Mothers living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side are caught up in a heated Facebook debate regarding the recent mayoral election of Zoran Mamdani.
This online tussle became newsworthy when left-leaning New York magazine highlighted the feud between two private chat groups: Moms of the Upper East Side (MUES) and UES Mommas.
As the votes were still being tallied, many affluent residents, who had previously supported Andrew Cuomo by a significant margin, expressed panic online, claiming they were ready to move, fearing that Mamdani’s Democratic socialist policies might transform New York into something reminiscent of Germany in the 1930s.
“For the love of New York City, I can’t believe over 50% of the city voted for this Joker,” a visibly frustrated mom lamented on the MUES group, which boasts over 35,000 members and is usually a space for discussing childcare, schools, and similar topics.
“Curious who is actually leaving? Where are you going, Florida?” others inquired.
Reports indicated that more than 300 residents were contemplating relocations to New Jersey or Florida after Mamdani’s win.
Meanwhile, some media accused the mayor-elect of proposing free bus services that could potentially endanger passengers. However, responses on Facebook challenged these claims, accusing opponents of being overly sensitive and Islamophobic.
“Just being angry because the new mayor is Muslim is racist,” one council member commented.
April, a member of MUES, told New York magazine that she believed many of the complaints were insincere and doubted that most people would actually leave Manhattan. “No, you’re not (moving),” she insisted. “Just relax.”
Jewish activist Samantha Etas, though not part of the Upper East Side groups, expressed her concern, stating that Mamdani’s election will be detrimental for New York City. She noted that while some mothers hesitated to discuss their views post-article, many were apprehensive about being portrayed unfairly.
The debate has reached a boiling point, prompting MUES administrators to introduce new guidelines urging members not to threaten or attack one another.
“While anonymous (or ever), please do not attack or threaten other members,” they cautioned.
On a calmer note, some users advocated for unity, calling for a collective approach to the situation.
Among those speaking out was Robin Reiter, a single mother from the Upper East Side. She voiced her concerns on MUES, stating, “I am literally horrified that a mayor who does not condemn Hamas… is currently running a city with the second largest Jewish population in the world.” She shared a feeling of moral conflict about paying taxes in a city that elected someone whom many claim poses a threat.
She contemplated moving to Hoboken, New Jersey, citing safety concerns for her son.
Reiter expressed dissatisfaction with how she was depicted in the article, feeling it oversimplified her situation and made her sound privileged, saying she had to privatize her social media due to the backlash received after the article’s publication.
“Instead of portraying me (and others) as a smart, hard-working Jewish woman concerned for her son’s safety, the article depicted me as a hysterical rich woman having a meltdown,” she reflected.
MUES moderator Valerie Iovino shared similar sentiments, criticizing the portrayal of the group in the magazine. “They flattened the entire community into a two-dimensional image,” she stated, emphasizing the group’s diversity regarding political views, religious backgrounds, and socioeconomic status.
This digital conflict has left many Upper East Side mothers hesitant to publicly share their political stances.
When approached by reporters seeking comments, one mother, dressed in stylish activewear, expressed disdain for Mamdani but did not wish to be quoted. “I hate that man,” she muttered as she hurried off.
Despite the reluctance of some, there are others willing to vocalize their opinions. Samantha Etas, while not a member of the discussed Facebook groups, aligns herself with critics of Mamdani, warning that the current climate mirrors troubling historical patterns for Jews globally.
Accusations and discussions on the new mayor aren’t just confined to the Upper East Side. Even in the typically liberal Upper West Side, some members of the UWS Mamamas group have been reaching out to others considering a move from New York, with suggestions for real estate assistance in Florida.
