New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is gathering an “influencer army” to build popular support for his plans to tax the rich, according to a new report.
The New York Post reported this week that Mamdani’s closest City Hall advisers, known as the bullpen, are coordinating with roughly 200 influencers through Democratic Socialists of America Signal groups and looking to coordinate a public relations campaign stirring up anger against top New York CEOs. To help garner support with a new taxation effort targeting the rich, the group is looking to target the leaders at the Partnership for New York City, the city and state’s top business advocacy group.
Kathryn Wylde retired as CEO of the group last year after a quarter-century in power, succeeded by former Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. According to the New York Post, the bullpen is looking to “blindside” Fulop with a new blitz of attacks, which he’ll presumably be unable to effectively counter as he’s “inexperienced.”
“They want to punch Fulop in the face,” the source told the outlet. “Kathy Wylde knew the ropes. Fulop is new, so there’s never been a better opportunity to go at CEOs. More attacks are planned against the executive board of the Partnership throughout the rest of this year.”
Another floated target is Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, who serves as co-chair of the business group’s board of trustees. Some in the bullpen have suggested attacking him over drug prices.
Another reported idea was to sabotage the $2 billion Hudson Yards expansion, led by Related Companies CEO Jeff Blau, though how they would go about this wasn’t elaborated on in the report.
The ringleaders of the “digital drive-by operation,” as the New York Post described efforts coordinated by the bullpen and influencer army, are Office of Mass Engagement Commissioner Tascha Van Auken and New Media and Cultural Communications Director Emilia Rowland. But others aren’t so sure of how effective the effort could actually be.
“Do they seriously think [JPMorgan Chase CEO] Jamie Dimon, who is responsible for overseeing $5 trillion in assets, is going to buckle because a few teenagers are pressuring him on TikTok?” a Democratic insider told the outlet.
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The details of the story were all denied by Mamdani’s office, with Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec saying, “This is categorically false. The New York Post is publishing a complete lie.”
Mamdani’s ambitious plans to levy taxes against the rich to pay for his socialist plans for the city have repeatedly hit legal roadblocks, most recently with his pied-à-terre tax scheme, an annual surcharge on homes valued above $5 million when there is no primary New York City resident present.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
