The plan to go viral
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inner circle is reportedly weaponizing a 200-strong “influencer army” to wage a digital war against the city’s top business leaders. According to sources, the mayor’s team—often called the “bullpen”—is planning to launch coordinated smear campaigns to drum up support for the mayor's push for new tax-and-spend policies.
Who’s in the crosshairs?
The targets? Senior executives at the Partnership for New York City. The administration is reportedly looking to capitalize on a leadership shift at the group, aiming to challenge the Partnership’s new CEO, Steve Fulop. Insiders say Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Related Companies CEO Jeff Blau are also being eyed for potential takedowns. It’s giving classic political theater, but with real-world stakes: the mayor is trying to fill a massive $13.2 billion budget gap projected for 2028.
The endgame
This isn't just random shade. The goal is to push for a 2-percentage-point tax hike for earners making over $1 million and boost the corporate tax rate to 11.5%. If this gets approved, NYC’s top marginal rate would hit 16.8%, which is highkey the highest in the nation.
Why it matters
This strategy is already creating a massive political headache for Governor Kathy Hochul. While the mayor pushes his agenda, business titans like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon have warned that this “smash-and-grab” approach is driving jobs away to lower-tax states. Real talk: if the mayor succeeds in making this about corporate villains, it could force the governor to choose between her donors and working-class voters. The tension is real, and the corporate exodus concerns are only growing.
