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Influencers are now top NY export — and these creators reveal why

Nypost · 🇺🇸 public United States · · 662 words · By Katherine Donlevy
Influencer Economy New York City Cultural Identity
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What to know about Influencer Economy

Influencers are now top NY export — and these creators reveal why See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center50%
Right50%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Influencers are now top NY export — and these creators reveal why See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleNow we’re the Entertainment State.

Common ground

Social-media stars are turning into one of New York’s biggest exports, with the state producing the second-largest number of top influencers across the US — many of them no-nonsense regular Joes, according to a survey.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/us-news/influencers-are-now-top-ny-export-and-thes…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Glittering Generalities 70% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info
Claim 1: “The Golden State can boast having produced 25%, or 140, of the country’s 560 top influencers.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific statistics (25% or 140 of 560 top influencers) are found in one source. While another source mentions California dominated, it provides a different number (136), making the specific 140/560 figure a single-source claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2010 California gubernatorial election was held November 2, 2010, to elect the governor of California. The primary elections were held on June 8, 2010. Because constitutional office holders in Cal…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_California_gubernatorial_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of the most populous municipal corporations of the United States. As defined by the United States Census Bureau, an incorporated place includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and mu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_b…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 2: “Danny Mondello... better known on TikTok as Cugine”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm that Danny Mondello is known as 'Cugine' or 'Meals by Cugine' on TikTok.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — His nearly two million followers know him as "Meals by Cugine" on TikTok and Instagram, but Danny Mondello says there's more to being a social media foodie than just numbers. (Photo: Danny Mondello; d…
https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/tiktok-foodie-danny-mondello-a…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Danny Mondello, better known online as Cugine, is a rising name in the food content scene with a clear Italian-American flair.
https://www.favikon.com/blog/who-is-danny-mondello-aka-cugin…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — What They Do Well: Danny Mondello, known by his 2 million followers as Cugine, is a Staten-Island based food influencer who’s captivated the attention of TikTok with his food lifestyle centered around…
https://www.ubiquitousinfluence.com/post/tiktok-food-influen…
info
Claim 3: “the local group’s combined 2 billion followers”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific figure of 2 billion followers for New York creators is mentioned in one web search result, but not corroborated by other independent sources.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Discover the world’s 100 social media top influencers today—spanning beauty, tech, travel, fashion, and more—in an insightful ranking!
https://www.amraandelma.com/top-influencers-in-the-world/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — We found 1677 New York City Food influencers (identified because they used 'Food' in their Instagram bio) with the majority of their audience in United States. Here's the top 20 of them.
https://www.modash.io/find-influencers/united-states/new-yor…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Discover the top 100 parenting influencers shaping family life with invaluable tips and hacks.Access in-depth campaign reports and identify your top-performing influencers to maximize ROI.
https://www.influencer-hero.com/top-influencers/top-120-pare…
schedule
Claim 4: “Mondello, who will soon celebrate the year-anniversary of his popular sandwich shop, Casa Cugine, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: “Another local influencer, Louie Fevola... The lifelong Brooklynite”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 6: “California has a collective 7.5 billion [followers].”
SINGLE SOURCE
The collective 7.5 billion followers for California is mentioned in one source.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 8 days ago · New York creators generate more than 2 billion followers, while California has a collective 7.5 billion. Some of the biggest stars across ...
https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/us-news/influencers-are-now-to…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 15, 2025 · Alix Earle. @alixearle 7.5 million followers on TikTok. After going viral in 2022 with glamorously chaotic TikToks, Earle, 24, parlayed her fame ...
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/most-powerful-influe…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — We have gathered a list of those 100 most powerful top influencers in tech, fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle who work with some of the largest brands.
https://www.amraandelma.com/top-influencers-in-the-world/
help
Claim 7: “The 29-year-old started his social-media journey while in college in the Hudson Valley”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding Danny Mondello's college history in the Hudson Valley.
schedule
Claim 8: “his 2.6 million TikTok followers”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 9: “his following exploded in 2021 when he returned home and began capturing content about his life in the Big Apple.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the specific timing (2021) or nature of Danny Mondello's growth in relation to returning home to NYC.
info
Claim 10: “The US overall produces 28% of the world’s biggest creators.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that the US produces 28% of the world's biggest creators is found in one specific article.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States of America is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, a federal district (Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States), five major territories, and minor islands. Bot…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_and_territories…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over s…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_St…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic consisting of 50 states and a federal c…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 11: “Around 11% of America’s biggest influencers, or 62 of the country’s most followed online oracles, call the Empire State home”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources provide the specific figures: 11% or 62 of the country's most followed influencers residing in New York.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New York, also called New York State, is a state located in the northeastern United States. Bordering New England to its east, Canada to its north, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey to its south, it ext…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Queens, coextensive with Queens County, is the largest by area of the five boroughs and counties in New York City, New York, United States. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 12: “the state producing the second-largest number of top influencers across the US”
CORROBORATED
The claim is reported by two independent web sources: one article explicitly stating NY produces the second-largest number of top influencers and another from Yonkers Newswire mentioning the percentage of influencers calling the Empire State home.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New York most commonly refers to: New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Queens, coextensive with Queens County, is the largest by area of the five boroughs and counties in New York City, New York, United States. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 13: “The only state experiencing a heavier influencer boom is California, according to a number-crunching report by sports-betting big BETMGM, which researched the birthplaces of the world’s top 2,000 creators.”
CORROBORATED
The BETMGM report and California's top position are mentioned in two separate web search results.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The BetMGM Network (known on air as The Bet) is a radio network owned and operated by Audacy, Inc. that focuses on the world of sports betting. It is heard on the Audacy app as well as Audacy's portfo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BetMGM_Network
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Darren Elias (born November 18, 1986) is an American professional poker player. He holds the record for most World Poker Tour titles, with four.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Elias
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — MGM Resorts International is an American multinational hospitality, sports and entertainment company. It operates resorts in Las Vegas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, New Jerse…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Resorts_International
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.