Senior officials in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration are reportedly devising a coordinated social media pressure campaign targeting some of the city’s most influential business leaders. They aim to mobilize an influencer network of over 200 individuals managed through City Hall.
This network, which started attracting attention earlier this month, was highlighted in a report by the Columbia Journalism Review. It revealed that City Hall was in communication with more than 200 influencers via an encrypted group on Signal called “NYC Creators Announcements.”
According to Fox News Digital, these influencers receive daily updates, including talking points and videos, from the administration along with exclusive access to events and city officials.
Now, two sources familiar with the situation told the New York Post that City Hall aides have discussed activating the influencer network against prominent New York executives, notably those affiliated with the Partnership for New York City, a powerful nonprofit that represents major business leaders and employers.
Potential targets, as mentioned by the Post, include Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies.
The strategy reportedly focuses on “blindsiding” Partnership for New York City President and CEO Steven Fulop, who assumed the role earlier this year. One insider was quoted as saying aides saw the leadership change as a chance to confront CEOs directly.
“They want to punch Fulop in the face,” claimed the source.
In response, Fulop told Fox News that he had a conversation with Mamdani following the report, where the mayor, along with his communications and political directors, denied any intentions to target business leaders. He indicated that while they would take Mamdani at his word, they would remain “vigilant and watchful,” warning that pursuing such tactics could have negative consequences.
Mamdani’s spokesperson, Dora Pekec, dismissed the Post’s claims as “categorically false” and “a complete lie,” although she did not clarify specific inaccuracies in the article.
The administration’s use of influencers on Signal had already faced scrutiny prior to the New York Post’s latest report. A government watchdog group, Reinvent Albany, advocates for transparency and accountability and supports using paid social media influencers to publicize government programs. However, they oppose government officials using instant messaging platforms like Signal for official purposes. They expressed concerns before the New York City Council about the current lack of systems for archiving communications from such applications.
The alleged plan to target NYC CEOs emerges amid Mamdani’s ongoing push for increased taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations as part of his strategy to address the city’s budget deficits. Earlier this year, he called for a 2% increase in personal income tax for New Yorkers earning $1 million or more, alongside a rise in corporate tax rates. While these proposals were not included in the current budget, Mamdani has continued to advocate for them.
“I’ve been very open and honest about my vision, whether it be fast and free buses or whether it be higher personal income taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers or the most profitable corporations,” Mamdani stated in May.
The mayor did manage to implement a new pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes owned by non-residents that is expected to generate around $500 million annually. However, this measure recently faced a legal challenge when a Staten Island judge ordered the administration to halt its initial launch and restart the process due to procedural errors. The ruling didn’t invalidate the tax itself, but Mamdani’s team is committed to continuing efforts to secure the surcharge.
Matt Rauschenbach, a spokesperson for Mamdani, defended this additional tax, asserting it reflects a “basic principle of fairness” since owners of luxury homes should contribute to the services they utilize in the city.
