search

The Real Deal Logo

Trending

Housing deal finally passes; here are the detailsHousing deal finally passes; here are the detailsHow Hochul played the “good cause eviction” game, and wonHow Hochul played the “good cause eviction” game, and wonCreditors demand WeWork consider Adam Neumann’s offerCreditors demand WeWork consider Adam Neumann’s offerLombard mall redevelopment gears up despite loan troublesLombard mall redevelopment gears up despite loan troubles
New York

#JustKidding, in 140 characters or less

Comic relief — and commentary— fills the fake Twitter accounts of industry leaders

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement of a deal with legislators to extend the 421a tax abatement was greeted with this tweet from @LeonardLitwin: “So where’s the partay? Looking for an impromptu celebration. We will plan something grandiose after.”

Two days later, as the Albany negotiations continued, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara asked, “YALL FINALLY WRAPPING UP THE SESSION SO I CAN START ARRESTING FOLKS AGAIN?”

The tweets were real. The writers behind them? Not so much.

The Litwin handle belongs not to the 100-year-old developer embroiled in the state’s corruption scandals. As the account’s bio states, it’s “obviously a parody,” one that was quite active during the rent regulation and 421a negotiations, frequently noting the power of $1 million in political donations.

The real Litwin, unsurprisingly, doesn’t appear to use Twitter.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

Wannabe Bharara posts under the name @NotPreetBharara. The federal prosecutor’s actual tweets can be found through the official U.S. Attorney account at @SDNYNews. And the U.S. Attorney can rest easily. The real thing has 6,645 followers compared to NotPreet’s 44.

Parody accounts were likely born the day after co-founder Jack Dorsey sent his first tweet on the social media network in 2006. The NYC real estate community has certainly not been immune over the years.

The social-media savvy Aby Rosen of RFR Realty has an impersonator, @BabyJRosen, which tweets as “Aby Rosen’s Ego.” For the record, the social universe seems more interested in what the real Rosen, whose handle is @AbyRosen, has to say: he has 448 followers, to BabyJRosen’s 51.

There’s also several parody accounts attributed to Related Chairman Steven Ross, although tweets from the likes of @StephenRossFake are more concerned with his role as owner of football’s Miami Dolphins than the construction of Hudson Yards. An earlier account that used his name, but without the “fake” notation, appears to be taken down.

One popular tack is accounts featuring “voices” related to events, like tweets from the crane atop One57 that collapsed during Superstorm Sandy, @One57Crane, which has been inactive since 2013. There’s also more long-lasting feeds, like the masquerade of the luxe tower @432ParkAveNYC.

A tweet from this account on a recent hot day captured the controversy regarding ultra-tall towers, and the role of parody accounts, with characters to spare:

“I hope all of you @NYC residents complaining about the heat are enjoying my free shade. I’ll throw some more later.”