Are Bidets Better For Butt Health? Mayor Mamdani's Gracie Mansion Plan Has Internet Flush With Takes

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani got everyone talking following a January 12, 2026, press conference he held right outside of his brand-new residence, Gracie Mansion. When asked about any plans he and his wife, first lady Rama Duwaji, had for changing the official mayoral residence, Mamdani confessed that the couple hoped to have a few bidets installed. "That's an aspirational hope. We'll see if we can actually get it done," he added (via YouTube). Later, he clarified his comments during an appearance on ABC 7 New York, explaining that he was imagining something like a "$25" handheld device "that you hook on the side of the toilet" (via YouTube). Meanwhile, a spokesperson confirmed to the New York Times that they had already begun the installation process at the mayor's mansion. 

Still, many of Mamdani's constituents and the internet as a whole were left flush with their own hot takes about the plumbing fixture tasked with showering one's undercarriage, and ultimately begging the question: are bidets really better for butt health? As it turns out, when used properly, not only are bidets sanitary and reduce the biggest risks of wiping wrong, they're also better for the environment, harkening back to the days before people used toilet paper. (Mamdani is big on environmental justice, sustainability, and climate action, so this tracks.)

According to proctologist and surgeon Evan Goldstein, M.D., a big proponent of bidets, the plumbing fixtures are a no-brainer. "From a hygiene perspective, it just clearly makes sense," he told The Washington Post in 2021. "You're able to get rid of any extra residual that's there. The bidet has always been part and parcel to a*** hygiene."

Meanwhile, gastroenterologist Christine Lee, M.D., is also in favor of bidets over toilet paper, citing that they are a much gentler option on delicate skin and a pleasant alternative for those who routinely experience hemorrhoids. Still, she cautions users that it's important to regularly and thoroughly clean them, being careful to adhere to the directions and guidelines as stated in the bidet's user manual. "Proper operation is important," Lee told the Cleveland Clinic in March 2023. "If the water heater malfunctions, the water could deliver scalding hot or shockingly cold water," she explained. According to Lee, failing to clean the bidet properly could also spell disaster for the users. "If bacteria or virus particles get into the water tank or on the nozzle, everyone who uses it can be exposed," she noted. "Don't touch the tip of the nozzle to your body and follow the manufacturer's manual. Keeping the bidet clean and properly maintained is key."