Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s congressional campaign has cut ties with a media consultant Jewish Insider linked to social media posts promoting conspiracy theories about Israel and expressing support for Hamas.
The consultant, Kaif Gilani, also known as Kaif Kabir, is a co-founder of the progressive volunteer group “Hot Girls for Zohran,” which rebranded to “Hot Girls Organize” after helping to mobilize young voters for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. The group said it operated independently of the Mamdani campaign and did not receive campaign funds.
"We were not aware of these tweets when we hired them,” Lander campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said in a statement. “As soon as we became aware, we terminated their contract. They definitely do not reflect Brad’s views. Brad has denounced and condemned Hamas, the October 7th attacks, and the sexual violence that they committed on and after October 7th, on many occasions."
Federal campaign filings show Lander’s campaign paid $15,000 to Brain Child, a company controlled by Gilani for “website and social media” work, in Lander’s Democratic primary bid against incumbent Rep. Daniel Goldman, who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Gothamist viewed posts Gilani had retweeted that included debunked claims about Israeli foreknowledge of the 9/11 attacks and other allegations widely seen as antisemitic. He also shared posts quoting the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar defending the group’s actions, per the New York Times.
Gilani did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but posted to X on Tuesday that “targeting and attempting to dox me is rooted in Islamophobia.”
The other co-founder of “Hot Girls for Zohran,” Cait Camelia, said in a statement that Gilani was disproportionately targeted for pro-Palestinian views, that the Jewish Insider article conflated such views with antisemitism. She added that “Kaif will not be stepping back. He will be stepping up and organizing, as we prepare to primary every AIPAC-backed candidate in New York City in June.”
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At an unrelated press conference Thursday, Mamdani said “Hot Girls for Zohran” was “an outside group” and was never paid by his campaign.
The episode adds to ongoing tensions among New York Democrats over the war in Gaza and rising concerns over antisemitism. Lander, who is Jewish and identifies as a liberal Zionist, has been critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and recently announced support for legislation that would bar the sale of certain weapons to Israel. He has also repeatedly denounced Hamas.
