A coalition of New York City community activists, public housing tenants, and clergy members has launched a new campaign called “DSA: Tell the Truth,” targeting the Democratic Socialists of America and its co-chair, Gustavo Gordillo. The campaign accuses Gordillo of hypocrisy, alleging his “working-class” persona is a fabricated image.
The activists gathered in Bedford-Stuyvesant to criticize the DSA, calling it the “double standards of America” and renewing demands for Gordillo’s resignation. Gordillo, 38, has been identified as a “nepo baby” whose privileged background, including a $1.5 million townhouse purchased by his millionaire father and extensive renovations, stands in contrast to the working-class immigrant narrative he has promoted.
Civil rights leader Rev. Kevin McCall, speaking at the rally, stated, “This is the launch of more to come. Gustavo is not off the hook. DSA is not off the hook. We’re going to be in front of your houses. We’re going to be in front of your meetings to tell them that Gustavo got to go.” McCall emphasized that the campaign is not about personal attacks but about demanding honesty from the organization. “This is not about doxing anybody. We don’t want liars,” he added.
The DSA has faced increased scrutiny, particularly since Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a member of the group, became the first socialist to take office at Gracie Mansion.
Gordillo, a Yale graduate, not only received the Brooklyn townhouse from his father but also allegedly benefited from $1.4 million in renovations. He is also the founder and CEO of DraftPros, a telecommunications firm with clients such as AT&T and Verizon, which is valued at $90 million.
Despite his affluent background, Gordillo has been criticized for advocating for a $95,000 party salary for himself and co-chair Grace Mausser, citing the volume of socialist work to be done. This move has drawn further criticism in light of his alleged misrepresentation of his upbringing, which included claims of being raised by penniless Peruvian immigrants whose parents cleaned houses and worked fast-food jobs.
The organizers of “DSA: Tell the Truth” contend that the DSA can no longer credibly position itself as a champion for public housing tenants, working-class individuals, or people of color due to these revelations.
“We want to make sure that Gustavo will not put us in the back of the bus by excluding black and brown people from policymaking,” McCall stated. He also raised concerns about the DSA's perceived lack of regard for the over 500,000 residents of the New York City Housing Authority, many of whom are Black, Latino, and Hispanic individuals. “He must resign. He must resign. He must resign,” McCall reiterated.
Gordillo had not responded to a request for comment as of Tuesday.
![DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo holding a Starbucks cup, wearing a hat that says