Recently, a platform named “NYC Journals” released a sensational report, claiming Instagram had suspended New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani’s account for being excessively socialist.

The report suggested Mamdani’s account was inactive for three hours and mentioned a “leaked memo” from Instagram alleging his content conflicted with US national interests. The piece was notably detailed, including purported quotes from Mamdani and a “political communications expert” criticizing tech platforms’ influence on political speech. Such a story would be significant in an already unpredictable and heated race.

The problem, of course, is that it’s not true.

The story circulated across social media sites like Bluesky, Reddit, Mastodon, and X, gaining plenty of shares, likes, and comments. However, Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels confirmed that neither the memo nor any restrictions on Mamdani’s account exist. Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani’s campaign, clarified to The Verge that the article, the alleged statement from Mamdani, and the account suspension are entirely fictional.

NYC Journals’ website doesn’t have many details about the outlet, and the fake story is attributed to a general “NYC Journals Staff” byline. Elsewhere on the site it claims that its information is “corroborated with a myriad of sources and fact checked thoroughly.” It’s not clear where or how the story began to spread, but it’s been picked up by a handful of other fly-by-night websites that pop up suddenly and disappear just as fast. NYC Journals did not list a way to contact the site for comment.

Though Mamdani is running in a local election, his candidacy has drawn national attention. After Mamdani became the presumptive Democratic nominee in June, Donald Trump seemed to endorse false claims that Mamdani was in the US “illegally.” Other Republicans have called for Mamdani to be deported. Mamdani is a naturalized US citizen. This isn’t the first false story that’s circulated during the race for mayor — and likely won’t be the last.