Bari Weiss‘ CBS News New York quietly edited a key claim in its coverage of a petition regarding Mayor Zohran Mamdani, after a journalist called the network’s reporting into question. The organizers were unable to verify the claim about the number of 9/11 victims’ family members who signed the petition.
The change followed reporting by Judd Legum, who said organizers could not verify the figure
CBS News New York’s original report, published Monday, stated that “thousands of 9/11 victims’ families are asking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend this year’s solemn remembrance ceremony.”
According to journalist Judd Legum‘s Popular Information newsletter, the revised version instead states that the petition “purportedly drew thousands of signatures, including some victims’ families.”
The controversy began after the New York Post published a cover story on Sunday with the headline. It read, “STAY AWAY: Thousands of 9/11 families demand Mamdani be banned from 25th-Anniversary.” Legum described the claim as a “brazen lie.” He also noted that the Post’s own article appeared to contradict its headline. According to Legum, the article cited “at least 300 victims’ families” among the signatories, far fewer than the “thousands” referenced in the headline.
Legum also interviewed Galante directly and said he found no verified list supporting even the 300 figure. “Rather, the 300 figure that organizers shared with the New York Post was an estimate based on how they believe the petition spread before it received much publicity,” he wrote.
Legum contacted CBS News New York for comment on the discrepancy, and the outlet later updated its story. “After Popular Information reached out for comment, that line was removed,” Legum wrote.
Giovanni Galante, whose husband died in the 9/11 attacks, launched the petition. She called for Mamdani, who is Muslim, to stay away from the ceremony. As of Tuesday morning, the petition had received more than 24,000 signatures.
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