As a record heat wave slammed the U.S. East Coast, U.S. politics clashed over New York City's air conditioner power‑saving advisory. Republicans lashed out as "communism" at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plea to "set air conditioners to 25.6 degrees (78 degrees Fahrenheit)."
The trigger was a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Mamdani on the 1st local time. He wrote, "New York: it's too hot. The power grid is running around the clock to keep us cool. Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, turn off lights and electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our city is doing our best."
On the 2nd, the next day, New York's daytime high soared to 38 degrees, marking the record high since July 18, 2012. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the heat wave is expected to continue through the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Hard‑line Republicans immediately criticized Mamdani. Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.) said on X it was "(unfortunately) evidence that communism is still alive," and Sen. Rick Scott (R‑Fla.) also wrote on X, "This is how communism works."
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R‑S.C.) said, "A democratic socialist is coming after air conditioners." Former Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also piled on with mockery, saying, respectively, "Welcome to socialism" and "the warmth of collectivism."
Foreign media analyzed that Republicans' reaction was a political move to block candidates from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), who have recently gained ground in places like New York.
However, their offensive also drew criticism as hypocrisy. It emerged that even Florida, a Republican stronghold, last month advised residents to set summer air conditioners to the same 25.6 degrees.
According to congressional news outlet The Hill, the U.S. Department of Energy had also recommended an appropriate indoor temperature of 75–78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the guidance was later removed from the department's website.