Days after reports claimed Taylor Swift cost New York taxpayers a tune of USD 1 million for hosting her star-studded wedding to Travis Kelce in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stepped up to set the record straight.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that Taylor Swift has paid NYC
Speaking in a press conference last Friday, Mamdani was questioned on whether the singer will pay the city for the cost of his wedding on July 3 at Madison Square Garden. Amid public criticism of the cost of policing the high-profile event, Mamdani confirmed that Taylor had ‘repaid’ the city. “Taylor Swift will pay … already paid the cost of the permit that was lodged, which is over USD 160,000 for the event and for the response to the event. And that was a permit that was finalized in the days just before the event itself,” said Mamdani in a video posted by CSPAN.Watch: Mayor Zohran Mamdani defends Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift paid USD 160,000 for the permit
When asked if the USD 160,000 only covers the permit fee or also includes overtime costs for the New York Police Department (NYPD), the mayor clarified that the amount refers to the permit fee.Speaking of the city’s approach to hosting major events, Mamdani said, “Now, if this summer, as you heard from State Senator Gonzales, it’s a summer where we not only have a state championship for 53 years, the World Cup, our country’s 250th anniversary, a number of what are historical and generational terms that will be clear there in the events of the city that we can clarify in historical events and generations. However, that should not limit a New Yorker’s ability to go to the park, with a BBQ, which has many things to fear at first.
About the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Swift and Kelce tied the knot on Friday in a lavish ceremony at Madison Square Garden. The ceremony was reportedly attended by nearly 1,000 guests, including many A-list celebrities from Hollywood, music, sports, television and other family and close friends. For the event, the singer reportedly asked for permission to close some roads and take detailed security measures to ensure privacy for the wedding, which took place on one of the poorest weekends.Media reports estimate that the multi-day wedding celebrations cost anywhere between USD 15 million and USD 20 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity weddings in recent years.