Mayor Eric Adams forcefully rejected speculation Friday that he is preparing to abandon his uphill re-election campaign in exchange for a position in the Trump administration.
Adams Rejects Dropout Talk
“I am staying in this race, I am the only one who can beat [Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran] Mamdani,” Adams said during a hastily arranged press conference at Gracie Mansion on September 5.
His remarks came hours after he issued a carefully worded statement that left the door open to future opportunities in Washington. “I will always listen if called to serve our country,” Adams said.
Reports have circulated that he has been offered a role at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is being considered for ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro later confirmed Adams recently met with Trump advisor Steve Witkoff in Florida. However, Adams denied he would meet with Trump officials in Washington next week, dismissing an NY1 report suggesting otherwise. Neither Adams nor Shapiro clarified whether such a meeting could occur at a later date.
Taking Aim at Rivals
Running as an independent after skipping the Democratic primary, Adams faces a crowded four-way general election against Mamdani, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Polls currently show Mamdani ahead, with moderates and independents divided among the other three candidates.
On Friday, Adams lashed out at Cuomo, accusing him of orchestrating reports about his potential withdrawal. Adams called Cuomo a “snake and a liar,” alleging that Cuomo has a history of undermining Black politicians. Adams provided no evidence for the claim.
Mamdani has also accused Cuomo of working with Trump to sideline Adams, though Cuomo denied having any contact with Trump in over a year. Cuomo’s campaign declined to comment directly on Adams’ attacks.
Adams Stresses His Record
Adams painted himself as the candidate of working-class New Yorkers, contrasting his background with Mamdani and Cuomo, whom he called “two spoiled brats running for mayor.”
“They are not like us. They never had to fight. They never had to struggle. They never had to go through difficult times like you and I,” he said.
Mamdani, in turn, blamed both Adams and Cuomo for worsening the city’s affordability crisis, the centerpiece of his campaign. “In November, we’re going to deliver a city working New Yorkers can afford,” Mamdani said.
Despite polling far behind, Adams vowed to fight on, touting reductions in crime, post-pandemic recovery efforts, and homelessness initiatives since taking office in 2022. “We can’t go backwards,” he said.
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