New York Mayor-Elect’s Appointee Resigns Over Antisemitic Social Media Posts

Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned from a top New York City role. She stepped down as incoming Director of Appointments. Her resignation followed backlash over old social media posts. The posts contained antisemitic language and stereotypes.

Swift Backlash Over Past Tweets

The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey raised concerns. They questioned if the mayor-elect’s team knew about the posts. According to Reuters, the posts were made over a decade ago.

One tweet from 2011 read, “Money hungry Jews smh.” Another post that year referenced “rich Jewish peeps.” A 2012 post called a train line the “Jew train.”

Da Costa’s social media account was deleted shortly after the controversy erupted. The ADL called the posts “indefensible.” They demanded an immediate explanation from both Da Costa and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Resignation and Apology Issued Hours Later

Da Costa resigned just hours after the ADL’s statement. She said her presence had become a distraction. She apologized for the past statements.

“I expressed my deep regret for my past statements,” Da Costa said. “These statements are not indicative of who I am.” She also noted she is the mother of Jewish children.

Mayor-elect Mamdani accepted her resignation. His team called the old posts “unacceptable.” They stated the views did not represent Mamdani or his administration’s values.

Additional Controversial Posts Surface

The scrutiny extended beyond antisemitic remarks. Archived posts showed derogatory comments about police. In one 2012 post, she referred to NYPD officers as “piggies.”

In 2020, she voiced support for defunding the police. She advocated for a billion-dollar cut to the NYPD budget. This was during the national protests following George Floyd’s death.

Background of the Appointee

Da Costa had worked in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration. She served on the city’s census team. Most recently, she was head of culture at a group called the Orchestra.

Her appointment was meant to help recruit talent. The plan unraveled within a day of its announcement. The rapid fallout highlights the lasting impact of social media history.

The resignation over the antisemitic posts underscores the intense scrutiny facing public appointees. It serves as a stark reminder that past online activity can have serious present-day consequences.