New York City Mayor Eric Adams is poised to make a significant announcement regarding the future of his campaign on Friday afternoon. You can catch the live announcement on CBS News New York in the player above. This announcement follows speculation from a close friend and adviser of Adams, who informed CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer that while Adams remains publicly in the race, it is believed he could withdraw from the election within a week.
The backdrop of this political drama includes former President Donald Trump, who may be attempting to entice Adams away from the mayoral race with a potential government position. According to a report from The New York Times, Trump’s close advisers have discussed offering Adams the role of ambassador to Saudi Arabia if he decides to step down from the race for mayor. Additional diplomatic roles are also reportedly on the table, although Adams has stated that no formal offers have been made.
Despite facing low poll numbers and the refusal of the Campaign Finance Board to provide matching funds, Adams remains steadfast in his campaign. Earlier on Friday, he expressed his determination to seek reelection, stating, “Serving New Yorkers as their mayor is the only job I've ever wanted. I'm proud of the progress we've made lowering crime, improving schools, building housing, and cutting costs for working families — and I remain the best person to lead this city forward.”
In light of the ongoing speculation about Trump's influence, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has urged Adams not to accept any assistance from Trump. Hochul emphasized, “Well, contrary to what the president thinks, he's not a king, he's not a kingmaker, and he should not be anointing the next mayor of New York City. That is the right of New Yorkers to determine, and no one should be accepting that assistance.”
Hochul's comments reflect the growing concern over potential political interference as rumors swirl about whether Adams will continue his reelection campaign or accept a high-profile position from Trump. This speculation intensified after Adams' recent visit to Florida, where he met with one of Trump's top aides, Steve Witkoff.
Sources have revealed that the Trump administration is exploring job offers for both Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. The aim is to persuade them to exit the race, thereby creating a clearer path for former Governor Andrew Cuomo to face off against the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani. As Election Day approaches in just two months, Mamdani currently leads the polls in nearly all scenarios.
A recent poll by Tulchin Research indicated that in a direct matchup, Cuomo would defeat Mamdani. Businessman John Catsimatidis, who recently spoke with Trump, conveyed that the former president is determined to prevent Mamdani, a democratic socialist, from becoming the mayor of New York City. “He's going to do everything in his presidential powers to make sure that that doesn't happen,” Catsimatidis stated.
Trump's remarks have intensified the rivalry, as he labeled Mamdani a “communist” and expressed his preference for a one-on-one race to increase the chances of victory. Cuomo has remained silent on the White House's efforts to shape the race, yet he has challenged Mamdani to a series of debates throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
In a bold response, Mamdani countered Cuomo’s debate invitation by challenging Trump instead. “Why should I debate Donald Trump's puppet when I can debate Donald Trump himself?” he declared. “If Donald Trump is serious about this, he should come to New York City and we can have as many debates as you want about why he is cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers just to fund tax cuts for his billionaire donors.”
This unfolding political saga highlights the complex dynamics at play in New York City as the mayoral election draws closer, with the influence of national figures like Trump looming large over local candidates.
