New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is encountering criticism just weeks into his administration over a public service announcement campaign that features his image on thousands of digital screens across the city. The advertisements, which promote enrollment in pre-K and 3-K programs, appear on all 2,220 LinkNYC kiosks and showcase Mamdani delivering his message in what resembles a classroom.
In the video, Mamdani states, “Last week we announced we won more than $100 million in new funding to make 3-K truly universal and today is a great day to sign up.” While the intent is to encourage families to enroll their children, the campaign has sparked allegations that he is engaging in self-promotion rather than focusing on governance.
Critics argue that the timing of the campaign, occurring just three weeks into his term, raises concerns about the use of public platforms for personal gain. Nicole Gelinas, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, remarked, “If Eric Adams did this, everyone would be cringing and saying he was using the kiosks for shameless self-promotion.” Adams, who completed his term at the end of 2025, faced similar scrutiny during his administration for his use of the kiosks to highlight favorable city statistics without directly featuring his image.
Legal concerns have also surfaced in relation to the campaign. Melissa DeRosa, a former adviser to ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo—whom Mamdani defeated in the 2025 mayoral race—pointed out that a 2007 state law prohibits elected officials from appearing in government-funded public service announcements. “There’s a state law that bans this and for good reason—tax dollars shouldn’t be spent propping up elected officials,” DeRosa stated.
Despite the backlash, Mamdani’s office insists the campaign complies with legal standards. According to Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for the mayor, the use of the mayor’s image is permissible because the city did not pay for the advertisements. “LinkNYC is required to broadcast city public service announcements as part of their operating agreement and the City did not use any taxpayer dollars to place this advertisement,” Pekec explained.
The LinkNYC kiosks are obligated to air public service announcements under their franchise agreement, with a spokesperson confirming that the advertisements are provided free of charge to the city. Pekec noted that previous mayors have participated in similar public service announcements on platforms like LinkNYC and TaxiTV.
As this controversy unfolds, it highlights ongoing discussions about the appropriateness and legal ramifications of elected officials utilizing public resources for personal visibility. The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how future administrations manage public service announcements and their potential impacts on governance.
