New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has carefully cultivated an image of calm confidence and optimism on social media, but more than a dozen political insiders say the mayor behaves very differently behind closed doors, describing him as highly sensitive to criticism and quick to confront public detractors, The New York Post reports.

According to interviews with elected officials, political consultants, and Democratic operatives conducted by The New York Post, Mamdani frequently contacts critics who challenge him publicly, holds grudges against political opponents, and often responds to messages only when negative publicity has become a concern.

“I see more and more he cannot handle criticism, but mainly from elected officials who he thinks he can push around,” one political consultant said.

“The mayor personally reaches out when electeds criticizes him publicly. If they speak, then he cares. He cares because he doesn’t want bad press. It shows a sensitivity.”

Many of those interviewed requested anonymity, saying they feared damaging working relationships with a mayor they continue to deal with on government and political matters.

One recent flashpoint reportedly followed calls by Jewish community leaders urging Mamdani to “stop fanning the flames of hatred” against Israel after an alleged antisemitic stabbing on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Sources told The New York Post that Mamdani personally contacted at least one elected official who attended the news conference, objecting to the criticism and expressing frustration that the appeal was linked to a video he released days earlier in which he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal.”

That two-minute video, in which Mamdani addressed viewers while seated before American and New York City flags, reportedly amassed approximately 100 million views across multiple social media platforms.

Political observers widely credit Mamdani’s mastery of TikTok and Instagram with fueling his rapid ascent from a relatively little-known state legislator in 2025 to mayor of America’s largest city. He now reportedly has 3.5 million followers on TikTok and 11.9 million on Instagram, where he built his campaign around polished videos emphasizing affordability and cost-of-living issues, including his widely viewed “halalflation” posts highlighting rising food prices.

After taking office in January, Mamdani continued investing heavily in public messaging, allocating $53 million to establish an Office of Mass Engagement, significantly expanding City Hall’s communications operation. Critics have argued the office functions primarily as a taxpayer-funded public relations apparatus.

His administration has continued releasing professionally produced videos, including one filmed outside billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin’s $200 million condominium promoting the Democratic Socialists of America’s “tax the rich” platform, as well as a 13-minute documentary spotlighting tenants organizing against what they described as an unresponsive landlord.

Several insiders said Mamdani’s sensitivity to criticism stems in part from the pressure of becoming the first Democratic Socialists of America mayor of New York City.

“He’s the first DSA (mayor) so they have to show he can manage the city, and any time someone puts a dent in that it hurts their cause,” a government insider said.

Another Democratic operative described Mamdani as demanding with staff members, saying he frequently conducts late-night strategy meetings at Gracie Mansion with fellow DSA leaders.

Sources also claimed the mayor closely monitors media coverage and social media commentary, even attempting to prevent potentially unfavorable stories before they gain traction. They pointed to a July dispute after Queens Borough President Donovan Richards criticized the DSA as “white supremacy” in a post on X. According to multiple sources, a Mamdani staff member contacted Richards’ office seeking removal of the post, but Richards declined, and the disagreement later became the subject of media coverage.

“He’s so thin-skinned and reads everything,” one City Council member said.

“His security blanket is his phone and the dopamine from how many likes he gets on a post,” a Democratic operative scoffed. “Seems to keep him going.”

According to sources, City Councilwoman Virginia Maloney also drew the mayor’s attention after responding to one of his budget claims on X with the sarcastic remark, “I know math is hard.” Insiders said Mamdani personally contacted her following the exchange.

“That Virginia Maloney tweet really got under their skin,” a source said amid the spat.

Several officials also said the mayor reached out directly after lawmakers criticized his proposal to raise property taxes by nearly 10%.

The mayor reportedly became particularly frustrated last week after he was not invited to deliver a eulogy at the funeral of Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens. One Democratic insider described Mamdani’s reaction as restrained but visibly cold, contrasting sharply with the cheerful demeanor he typically projects in public appearances, including interactions with political opponents and appearances where he has faced public boos.

Multiple sources said they have learned that negative news coverage or critical social media posts are often the quickest way to receive a response from either Mamdani or his senior staff.

“They only respond when it’s a crisis for them and reaches crisis levels in the press, but before that they don’t return calls, texts or emails,” a Democratic operative said.

“He has been known to hold grudges against whoever challenges him or his positions for even some of the smallest of slights, and those people get sent to the back of the line unless he needs something.”

Not all of the assessments were negative. Several insiders credited the 34-year-old mayor with approaching negotiations thoughtfully and being willing to acknowledge areas where he lacks expertise.

“He asks lots of questions. Seeks to understand the issues he’s lacking familiarity with,” one union source said.

“He does more listening than talking. That’s uncommon in the political realm.”

Responding to the allegations, senior mayoral spokeswoman Dora Pekec said, “The mayor’s focus has and always will be how best to deliver for New Yorkers and he sees our city and state elected officials as valuable partners in building a safer and more affordable city.”

Former Eric Adams spokesman Fabien Levy argued that the administration spends too much energy monitoring social media criticism instead of governing.

“Mamdani should focus on the job, rather than a ‘first-term council member tweeting’ about him,” Levy said.

“This administration is more on Twitter, Instagram or TikTok than probably any other politician in the county, but to steal an Eric Adams-ism: it’s not what’s in the tweets, it’s what’s in the streets.”

{Matzav.com}