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NYC Mayor's Influencer Army Accused of Plotting Pressure Campaign Against CEOs
Developing
In Short: Senior aides in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration are reportedly plotting a coordinated social media pressure campaign against some of the city's most powerful business leaders, according to a new report by the New York Post.
The campaign would mobilize a network of over 200 social media influencers to push a tax agenda against the city's business executives, including leaders of the Partnership for New York City, an influential nonprofit representing the city's largest employers.
The reported strategy centers on blindsiding Partnership for New York City President and CEO Steven Fulop, who took over the organization earlier this year, with one source telling the Post that aides viewed the leadership transition as an opportunity to 'go at CEOs.
Reinvent Albany, a government watchdog focused on transparency and accountability, has expressed support for city agencies using paid social media influencers to promote government programs but opposes city officials using instant-messaging apps such as Signal for official communications.
The watchdog has called for legislation clarifying that electronic and instant messages constituting public records must be preserved and easily retrievable, while also proposing disclosure requirements for influencers paid to promote city messaging.
The Mamdani administration's use of influencers and Signal had already drawn scrutiny before the latest report this week from the New York Post.
Partnership for New York City CEO Steven Fulop joins 'America Reports' to discuss the New York Post article about the social media campaign by Mamdani's team targeting top business leaders to push a tax agenda.
What's still developing
- Senior officials in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration are reportedly plotting a coordinated social media pressure campaign against some of the city's most powerful business leaders, looking to mobilize a 200-plus influencer network run through City Hall.
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is giving special access to a network of more than 200 social media influencers who take City Hall talking points and videos to promote municipal programs online to residents, according to a new report.