Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum clashed with Democratic Socialists of America co-chair Gustavo Gordillo during a Friday interview after he argued that landlords should not expect double-digit returns on their investments, sparking a pointed exchange over capitalism, property ownership and profit.
The debate unfolded on Fox News’ “The Story,” where MacCallum questioned Gordillo about his criticism of New York City landlords. During the discussion, Gordillo claimed landlords were complaining that a 12% return on investment was insufficient, though he did not specify whether he was referring to an annual return or another measurement.
MacCallum responded by asking what she viewed as the central question behind his criticism.
“How much should they make?” she asked. “What’s fair for the landlord to make, if you don’t like 12?”
Gordillo replied that landlords were seeking returns that his organization believes are excessive.
“They’re complaining that 12 is not enough, and we don’t think that anyone should have a constitutional right to double digit returns on their investment,” he said.
MacCallum appeared surprised by the response and immediately challenged the premise.
“No one should have a double digit return on their investment?” she asked.
Gordillo doubled down on his position while arguing that no such guarantee exists.
“No one has a right! That’s not in the Constitution,” he responded.
MacCallum reacted with visible disbelief.
“What are you talking about?!” she replied.
Rather than softening his position, Gordillo continued defending his argument, maintaining that landlords should not expect such returns while criticizing those opposing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to implement rent freezes.
According to Gordillo, landlords were “crying” about Mamdani’s housing policies.
MacCallum acknowledged that landlords vary widely in how they operate, saying some are poor property owners while others provide quality housing. However, she argued that property owners are ultimately investing with the expectation of earning a profit.
The exchange highlighted the broader divide between free-market principles and the economic policies advocated by the Democratic Socialists of America.
The article also noted uncertainty surrounding Gordillo’s claim regarding landlord returns. It stated that most rent-measuring websites estimate New York City landlords receive annual returns of approximately 5%, rather than the 12% figure Gordillo referenced during the interview.
Gordillo’s appearance came amid growing attention on socialist candidates following a series of Democratic primary victories over the past month.
Among those candidates are Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York, both of whom are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The article noted that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is also a DSA member, endorsed both Chevalier and Valdez during their primary campaigns.
In addition to their shared economic views, the article stated that both candidates agree with Mamdani that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished.
As the interview continued, MacCallum expressed broader concerns about the economic philosophy she believed Gordillo was promoting.
“I just think that the idea that no one should make a double digit profit is the antithesis of the desire to like, you can be anything you want to be in New York,” she said.
The discussion underscored the ideological differences between the Fox News host and the DSA leader, with MacCallum defending the role of investment and profit in a market economy while Gordillo argued that landlords should not expect what he described as double-digit investment returns. The exchange reflected the larger debate surrounding housing policy, rent regulation and the growing influence of democratic socialist candidates in New York politics.
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