Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Mamdani’s Influencer Network Draws Scrutiny Over Access and Payments
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration works with many social media creators.
The creators can receive information and talking points before they are shared publicly.
They communicate through a private Signal group.
The group began with creators who supported Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.
Some creators say they help reach people who do not follow traditional local news.
Critics worry that the arrangement is too private and may make it hard to know who is being paid.
A newspaper found that a city agency had spent more than $100,000 this year on an unspecified social media campaign.
Mamdani said the administration must follow rules for keeping official records.
He also said the city would investigate and correct any violations.
A Columbia Journalism Review investigation identified more than 200 creators connected to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration.
The network uses a Signal group to share talking points, advance information, and materials for social media posts.
Some creators have received payments from city agencies for specific messaging campaigns, though not necessarily for routine coverage.
Critics question whether private Signal communications comply with city record-keeping rules and whether payments are adequately disclosed.
The mayor said his administration would comply with legal requirements and investigate any departures from them.
- Who
- Zohran Mamdani’s administration, more than 200 social media creators, city agencies, and critics including Citizens Union Executive Director Grace Rauh.
- What
- An influencer network gives creators access, advance information, talking points, and campaign materials; questions have been raised about payments, disclosure, and record-keeping.
- When
- The Columbia Journalism Review article was published on 31 August; Mamdani addressed the controversy on Wednesday.
- Where
- New York City, primarily through a private Signal group and social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram.
- Why
- The administration says it has a responsibility to communicate with New Yorkers through social media and content creators.
Administration and Supporters’ Rationale
Critics’ Concerns
Using influencers for public communication
Administration and Supporters’ Rationale
The administration says it must reach New Yorkers through television, radio, social media, and content creators. Some creators say they fill gaps left by weakened local news.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics say the creators may not ask adversarial questions or conduct tough investigative reporting, making the network different from a conventional press list.
Private Signal communications
Administration and Supporters’ Rationale
The administration said it would strive to comply with all legal requirements governing the preservation of city records.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics, including Grace Rauh, questioned whether conducting official communications privately on an encrypted Signal group could conflict with local record-keeping laws.
Payments and disclosure
Administration and Supporters’ Rationale
The mayor’s office said it had never paid a content creator for collaboration or content production, while CJR said creators in the Signal group were not paid for their coverage.
Critics’ Concerns
CJR reported that some creators received payments from city agencies for specific campaigns, and the New York Post reported more than $100,000 in Department of Social Services spending, raising questions about undisclosed recipients.
- Network size
- CJR identified more than 200 influencers connected to the administration; its compiled list contained 189 creators.
- Communication channel
- The network uses a Signal group that grew out of Creators4Zohran.
- Creator reach
- The group includes micro-influencers with 5,000 to 10,000 followers and creators with millions of followers.
- Payments
- CJR reported that creators were not paid by the city for routine coverage, while some received payments from city agencies for specific campaigns.
- Reported spending
- The New York Post said its review found that the Department of Social Services had spent more than $100,000 this year on an unspecified social media campaign.
- Main legal concern
- Critics questioned whether official communications on the encrypted Signal group comply with local record-keeping requirements.
- Mayor’s response
- Mamdani said his administration would comply with legal requirements and take corrective action if violations were found.