Days after reports surfaced that Taylor Swift cost New York taxpayers $1 million by hosting her star-studded wedding to Travis Kelce in New York City, Mayor Zoran Mamdani has set the record straight.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirms Taylor Swift paid New York City
At a press conference on Friday, Mamdani was asked whether the singer would reimburse the city for the cost of her July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden. Amid criticism of the public cost of sustaining the high-profile event, Mamdani confirmed Taylor “has already paid the city.” “Taylor Swift will pay … the fees for the submitted license, which exceeds $160,000, for the campaign and in response to the campaign. This was a license that was finalized days before the event,” Mamdani said in a video posted by CSPAN.WATCH: Mayor Zohran Mamdani defends Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift paid $160,000 for license
When asked whether the $160,000 covers only permit fees or also New York Police Department (NYPD) overtime, the mayor clarified that the amount refers to permit fees.Speaking about the city’s approach to hosting large-scale events, Mamdani said: “Now, when it comes to this summer, as you heard from State Senator Gonzalez, in this summer we have not only hosted our 53rd year of state championships, the World Cup, our nation’s 250th anniversary, and a lot of historic and generational events. We have made it clear that there are going to be limits on what the city can do. However, this won’t limit New Yorkers’ ability to go to parks, have barbecues, and do many of the things they were initially afraid of. “
About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding
Swift and Kelce tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Friday. The ceremony was reportedly attended by approximately 1,000 guests, including several A-list celebrities from Hollywood, music, sports, television, as well as other family members and close friends. The singer reportedly sought permission to close certain roads for the event and instituted complex security measures to ensure privacy for the wedding, which took place on one of the busiest weekends.Media reports estimated the multi-day wedding festivities cost between $15 million and $20 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings in recent years.