Mayor Mamdani mobilizes 200-member influencer team to target NYC CEOs over tax plan

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is allegedly organizing a taxpayer-funded “influencer army” of roughly 200 staff to conduct a coordinated smear campaign against leading New York CEOs. Advisors in the City Hall bullpen are said to be preparing attacks on executives from the Partnership for New York City, with particular focus on its new chief Steve Fulop, as well as Pfizer’s Albert Bourla and Related Companies’ Jeff Blau over issues like drug pricing and a $2 billion Hudson Yards project.

The effort is part of Mamdani’s push to close a projected $13.2 billion fiscal gap by raising the top personal income tax to 16.8 percent and increasing the corporate tax rate to 11.5 percent. Office of Mass Engagement Director Tascha Van Auken and New Media Director Emilia Rowland are directing the digital operation, which has already tested tactics with a public stunt at hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin’s Central Park South penthouse.

Business leaders such as JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon have warned the plan could accelerate corporate exodus to lower-tax states. The campaign has drawn attention from state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, whose donors include some of the targeted CEOs.