Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago is trying to put distance between himself and a Facebook story that briefly appeared this week with the explicit phrase "Fuck Allah" across it, a post that hardly qualifies as routine political chatter.
According to Miami New Times, a tipster said they spotted the story around 6:40 a.m. on July 7 and grabbed screenshots before it disappeared. New Times reports it reviewed those images and a short video from a conservative influencer that featured the same slur superimposed over the footage. The story appeared to have been shared from an older Facebook page using the name "Vicente Lago," which the mayor says he no longer uses or controls.
The post singled out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani amid a wave of national mockery that followed his request that residents keep thermostats set around 78 degrees during a heat wave, a suggestion that drew coverage from CBS News New York.
Mayor's response
In an email to Miami New Times, Lago insisted he "did not post or share" the story and called the language "abhorrent." He said he does not currently use or control the older "Vicente Lago" account, adding that he and his team have reported the page and the post to Meta for review. The mayor wrote that the content does not reflect his views.
How the post may have appeared
The item appears to have been aimed at Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his request that New Yorkers set air conditioning to 78 degrees during the heat wave, as reported by CBS News New York.
Instagram and Facebook accounts can be linked so that Stories cross‑post automatically, a setup described in Meta’s help center. That technical link could offer one explanation for how an Instagram Story might show up on an older Facebook page using the mayor’s name.
Local record and reaction
The flare‑up adds to months of scrutiny over Lago’s online presence and City Hall infighting. Local 10 previously reported on an incident at City Hall involving the mayor and the city manager that triggered an internal affairs review, and local outlets have repeatedly highlighted sharp public exchanges and provocative social media posts tied to city politics.
The City of Coral Gables' official profile for the mayor lists his office contact information and links to his official social accounts, where residents can review his public statements directly through the city’s website.
City officials did not provide additional comment beyond Lago’s emailed response, and Meta had not issued a public statement on the matter as of publication. This story will be updated if the mayor’s office or Meta releases further information.
