CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and Michael Kives attend the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 8, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
CBS News New York removed a false claim from its coverage of a petition targeting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after journalist Judd Legum identified the inaccuracy.
According to Popular Information, the petition was launched by Giovanni Galante, whose husband died on 9/11, and called for the Muslim mayor to stay away from the 25th anniversary ceremony.
CBS initially claimed "thousands of 9/11 victims' families" signed the petition. However, Legum's investigation revealed the petition organizers had no actual count of how many signatories were 9/11 families.
Galante admitted the "300 figure" shared with the New York Post was merely an estimate based on personal networks, not verified data.
“After Popular Information reached out for comment, that line was removed,” Legum explained.
“A revised article on the CBS website says the petition has ‘purportedly drawn thousands of signatures, including some victims' families.’”
The Facebook post showed the original caption was edited from "thousands" to "some" following the fact-check.
Watch the video below.