houses the “pied-à-terre” of Citadel CEO Ken Griffin. The smirking Mamdani personalizes his attacks on property by singling out Griffin (Alinsky Rule 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it) and making the claim that That Richie-Rich POS ain’t paying his fair share! This isn’t just some incitement for Zohran’s groupies to dine on, but also seeks to threaten the people he wants to control.

He pulled the football and when Griffin complained, Zohran then did the Van Pelt Pivot — “Why you so mad, bro?”

In a separate press conference on deed theft, the mayor addressed the Griffin controversy, saying that “we all want this city to succeed.”

“As mayor, I will continue to work with business leaders, including Mr. Griffin, as partners in building a city that continues to be the economic engine not just of this state, but also of this country,”

Make no mistake, the mayor isn’t interested in any partnership with business leaders. He’s shown his commie cards more than once. His retreat from his threat is just a tactic. Like his latest flattery aimed at Griffin.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani built his political agenda by taking aim at billionaires. Now he’s praising one for backing the police.

Last week, Mamdani publicly thanked Citadel billionaire Ken Griffin for supporting police funding, a moment that flew somewhat under the radar but offered a glimpse into a more complicated dynamic between the hedge fund king and the socialist mayor.

“I want to thank everyone who is here with us in the Hall of Heroes today, with special thanks to Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch and NYPD leadership,” Mamdani said at One Police Plaza, speaking before department brass and families of slain officers.

“I also want to thank Ken Griffin for funding a memorial wall that will open later this year,” he added.

I don’t know who finds this “complicated”. This playbook was written by Vladmir “let them sell us the rope” Lenin and while the USSR eventually failed, today’s collectivists just figure it was from lack of vision. And Mamdani certainly isn’t lacking in tell us what he really wants. Just think of this threaten Griffin, flatter Griffin as Number 12-A of Alinsky rules.

Certainly Griffin, who broadly hinted he might pull his business out of NYC, is now retreating to a well, maybe I should have a little more trust stance ala Charlie Brown. He’s announced he’s going to go whine to Governor Hochul who, undoubtedly, will convince him that Mamdani really means well. She’ll have a chance to flatter Griffin, too.

And he’ll stick around for the next football teed up and, when betrayed again, will be surprised and saddened.

Lather, rinse, repeat until Robert Heinlein’s Bad Luck sinks it all.

UPDATE: Welcome Instapundit readers.

featured image original graphic by Darleen Click