

No, you’re right. But also,
Al-Falih [one of the VCs] said in an email that he does not endorse Mamdani but found Maguire’s comments over the holiday weekend “appalling.”
Nowhere in that article does it suggest that any of these VCs support Mamdani. They’re only trying to distance themselves from someone who said the quiet part out loud.
His presence would surely interfere, but ideally, politicians are supposed to bring their elected authority to bear by coordinating resources (as you describe). It’s much more effective to do that when you’re physically present, or at least not on a Mediterranean vacation six timezones away.