Fact Check: Did Robert De Niro claim that he was leaving NYC because of Mamdani?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Posts circulating online have claimed that veteran actor Robert De Niro announced he was leaving New York City because of policies introduced by newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The claim spread widely across social media platforms, prompting questions about whether the statement was genuine. Here is a closer look at the allegation.
Claim: Robert De Niro planned to leave New York City over Zohran Mamdani
According to the rumor shared online this month, Robert De Niro said he had “no choice” but to leave New York City following Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as mayor.
One such claim appeared on January 2 in a post shared by a Facebook page named Venetian. The post stated, “Robert De Niro says he now has ‘no choice’ but to leave New York City after Mamdani officially became mayor.” It further alleged that De Niro objected to the new administration’s policies, claiming they would take nearly half of his savings because he was considered wealthy.
The post gained traction as it echoed broader online debates surrounding Mamdani’s economic proposals, particularly among critics who have argued that higher taxes could drive affluent residents out of the city.
Fact Check: Viral posts about Robert De Niro were fabricated
While some readers appeared to interpret the post as a legitimate report, no evidence supported the claim that Robert De Niro announced plans to leave New York City because of Zohran Mamdani.
No credible interviews, public statements, or verified reports indicated that De Niro made such remarks. The actor, who has long resided in New York City and has frequently spoken about his ties to the city, did not issue any comments aligning with the viral claim.
The origin of the rumor traced back to a network of websites and social media pages operating under the name 'America’s Last Line of Defense.' One of its associated websites openly described its content as “parody, satire and tomfoolery.”
The network’s Facebook presence included a clear disclaimer stating, “The flagship of the ALLOD network of trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real.”
Similarly, the Facebook page 'Venetian' included a disclaimer noting that all content was fictional and created for entertainment purposes. The page stated that posts did not contain real quotes or statements from the public figures mentioned.
America’s Last Line of Defense has previously been linked to fabricated celebrity and political stories that were designed to generate engagement and were later debunked by fact-checking organizations, including Snopes.
Zohran Mamdani assumed office amid policy debate
Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor shortly after the New Year began.
The ceremony, held just after midnight on January 1, marked the formal start of his administration and drew attention for its symbolic timing and public celebrations.
During his campaign, Mamdani’s policy proposals sparked debate among voters and political commentators. Critics questioned whether his economic platform could prompt wealthy residents to relocate, while supporters argued the proposals aimed to address long-standing inequality in the city.
Despite those debates, no verified evidence showed that Robert De Niro or other high-profile figures announced plans to leave New York City because of Mamdani’s election.
