Cuomo Gaining Momentum as Viral Video Highlights Rejection of Socialist Candidate Mamdani by NYC Businesses

Cuomo Gaining Momentum as Viral Video Highlights Rejection of Socialist Candidate Mamdani by NYC Businesses

The CEO of a film production company is utilizing social media’s influence to connect with younger audiences. His goal is to better inform them about Zohran Mamdani, the socialist candidate for Mayor of New York City, ahead of the crucial Election Day on November 4.

Zach Sage Fox, the CEO of Fat Camp Films, has joined Andrew Cuomo’s campaign as an Independent candidate after the current NYC Mayor Eric Adams stepped aside. Fox’s role involves producing between eight and ten social media videos designed to boost Cuomo’s campaign visibility.

Fox noted that polling began to narrow as they revamped the campaign’s social media strategy. “If you look at the polling, it started tightening in direct relation with our revamp of the campaign’s social media,” he shared with Fox News Digital.

Polling Trends Favor Cuomo

Recent reports from the New York Post indicate that an AtlasIntel poll conducted on October 31 revealed a tightening race. According to the poll, Mamdani’s lead is now only by 6.6 points.

Fox expressed uncertainty about timing. He remarked, “I would like to think that we were definitely a big part. The question is, is it a little too late? We had under one month to do a good job, and there’s a million other factors and a million other pieces of the pie that we’re not a part of.”

Fox’s Innovative Video Strategy

With a background in political communications from the University of Pennsylvania, Fox has worked with various nonprofits and major brands such as Coca-Cola and Airbnb. His team at Fat Camp Films takes the lead on Cuomo’s social media content and has developed several trend-driven videos that have attracted millions of views, ultimately influencing voter perceptions.

One notable video titled “Would You Hire Zohran?” features Fox visiting New York City businesses while holding a cutout of Mamdani and his resume. This video achieved over 5 million views and solicited candid responses from business owners regarding Mamdani’s qualifications.

Business Reactions to Mamdani

Fox portrayed the reactions from business owners as genuine. He recounted, “All those reactions you saw were real. Even a $1 pizza shop was like, ‘Oh, I would not hire somebody with this resume. What? He interned for his mom and was a rapper? He can’t work here.’” Companies such as Equinox, a health club, and a local nail salon joined in declining to hire Mamdani based on his qualifications.

Fox humorously pointed out the contrast between Mamdani’s political aspirations and the low regard from business owners. He commented, “McDonald’s wouldn’t hire him, but we might make this guy mayor.”

Concerns About Mamdani’s Experience

Fox raised serious concerns about Mamdani’s qualifications, stating, “This guy hasn’t run anything with more than five or six people. He hasn’t managed more than a small team. He has no, no, no skills to run 300,000 plus jobs.” His sentiments reflect wider apprehensions within the business community about Mamdani’s viability as a mayor.

Viral Campaigns Raising Awareness

The viral success of Fat Camp Films’ strategies cannot be overstated. Another video titled “Muslims Against Mamdani” gained traction, featuring a group of Muslims discussing their non-support for the candidate. This video garnered over 10 million views.

In a creative twist, Fox’s team parodied the classic Schoolhouse Rock tune with “I’m Just A Shill,” which immediately caught attention and accumulated over 15 million views within a single day.

Fox’s Optimistic Outlook

Expressing optimism for Cuomo’s chances of winning, Fox stated, “I feel good about it. I feel he has a much better shot at winning this than when we came on to the campaign. If it’s enough of a shot, that we will see.” His commitment to the campaign stems from a strong desire to present an alternative to Mamdani’s socialist platform.

Political Fear Surrounding Mamdani

Fox, a lifelong Independent, expressed a willingness to collaborate with any candidate—be it Cuomo, Adams, or Republican contender Curtis Sliwa—to effectively challenge Mamdani. Reflecting on Mamdani’s surprising victory in the primary, he shared, “When he won, it was a shocker. More and more stuff started coming out about his past and his family to the point where it was just nauseating to me that someone so antisemitic, who has so little job experience, could be that close to becoming the mayor of New York City.”

Fox emphasized that his concerns stem from Mamdani’s views rather than his religion. “I’m not worried about having a Muslim mayor, I’m worried about having an antisemitic, pro-terror mayor,” he shared, denoting the gravity of his concerns.

Past Controversies Resurface

Fox recounted Mamdani’s past references during his rap career, which included shout-outs to the Holy Land Five – figures linked to controversial actions. This history adds another layer of concern regarding the candidate’s potential leadership.

The Stakes for New York City

Fox articulated his deep apprehensions for the future of New York City under Mamdani’s leadership. He mentioned, “Defunding the police doesn’t work. Adding cops works.” This sentiment aligns with the former mayor’s recent proposal to increase NYPD presence across the city.

Addressing the impacts of Mamdani’s left-leaning policies on public safety, Fox stated, “This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat issue, but Mamdani is so far left on the crime issue that I know there are going to be New Yorkers that die on his watch. I’m doing fine. I’m a CEO.”

Concerns for Everyday New Yorkers

These views are particularly concerning for everyday New Yorkers who rely on public transport and navigate potentially dangerous neighborhoods. Fox lamented, “They don’t have a chance,” highlighting the accountability that leaders have towards their constituents in matters of safety and governance.