Eric Adams Vows to Stay in NYC Race as Trump Allies Consider Field Moves

Mayor Eric Adams Denies Rumors of Leaving Re-election Race

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has firmly denied rumors that he might abandon his re-election campaign if offered a position in the Trump administration. The speculation comes amid reports that aides to former President Donald Trump have considered offering Adams a role in the administration as part of an effort to influence the upcoming mayoral race.

During an unrelated press conference in the Bronx, Adams was asked about the possibility of stepping down from the race. He responded with clear determination, stating, “I have a job. I’m running for my reelection. I am still doing that, and I’m looking forward to getting reelected.” His statement reaffirmed his commitment to the campaign despite the swirling rumors.

The New York Times first reported on the discussions surrounding potential job offers for both Adams and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. According to the report, the idea is to create a narrower field ahead of the November general election, which could benefit former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the June Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani by 12 points.

Cuomo’s campaign spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, but the news of Trump's involvement in the race could be advantageous for Mamdani, the Democratic nominee. During a press conference in Manhattan, Mamdani accused Trump of trying to undermine the democratic process in New York City, citing the potential job offer for Adams as evidence.

“The reason that so many New Yorkers are fed up with politics as they know it is because of news like this,” Mamdani said. “Backroom deals, corrupt agreements, all of which serve to increase the sense of disaffection and despair as it pertains to how people feel about politics across this country.”

Mamdani also expressed confidence in his ability to win the general election, regardless of the candidates he faces. “I don’t care about who we will face in November. We’ll beat them all,” he added.

John Catsimatidis, a Republican businessman and close friend of Trump, has warned that Mamdani’s candidacy would be dangerous for the city. He believes Trump does not want a socialist to become mayor of New York. “New York is the capitalist capital of the world and should continue to be that,” Catsimatidis said.

Cuomo, who has denied speaking to Trump about the mayoral race, claims he would have a better chance against Mamdani in a two-way contest rather than the current crowded field. The race includes Sliwa, a long-time figure in New York City, known for his work as a citizen vigilante and founder of the Guardian Angels.

Sliwa has also denied any interest in a job with the White House, stating, “The White House has not contacted me, and I’m not interested in a job with the White House. My focus is right here in New York. I’m the only candidate on a major party line who can defeat Mamdani, and I’m committed to carrying this fight through to Election Day.”

Speculation about Adams’ future has been ongoing for months. Recently, an undisclosed trip to Florida sparked further rumors when Adams initially described it as “personal” before later mentioning meetings with political figures. However, his campaign has denied any discussions with Trump regarding the mayoral race.

Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Adams’ campaign, stated, “Mayor Adams has not met with Donald Trump — don’t believe the noise. He is not dropping out of the race.” He emphasized that Adams remains focused on winning the election, highlighting his record of reducing crime and increasing jobs in the city.

Adams’ campaign has faced challenges due to corruption accusations involving some of his closest allies. Last month, a former top advisor was indicted on charges of corruption and bribery. Additionally, Adams himself faced federal charges earlier this year related to soliciting donations from foreign nationals, though the case was dismissed at the direction of the Trump administration.

Despite these challenges, Adams continues to deny any wrongdoing and maintains that he is focused on his re-election bid. When asked about potential job offers, he acknowledged receiving calls from private industries and educational institutions but reiterated his commitment to the campaign.

“I have been getting calls from private industries, from boards, from educational institutions I have been getting offers,” Adams said. “To say would you take a job in an administration, or would I take it somewhere else, that is hypothetical. I am running for office, I’m going to finish doing that. I got work to do, I have more ribbons to cut before I finish up this term.”