Mamdani's taxpayer-funded influencer army accused of plotting pressure campaign against NYC CEOs

By Fox News · Fox News

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. Mamdani's network of social media creators working for him first drew scrutiny earlier this month after the Columbia Journalism Review revealed that City Hall was communicating with more than 200 influencers through an encrypted Signal group called "NYC Creators Announcements." Fox News Digital subsequently reported that members receive daily talking points, videos and other updates from the administration, while also being offered access to events and city officials. MAMDANI’S ‘MASS ENGAGEMENT’ OFFICE DRAWS FIRE OVER PLANS TO BUILD INFLUENCE BEYOND CITY HALL: ‘NYC IS DONE’ Now, two sources briefed on the effort told the New York Post that senior City Hall aides have discussed mobilizing the influencer network against New York business executives, including leaders of the Partnership for New York City, an influential nonprofit representing the city's business leaders and largest employers. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Related Companies CEO Jeff Blau have also been floated as potential targets, according to the Post. The reported strategy centers on "blindsid[ing]" 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." "They want to punch Fulop in the face," the source told The Post. Fulop, however, told Fox News he personally spoke with Mamdani after the report and that the mayor, his communications director and political director all denied plans to target business executives. Fulop said the Partnership would take Mamdani "at his word" while remaining "vigilant and watchful" but noted if he continued down this path there could be…