Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked New Yorkers to set their air conditioner thermostats at 78-degrees during a heat wave.
The temperature in New York City is expected to soar to 100-degrees by Friday. But Mamdani asked residents to turn their AC up to 78 to protect the power grid.
He said lives are at risk if the power grid fails and there are blackouts.
“New York: it’s hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool,” Mamdani wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. “Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you’re not using, and unplug what you can.”
New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool.
Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can.
Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings,…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 1, 2026
New Yorkers roasted Mamdani in the comments. They called the mayor a “communist”. Many NYers shared images of their thermostats set well below 78.
“78 degrees??? Welcome to communism people! Hope you enjoy!” wrote Barstool founder, Dave Portnoy.
Another X.com user wrote: “As a New Yorker I’ll be setting my AC to 62 degrees for the foreseeable future as a direct retaliation to your authority.”
A third person directed their comment to the mayor: “Nobody believes you have your thermostat set at 78 degrees.”
A fourth person shared a photo of Times Square ablaze in lights.
Everyone turn your AC to 78 in order to conserve energy.
Times Square: pic.twitter.com/5kZUSACrho
— Josh Sisley (@joshsisley) July 1, 2026
My AC in the free state of South Carolina is set to 69 right now and the door is open so my dog can watch for invading communists, like yourself, in comfort. pic.twitter.com/r6LZhdood4
— Good Shepherd Nika (@TheGoodShep45) July 1, 2026
What’s the setting for Madison Square Garden for Taylor Swift’s wedding?
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) July 2, 2026