In a surprising turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is reportedly set to meet with White House officials next week to discuss a potential position in President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to the New York Post, the speculation surrounding Adams’ political future has intensified as he navigates dismal poll numbers, considers lucrative offers, and faces pressure to exit the mayoral race, while a possible role as ambassador to Saudi Arabia looms on the horizon.
Adams, currently running as an independent for re-election in November, has seen his support dwindle to single digits in recent surveys. This stands in stark contrast to his opponent, Zohran Mamdani, who secured a significant lead after an upset victory in the Democratic primary in June. Meanwhile, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also in the race, holds poll numbers in the mid-to-high 20s, though his potential to attract Adams’ supporters remains uncertain.
Earlier this week, Adams met with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, during a trip to Florida. Witkoff is said to be pushing for Adams to be nominated as the next ambassador to Saudi Arabia, though the seriousness of this proposal remains unclear as of Friday. Sources close to the mayor suggest he would consider such a role only if it carries substantial prestige, viewing lesser positions as beneath his current status.
On Friday morning, Adams’ campaign team held an urgent meeting lasting over an hour, canceling a scheduled mayoral event amid swirling rumors of pressure from the Trump administration. Later that afternoon, standing outside Gracie Mansion, Adams firmly denied heading to Washington, D.C., on Monday, despite sources confirming a meeting with White House representatives is tentatively planned for early next week. “I’m running and I’m going to beat [Zohran] Mamdani,” Adams declared, pushing back against speculation about his exit from the race.
Adams also took a sharp jab at Cuomo, stating, “Andrew Cuomo is a snake and a liar. I am in this race, and I’m the only one who can beat Mamdani. Andrew has had a career of pushing black candidates out of races.” The political strategy behind a potential deal with the Trump administration appears to involve Adams stepping aside to bolster Cuomo’s chances against Mamdani in a one-on-one contest. President Trump, commenting on the situation, noted, “I would say that Cuomo might have a chance of winning if it was one-on-one. If it’s not one on one, it’s going to be a hard race.”
Trump, who is expected to attend the US Open in Queens on Sunday and a Yankee game on Thursday, coinciding with the September 11 anniversary, denied offering Adams any position. “There’s nothing wrong with doing that, but I didn’t do that,” Trump stated, clarifying his stance on the rumors. Adams himself confirmed that no formal offer has been extended by the administration, a point echoed by sources familiar with the ongoing discussions.
A source close to the mayor revealed, “Eric Adams knows he can’t win [in November] and is exploring his options.” While Adams has received enticing offers from business leaders, he remains uninterested in private sector roles at this time, focusing instead on political opportunities. His long-term vision includes launching an international consultancy firm, though a prestigious diplomatic post could pave the way for significant prospects.
A former staffer to Mayor Michael Bloomberg commented, “I would think that Saudi Arabia is probably really interesting to Eric because the relationship one would make to a gulf state with their voluminous amount of investments and certainly could be very lucrative down the road.” However, a source close to Adams cautioned, “Going into the Trump administration closes some doors. He would be tied to the Trump administration for better or for worse.” Adams reportedly views a role at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as beneath him, holding firm to his standards for any potential position.
Leaving City Hall for a White House role could shape Adams’ legacy, with some drawing comparisons to former Mayor Jimmy Walker, who resigned amid corruption allegations in 1932. Ken Frydman, a former press secretary to Rudy Giuliani, noted, “Roosevelt forced corrupt Mayor Walker to resign on September 1, 1932, two years into his second term.” Frydman added, “Walker hightailed it to Europe with Betty Compton, his Ziegfeld girlfriend. Better than DC.”
Frydman also remarked on Adams’ mindset, saying, “Like all politicians, Eric Adams has an outsize ego. He won’t settle for undersecretary or ambassador to a third-world country.” A former Bloomberg staffer echoed this sentiment, explaining, “DC is extraordinarily hierarchical, so a big job isn’t a big job unless you have a security detail and those are few and far between.” The staffer further noted, “An ambassadorship route is a little easier to execute because there are more options and those have a lot of prestige, especially in powerful and important countries.”
Adding to the complexity, billionaire Bill Ackman, once a supporter of Adams, announced on Friday that he is now backing Cuomo. Ackman stated, “Eric should step aside and not run for reelection. Eric’s polls have deteriorated substantially since the primary, and it has become increasingly clear that he does not have a chance to beat @ZohranKMamdani.” This shift in support underscores the mounting challenges Adams faces as he weighs his next steps.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has refrained from endorsing any candidate in the mayoral race, maintaining a neutral stance. Similarly, prominent Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries have not publicly supported Mamdani, despite his primary win. Hochul criticized Trump’s involvement, saying, “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.”
Under state law, Adams can only be removed from the November ballot if he resigns as mayor and relocates outside New York City. He is currently deliberating whether to suspend his campaign, step down immediately, or preserve his campaign funds for a future political endeavor. The decisions Adams makes in the coming days could redefine his career trajectory and impact the dynamics of the mayoral race.