University of Kwazulu-Natal

Zohran Mamdani Appointee Resigns After Antisemitic Posts Resurface

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
zohran mamdani appointee resigns after antisemitic posts resurface

An appointee tapped to lead New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's recruitment efforts resigned Thursday after antisemitic social media posts resurfaced. Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned a day after Mamdani named her director of appointments, with responsibilities to strategize recruitment in his administration. "I spoke with the Mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regret for my past statements. These statements are not indicative of who I am," Da Costa said in a statement through Mamdani’s transition team. "As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused. As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation," she added.

In remarks after Mamdani announced her appointment Wednesday, Da Costa had described “building a government that is both mission-driven and deeply capable, a government staffed by diverse leaders with the skill and the experience... With under two weeks to go before he’s sworn in, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has not announced many hires for his administration. One of the few that he has announced was forced to almost immediately resign Thursday after her past antisemitic tweets came to light. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, whom Mamdani named his director of appointments just on Wednesday, in 2011 tweeted about “money-hungry Jews” and other similar comments, in posts first reported by The Judge Street Journal, a... In a statement, Da Costa said, “I spoke with the Mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regret for my past statements. These statements are not indicative of who I am.

As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused. As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation.” Mamdani’s transition also provided a statement from the mayor-elect: “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.” Several New York political insiders told CNN that they questioned the incoming administration’s vetting process, given that she was picked despite tweets that were revealed so quickly after her announced hire. One day after being hired by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Catherine Almonte Da Costa submitted her resignation after antisemitic statements in old Twitter posts dating back to 2011 surfaced Thursday. Mamdani transition sources tell NBC New York that he and his transition were unaware of the posts when they appointed Da Costa Wednesday.

When Mamdani put Da Costa in charge of hiring for the city, she pledged to recruit diverse talent. "They have to reflect the rich diversity of race faith ethnicity that defines this City," she said at the time. But today, 33-year-old Da Costa was apologizing for antisemitic posts dating back to when she was 18 years old. The posts were first found by the Anti-Defamation League, and then more problematic posts were uncovered by Timmy Facciola in a story on Substack. Soon after, Da Costa took down her Twitter account. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani explains appointment of convicted armed robber Mysonne Linen to transition team.

Zohran Mamdani’s newly named director of appointments abruptly resigned Thursday after resurfaced social media posts showed she made antisemitic remarks, according to reports. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, tapped to serve in the incoming New York City mayoral administration, stepped down after the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey raised concerns about her past online activity. The posts, reportedly made between 2011 and 2012 on a now-deleted X account, included references to "money hungry Jews" and "rich Jewish peeps" and called a Far Rockaway train "the Jew train." "Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and otherwise demean Jewish people," the ADL wrote on X. NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned after criticism of antisemitic posts on her social media when she was young. "This is not indicative of who I am," she said.

Da Costa is married to a Jewish man and she is the mother of two Jewish children. Mamdani, before and during the election strongly apologized for some of the statements he made when he was young. In a press conference Friday, Mamdani told reporters that New Yorkers have a right to expect better and apologized, claiming he did not adequately vet her. Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Zohran Mamdani’s newly tapped director of appointments resigned Thursday hours after the discovery of antisemitic social media posts she made more than a decade ago. “I spoke with the mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regret for my past statements,” Catherine Almonte Da Costa said in a statement provided by Mamdani’s transition team. One day after Mamdani’s announcement of the appointment, the Anti-Defamation League and others posted screenshots of antisemitic tweets from an account associated with Da Costa. For instance, one screenshot showed a 2011 post where she referred to “Money hungry Jews.” Another screenshot shows a 2012 tweet where she wrote, “Far Rockaway train is the Jew train.” Gothamist has not... The account associated with the tweets no longer exists on X. Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.

NEW YORK — An appointee to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration resigned on Thursday after old antisemitic social media posts surfaced earlier in the day. Mamdani named Catherine Almonte Da Costa as his administration’s director of appointments on Wednesday. The director of appointments is a high-ranking role in the mayor’s office that oversees the recruitment and placement of key staff. On Thursday, a day after Mamdani tapped her for the role, the Anti-Defamation League exposed antisemitic comments Da Costa posted on X in 2011 and 2012. Da Costa wrote, “Money hungry Jews smh,” using an acronym that stands for “shaking my head.”

People Also Search

An Appointee Tapped To Lead New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's

An appointee tapped to lead New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's recruitment efforts resigned Thursday after antisemitic social media posts resurfaced. Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned a day after Mamdani named her director of appointments, with responsibilities to strategize recruitment in his administration. "I spoke with the Mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regr...

In Remarks After Mamdani Announced Her Appointment Wednesday, Da Costa

In remarks after Mamdani announced her appointment Wednesday, Da Costa had described “building a government that is both mission-driven and deeply capable, a government staffed by diverse leaders with the skill and the experience... With under two weeks to go before he’s sworn in, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has not announced many hires for his administration. One of the few that he h...

As The Mother Of Jewish Children, I Feel A Profound

As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused. As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation.” Mamdani’s transition also provided a statement from the mayor-elect: “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.” Several New Yor...

When Mamdani Put Da Costa In Charge Of Hiring For

When Mamdani put Da Costa in charge of hiring for the city, she pledged to recruit diverse talent. "They have to reflect the rich diversity of race faith ethnicity that defines this City," she said at the time. But today, 33-year-old Da Costa was apologizing for antisemitic posts dating back to when she was 18 years old. The posts were first found by the Anti-Defamation League, and then more probl...

Zohran Mamdani’s Newly Named Director Of Appointments Abruptly Resigned Thursday

Zohran Mamdani’s newly named director of appointments abruptly resigned Thursday after resurfaced social media posts showed she made antisemitic remarks, according to reports. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, tapped to serve in the incoming New York City mayoral administration, stepped down after the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey raised concerns about her past online activity. The posts...