{"id":2630591,"date":"2026-07-16T10:56:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-watches-world-cup-semis-at-one-of-few-affordable-housing-locales-available-in-nyc-jail\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T11:02:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T15:02:36","slug":"mamdani-watches-world-cup-semis-at-one-of-few-affordable-housing-locales-available-in-nyc-jail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-watches-world-cup-semis-at-one-of-few-affordable-housing-locales-available-in-nyc-jail\/","title":{"rendered":"Mamdani Watches World Cup Semis at One of Few Affordable Housing Locales Available in NYC: Jail"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmamdani-watches-world-cup-semis-at-one-of-few-affordable-housing-locales-available-in-nyc-jail%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2630591&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani&#8217;s activities during the World Cup, notably watching the Argentina versus England semifinal at Rikers Island with over 100 inmates. Despite rising rents in the city, Mamdani managed to find affordable housing and participated in prison watch parties to foster inmate engagement and showcase programs that promote safety and recognize inmate humanity. The piece highlights the ongoing high housing costs in NYC, with median rents reaching record highs and a significant portion of residents being foreign-born, driven by the city\u2019s status as a sanctuary city. Mamdani has also pledged to close Rikers Island, though modernization efforts may not meet the 2027 deadline. Throughout, the article blends commentary on economic and social issues like housing affordability and incarceration reform with coverage of the soccer matches, including mamdani\u2019s comments on Argentina\u2019s performance and controversial refereeing decisions. The narrative combines political critique with human-interest elements and a lighthearted tone about the mayor enjoying the World Cup amidst the city\u2019s challenges.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Sure, rents are sky-high in Zohran Mamdani\u2019s New York City \u2014 the highest they ever have been. But say this for the soccer-loving mayor of the country\u2019s most populous city: He found some affordable housing to watch the World Cup semifinals.<\/p>\n<p>It may have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/transgender-male-inmate-rapes-woman-nycs-rikers-island-jail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rikers Island jail<\/a>, but hey: If you get sent there, the landlord isn\u2019t collecting rent.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/15\/us-news\/mamdani-takes-in-world-cup-semifinal-alongside-rikers-island-prisoners-during-inmate-watch-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Associated Press<\/a>, Mamdani \u2014 who\u2019s already faced criticism for his infamous \u201cwarmth of collectivism\u201d quote after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/warmth-collectivism-mamdani-asks-new-yorkers-turn-thermostats-ration-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">he urged New Yorkers<\/a> to turn their thermostats up to 78 during a recent heat wave \u2014 watched Argentina\u2019s thrilling 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday at a watch party in the city\u2019s notorious prison complex, along with over 100 inmates who qualified to watch with him due to model behavior.<\/p>\n<p>So, you know, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-banking-on-3-6-trillion-tax-increases-to-fund-agenda-plans\/\" title=\"Biden Banking On .6 Trillion Tax Increases To Fund Agenda Plans\">low-income housing<\/a>, but at least he was separated from the real riff-raff.<\/p>\n<p>From the AP:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>The inmates, dressed in tan uniforms, took seats at tables facing a large projection screen set up in a gymnasium. The jail has hosted about 90 such watch parties since the tournament kicked off last month, with about 4,500 of the roughly 6,600 inmates incarcerated on the 400-acre island participating, correction officials said.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cPrograms like this equal safety in our jail,\u201d said Stanley Richards, the city\u2019s correction commissioner and a former Rikers inmate. \u201cWhat we say to them is that your humanity is seen, heard and valued.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The scene Wednesday was in sharp contrast to complaints about Rikers Island that have been so bad in recent years that a federal judge appointed an outside manager to help improve the facility.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that Mamdani has also pledged to close the facility, in line with a 2019 city law, although the new facilities almost certainly won\u2019t be ready to meet a 2027 deadline to move to modern, borough-based facilities, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/07\/14\/nyregion\/rikers-deml-overhaul-plan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The New York Times<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>First opened in 1932, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/progressive-nyc-votes-close-rikers-island-reduce-jail-pop-half\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bronx-adjacent facility<\/a> in the East River is basically something straight out of Dickens. But at least if you get sent there, it\u2019s affordable.<\/p>\n<p>In Manhattan and Brooklyn, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/politics\/articles\/mamdani-ripped-over-record-high-171458046.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a> reported on Tuesday, median rents hit $5,295 and $4,350, respectively, the highest ever recorded.<\/p>\n<p>That data, from real estate firm the Corcoran Group, also noted that 38 percent of the city\u2019s residents were born outside of the United States and 40 percent of rentals went to foreign-born individuals. New York\u2019s data doesn\u2019t distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants, but you can probably figure out what\u2019s driving housing demand: The fact it\u2019s not only the nation\u2019s largest city but a sanctuary city, as well.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it also doesn\u2019t help that the mayor froze rents on rent-stabilized units earlier in the summer, which also had the effect of driving prices higher on non-regulated units:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">It might be hot outside but the rent is freezing. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EXPaI8emyv\">pic.twitter.com\/EXPaI8emyv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NYCMayor\/status\/2070492724697194665?\">June 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s almost as if basic economic realities, like Argentina\u2019s national soccer team, remain undefeated. How \u2019bout that.<\/p>\n<p>Mamdani didn\u2019t have time to talk about the rent issue with Fox News when his office was contacted Monday, but he did have time to talk soccer with some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/homeless-woman-reportedly-stabbed-mom-changing-baby-one-day-exiting-psych-ward\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rikers Island inmates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One of the inmates said that he expected Argentina to win over England and go onto the final against Spain \u2014 which is being held across the river in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou never know,\u201d said Mamdani \u2014 who made news for publicly ripping the video assistant referee overturning an Egypt goal that likely would have put Argentina away earlier in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\ud83d\udea8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7 NEW: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says that Egypt were \u201crobbed\u201d in yesterday\u2019s World Cup game against Argentina <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bigWXCN04q\">pic.twitter.com\/bigWXCN04q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PolitlcsGlobal\/status\/2074877119708987839?\">July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>To be fair, even blind squirrels can find a nut, although Egypt choking away a two-goal lead and losing 3-2 was entirely on the team, not the VAR. In England\u2019s choke-job on Wednesday, the team didn\u2019t need the VAR, just an abysmally defense-oriented strategy that tried to preserve a one-goal lead that didn\u2019t work. (Argentina tied it up in the 85th minute and then scored the winning goal two minutes into stoppage time.)<\/p>\n<p>And if the mayor and friends had to watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/algerian-soccer-commentator-jews-responsible-best-soccer-player-world-torching\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lionel Messi<\/a> and Co. score another improbable victory, at least they did it in style:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Thomas McCoy was among those simply relishing a rare treat: a catered meal. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >buffet spread included salad greens<\/a>, salmon, penne alla vodka and chicken parmesan, along with Snapple drinks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cIt\u2019s not a sports club, we can\u2019t get our drinks on and stuff like that. That\u2019s OK though,\u201d said the 52-year-old Brooklyn resident. \u201cI\u2019ve been locked up 21 months, so it\u2019s been a long time since I had real food like that. It was a wonderful experience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t all Argentina-bashing, either: Another man told the mayor that he was headed back to the outside world later in the day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s amazing,\u201d Mamdani said.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s nice to have freedom. Here\u2019s hoping he has someone who\u2019ll be willing to pay the rent or a job that allows him to throw away a few thousand a month on a median apartment price. Otherwise, he may be living outside of one of those buildings whose tenants are paying those record-high rent bills.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-mamdanis-opening-salvo-mayor-slams-american-individualism-praises-collectivism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The warmth of collectivism<\/a>, everyone!<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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