Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s close associates are organizing a series of coordinated attacks against prominent New York CEOs, utilizing the mayor’s sizable “influencer army” to criticize business leaders in hopes of gaining traction for his fiscal agenda, according to information obtained by The Post.
Sources familiar with the situation indicated that Mamdani’s primary advisers, referred to as the bullpen due to their collaborative workspace, are targeting senior executives not long after a contentious exchange with Citadel founder Ken Griffin.
These insiders suggest that the self-proclaimed democratic socialists are focusing on executives from the Partnership for New York City, particularly aiming to take advantage of a leadership change at this key business advocacy group earlier this year.
Earlier reports highlighted Mamdani’s plans to unveil his tax-the-rich strategy in the fall, viewed as a means to secure substantial funding from the state at the beginning of 2027.
No wealthy individual is exempt from scrutiny.
It’s been reported that this left-leaning campaign has already considered targeting Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding drug pricing issues, as well as Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, over the $2 billion Hudson Yards expansion project.
One source indicated, “They’re brainstorming ways to confront these leaders. Anyone with wealth is a potential target. There’s a list of strategies prepared for the mayor.”
The primary tactic appears to be an attempt to “blindside” the new CEO of the Partnership, former Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop, who took over from Kathryn Wylde. They perceive him as less experienced and thus more vulnerable.
A source claimed, “They want to hit Fulop hard. Kathy Wylde understood the landscape, but Fulop is new, creating a prime opportunity to challenge these CEOs. Expect more assaults on the executive board in the coming months.”
Coordinated through Democratic Socialists of America groups, the campaign aims to systematically undermine influential figures as the mayor seeks to address a projected budget shortfall, which is expected to reach $13.2 billion by fiscal year 2028, as per the Citizens Budget Commission.
Mamdani is under pressure to find additional revenue sources to fill this financial gap, including a proposed tax increase for individuals earning over $1 million.
One insider questioned whether there’s any real belief that leaders like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who manage vast assets, would yield to pressure from a few activists on social media.
The timing of this initiative could create complications for Governor Kathy Hochul, particularly as she faces a challenge from Republican Bruce Blakeman, who is gaining ground in the polls.
Bourla has previously supported Hochul’s campaign for governor, and Pfizer’s political action committee has contributed significantly to state Democratic funds, as noted in election records.
Ryan Adams, a managing director at a consulting firm, commented on the current political landscape, suggesting Hochul is viewed favorably, but he added that this perception might shift if she is forced to confront criticisms about her supporters.
If passed in Albany, the combined top tax rate for New York’s wealthiest could reach 16.8%, marking the highest in the country. Additionally, Mamdani aims to increase the corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5%.
The administration’s strategy is spearheaded by senior aides, including Office of Mass Engagement Director Tascha Van Auken and Emilia Rowland, the Director of New Media and Cultural Communications.
Van Auken, an experienced DSA organizer, significantly influenced Mamdani’s campaign efforts, while Rowland, a former press secretary, shaped the mayor’s approach to social media.
Sources remarked that they have a clear plan to confront CEOs as they advocate for substantial tax increases, alleging that the attention-grabbing Tax Day stunt targeting Ken Griffin was a strategic test to gauge reactions.
The Post has sought comments from both City Hall and the Partnership for New York regarding these developments.
This unpublicized state-backed smear initiative may unsettle the city’s business sector.
After Mamdani’s earlier video promoting a pied-à-terre tax, Griffin, who also has a primary office in Miami, rebuffed the attack, calling it a “creepy and weird” assault that put his safety at risk.
The hedge fund billionaire even mentioned his concerns about pulling back from a significant development project in Park Avenue, highlighting a growing alarm among major financial players due to the hostile environment and impending taxes.
Dimon confronted Mamdani in a private meeting in May and subsequently cautioned that mayors can fail dramatically when their ideology blinds them to real-world policies.
He has repeatedly warned that the mayor’s aggressive tax strategy could lead to a significant corporate departure to states with lower taxes.
“People make choices based on their circumstances,” Dimon noted in his annual letter to shareholders. “There’s already evidence of a considerable movement of people and jobs out of states with high taxes.”
