Tensions simmered inside City Hall on Tuesday as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s aides fielded a barrage of questions from New York City Council members over the administration’s controversial use of social media influencers. The hearing, held in a packed chamber and streamed to a curious city, left lawmakers and the public with few concrete answers about how digital personalities are shaping official messaging from the mayor’s office.

Councilmember Jennifer Rivera of Jackson Heights pressed the mayor’s chief digital strategist, Laila Farooqi, for specifics on which influencers were paid, how much city money was spent, and what oversight—if any—guided the process. Farooqi, flanked by two communications deputies, could not provide budget numbers or campaign guidelines, instead offering to “follow up with written responses.”

The influencer initiative, which has surfaced across TikTok and Instagram feeds since late August, has promoted everything from subway safety to voter registration, often without clear disclosure of ties to City Hall. Councilmember Malik Green of Bed-Stuy voiced concern over transparency: “If City Hall is underwriting content, New Yorkers deserve to know who’s being paid and for what.”

The hearing’s frustration spilled into the corridors afterward, as activist groups criticized what they see as a new layer of opacity in city government. “We’re witnessing a shift in how power communicates with the public,” said media ethicist Carla Jiménez outside Council Chambers. “But without rules, it’s a recipe for manipulation.”

The Council’s Technology Committee is expected to call for new disclosure rules in the coming weeks, aiming to require clear labeling of sponsored content and public reporting of city contracts with digital influencers. The administration, for now, remains tight-lipped—leaving New Yorkers with more questions than answers this September.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the New York City Council question the Mamdani administration about?

The City Council questioned the Mamdani administration about its secretive use of paid social media influencers to promote city messaging without proper transparency or disclosure.

Which social media platforms were used in the city’s influencer campaign?

The city’s influencer campaign used TikTok and Instagram to promote city initiatives.

Who in the administration was asked for details about the influencer campaign?

Chief digital strategist Laila Farooqi was asked for details about payments, oversight, and campaign guidelines during the hearing.

What concerns did Councilmembers raise about the influencer campaign?

Councilmembers raised concerns about transparency, lack of disclosure, oversight, and the public’s right to know who is being paid and for what.

What action is the City Council planning in response to the influencer campaign?

The City Council’s Technology Committee plans to propose new disclosure rules for sponsored influencer content, requiring clear labeling and public reporting of city contracts with digital influencers.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.