New York media reports allege that senior aides to Mayor Zohran Mamdani discussed using a City Hall-connected network of social media influencers to pressure prominent business leaders. The claims matter because the network has already raised questions about how the city uses public messaging and whether official communications can be properly accessed and preserved.

The New York Post, citing two people briefed on the discussions, reported that possible targets included the Partnership for New York City, Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla and Related Companies chief executive Jeff Blau. Partnership chief Steven Fulop said Mamdani and senior aides denied any plan to target executives; the mayor’s spokesperson called the report false. City Hall’s influencer group reportedly includes more than 200 creators and uses a Signal chat, while watchdog Reinvent Albany has called for clearer rules on preserving messages and disclosing paid influencer promotions. Mamdani has also advocated higher taxes on high earners and corporations, though the proposals were not included in this year’s budget.