Zohran Mamdani hasn’t even taken office, yet his administration is already showing signs of trouble.
On Thursday, disturbing antisemitic comments shared online by Mamdani appointee Catherine Almonte Da Costa, set to step into the role of Director of Appointments, resurfaced, causing a firestorm.
The vile rants included comments about “money-hungry Jews” and saying the Far Rockaway train “is the Jew train.”
The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey shared Da Costa’s posts and demanded answers from the Mamdani administration.
The group said on X, “Mayor-Elect Mamdani has announced Catherine (Cat) Almonte Da Costa as his Director of Appointments, tasked with ‘bring[ing] top talent into this administration.’”
“Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and otherwise demean Jewish people. Tweeting about ‘Money hungry Jews’ is indefensible.”
“We appreciate Da Costa has relationships with members of the Jewish community, but her posts require immediate explanation — not just from Ms. Da Costa, but also from the Mayor-Elect.”
“Vetting the appointment of city leaders will be Ms. Da Costa’s responsibility and the Jewish community deserves to know:
1) Were these comments previously identified by the Mayor-elect’s team? If so, why were they excused?
2) What will be the policy of the new Administration if comments like these are discovered during the vetting process?”
The organization shared screenshots of Da Costa’s tweets, which remained up until Thursday, when it appears she deleted her account.
Hellbound and Down 