Overview
- Bill de Blasio said quotes attributed to him about Zohran Mamdani were fabricated, prompting The Times of London to delete the piece and apologize, citing an impersonator.
- Subsequent reports indicate the reporter emailed a Long Island wine seller named Bill DeBlasio, who replied as a prank and reportedly used AI to craft answers that were published.
- De Blasio publicly affirmed his support for Mamdani, calling the candidate’s vision necessary and achievable.
- Mamdani remains ahead in polling before the Nov. 4 election, with Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and Republican Curtis Sliwa also on the ballot; Eric Adams exited the race and endorsed Cuomo on Thursday.
- Wealthy donors have funneled millions into Fix the City and Defend NYC to block Mamdani, with contributions reported from Joe Gebbia, Bill Ackman, Ronald and William Lauder, Steve Wynn, Daniel Loeb, Alice Walton, and Laurie Tisch, as Mamdani campaigns on rent controls, free transit, and expanded childcare.