Supporters of President Donald Trump on May 13 upstaged a Green New Deal press conference featuring progressive New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
De Blasio, who had previously vowed to outlaw glass-and-steel skyscrapers, scheduled the conference at the Trump Tower, a glass-and-steel tower in New York City’s Midtown.
Television footage of the event shows Trump fans upstaging the speakers by riding on the escalators behind the podium and holding signs with messages like “Failed Mayor,” “Worst Mayor Ever” and “Trump 2020.”
The Green New Deal is a socialist policy calling for the United States to stop using fossil fuels in 12 years. Trump has frequently lambasted the policy. According to one cost estimate, the Green New Deal could cost American taxpayers up to $93 trillion over the course of the Soviet-style 10-year mobilization called for in the proposal.
As supporters of the Green New Deal chanted “our planet. not your profit,” de Blasio called the policy “bold” and “necessary.”
“Our message is loud and clear,” de Blasio said in a statement. “We’re tackling climate change head-on with NYC’s Green New Deal and are the first city in the world to require all big buildings to cut their emissions, with the goal of a carbon neutral city by 2050. President Trump, you’re on notice. Your polluting buildings are part of the problem. Cut your emissions or pay the price.”
With the exception of Joe Biden, every leading Democratic 2020 contender backs the Green New Deal. Communist Party USA and the Democratic Socialists of America also support the policy.
The speakers at Trump Tower blared loud music as de Blasio spoke. The lobby of the building is considered a public space during a portion of each day.
“It’s so nice of them to serenade us at Trump Tower. Clearly, they are uncomfortable with the truth,” de Blasio said.
A Quinnipiac University Poll last month found that an overwhelming majority, 76 percent of New York City voters, believe de Blasio shouldn’t run for president. Meanwhile, only 18 percent said he should.
The Green New Deal is not de Blasio’s only socialist idea.
In January, he announced a health care plan to cover an estimated 600,000 residents, including illegal aliens. The mayor touted the program as a step toward universal health care, a socialist policy, which would virtually eliminate the private health insurance industry.
In his 2019 State of the City speech, he called for a Marxist-style redistribution of wealth.
“Brothers and sisters, there’s plenty of money in the world. There’s plenty of money in this city. It’s just in the wrong hands,” he said. “You deserve a city that gives you the share of prosperity that you have earned.”
Trump has singled out de Blasio for criticism on multiple occasions before becoming president and once referred to him as “the worst mayor in history.”
