Times of London Apologizes After Publishing Fake Bill de Blasio Interview

The Incident Unfolds

The Times of London issued a formal apology on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, after publishing an article based on a fabricated interview with an individual impersonating former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The British newspaper retracted the story, acknowledging that its reporter had been misled by someone falsely claiming to be the former mayor. The incident quickly drew attention, particularly as it occurred just a week before the New York City mayoral election.

False Claims and Political Ramifications

The now-retracted article featured quotes attributed to Bill de Blasio that were critical of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's policy proposals. The impersonator's statements suggested that de Blasio, a known supporter of Mamdani, had grown skeptical of the candidate's agenda, which includes initiatives such as free buses, universal childcare, and a rent freeze for stabilized apartments. The fake quotes claimed that Mamdani's policies 'don't add up' and that 'the math doesn't hold up under scrutiny, and the political hurdles are substantial,' with cost estimates reportedly exceeding $7 billion annually. These false remarks were quickly seized upon by political figures, including aides from Andrew Cuomo's campaign.

De Blasio's Strong Rebuttal

Upon learning of the article, the real Bill de Blasio took to X (formerly Twitter) to vehemently deny the claims, calling the story 'entirely false and fabricated' and an 'absolute violation of journalistic ethics.' He clarified that he 'never spoke to that reporter and never said those things,' and that the quotes 'don't reflect my views.' De Blasio reaffirmed his unwavering support for Zohran Mamdani, stating, 'The truth is I fully support and believe his vision is both necessary and achievable.'

The Times' Apology and Investigation

In its apology, The Times of London confirmed that the article was taken down 'after discovering that our reporter had been misled by an individual falsely claiming to be the former New York mayor.' Reports indicate that reporter Bevan Hurley had corresponded via email with an individual he believed to be de Blasio. The impersonator later admitted to Semafor, 'You are correct. It was me. The real Bill DeBlasio.' The newspaper's spokesperson stated, 'The Times has apologized to Bill de Blasio and removed the article immediately.' This incident has raised questions about verification processes in journalism, particularly when dealing with high-profile individuals.