A senior appointee in New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration resigned Thursday after resurfaced social media posts showed she had made antisemitic remarks more than a decade ago, according to multiple reports.
Fox News reported that Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had been named Mamdani’s director of appointments, stepped down following public criticism from the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey.
The ADL flagged posts from a now-deleted X account that were reportedly published between 2011 and 2012 and included references to “money hungry Jews,” “rich Jewish peeps,” and a Far Rockaway train described as “the Jew train.”
#BreakingNews – Good !
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, whom Mamdani named as his Director of Appointments YESTERDAYHas Today Resigned.
Following old Tweets about “money-hungry Jews” and other similar comments. pic.twitter.com/NPP7CKznLd
— TomT ✞ ن (@VRWCTexanTwo) December 18, 2025
“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.
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The organization added, “Tweeting about ‘money hungry Jews’ is indefensible. We appreciate Da Costa has relationships with members of the Jewish community, but her posts require immediate explanation, not just from Ms. Da Costa, but also from the mayor-elect.”
Mayor-Elect Mamdani has announced Catherine (Cat) Almonte Da Costa as his Director of Appointments, tasked with “bring[ing] top talent into this administration.”
Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and… pic.twitter.com/fMe2zMuphA
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) December 18, 2025
After the posts were brought to public attention, Da Costa deleted her account and submitted her resignation. In a statement to the Judge Street Journal on Thursday, she acknowledged the remarks and apologized.
“I spoke with the mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized and expressed my deep regret for my past statements,” Da Costa said.
“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.”
Just a day after Mamdani appointed her as the Director of Appointments, Catherine Almonte Da Costa submitted her resignation after offensive social media posts resurfaced. @News12BK @News12BX pic.twitter.com/An3oM7i89a
— Heather Fordham (@heatherfordham_) December 18, 2025
Mamdani confirmed that he accepted her resignation. “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted,” Mamdani told the Judge Street Journal, which first reported the resurfaced posts.
Da Costa had been appointed to oversee staffing for the incoming administration and was expected to play a key role in shaping the mayor-elect’s team. Mamdani previously said she would be responsible for bringing “top talent into this administration.”
The controversy comes less than two weeks before Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in as mayor of New York City, placing early scrutiny on his transition team and vetting process.
In addition to the antisemitic remarks, other resurfaced posts attributed to Da Costa reportedly included derogatory comments about law enforcement, including references to “NYPD piggies,” according to the New York Post.
Da Costa previously worked in city government, including a role on the census team during former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.
The ADL said it had no further comment beyond its public statements. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani, Da Costa, and the ADL for additional comment and was told there was nothing further to add.
The abrupt resignation marks one of the first personnel shakeups for Mamdani’s incoming administration and highlights ongoing concerns surrounding antisemitism in public life, particularly as New York City continues to confront heightened tensions and scrutiny around issues affecting the Jewish community.
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