De Blasio Denies Claims in Times of London Article
Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio labeled a recent article from the Times of London about mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani as “false and fabricated.”
“I want to be completely clear: the article from the London Times is entirely misleading and untrue. I just learned about it, and I’m appalled. I have never spoken to that reporter or made any such statements. Those quotes do not belong to me and don’t represent my views,” de Blasio remarked on social platform X.
His post also included a link to the Times article, which he said had been inaccurately reported.
The New York Times shared that the Times of London published an article where de Blasio supposedly criticized Mamdani’s policy proposals. However, de Blasio contended that he had not communicated with the Times, asserting that the reported statements were fabricated.
“I’m taken aback,” de Blasio said. “It’s entirely made up.”
Shortly after its release, The Times pulled the article, explaining that their reporter had been misled by an impersonator pretending to be de Blasio.
In another post on X, de Blasio requested, “@thetimes please remove this story immediately.”
This situation, he noted, represents a grave breach of journalistic ethics. “The truth is, I fully support @ZohranKMamdani and believe his vision is both necessary and achievable,” he added.
A spokesperson for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who’s running for mayor as an independent, commented on de Blasio’s endorsement of Mamdani. Cuomo’s campaign representative, Rich Azzopardi, said de Blasio had examined Mamdani’s “fine print” and noted it was merely “glitz and atmosphere.”
The Hill has reached out to the Times of London for a statement.
De Blasio voiced his support for Mamdani as he campaigns for leadership in America’s largest city. In a September editorial, The New York Daily News highlighted Mamdani’s persistent challenge against a “growing unmanageable status quo,” lauding New York state lawmakers for advocating “bold, sweeping actions” like a rent freeze, universal child care for young children, and free city bus services.
Despite obtaining considerable support from many New Yorkers, others remain doubtful about the city government’s capacity to not only discuss, but also deliver on these promises. “They want to know one fundamental thing: Can it get done?” de Blasio stated in an op-ed, adding, “I can say for certain, and I know better than anyone, that the answer is yes.”
