At Gracie Mansion on Sept. 5, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams said he will remain a candidate in the New York City mayoral contest, rejecting speculation he would withdraw for a federal post and accusing rivals of being out of touch as he defended his record on public safety and city services.
Key Takeaways
- Adams held a news conference Sept. 5 at Gracie Mansion to deny reports he would drop out of the mayoral race.
- He credited his administration with post-pandemic crime reductions and argued he remains the best candidate to defeat Zohran Mamdani.
- Adams called two opponents ‘two spoiled brats running for mayor,’ contrasting them with his working-class background.
- Reports said the Trump White House discussed possible job offers, including an ambassadorship, to encourage exits; Adams and the White House denied formal offers.
- Advisers and a close friend have speculated Adams might still leave the race, a claim his camp did not confirm.
Verified Facts
On Sept. 5, 2025, Mayor Adams spoke from Gracie Mansion and publicly affirmed he will continue his 2025 reelection bid. He cited progress on crime reduction, school improvements, housing development and cost-cutting measures as reasons to remain in the contest.
Adams directly criticized former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other opponents, saying Cuomo ‘is a snake and a liar’ and arguing his own track record best positions him to beat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
Major media reporting, including accounts in national outlets, said advisers close to President Trump discussed potential federal posts for Adams and other candidates to change the mayoral field. The White House has denied making formal offers; Adams’ campaign likewise said no formal offer has been received.
Polling cited ahead of the conference shows Mamdani leading in many scenarios with a one-on-one matchup sometimes favoring Cuomo in specific polls. Adams acknowledged weak poll numbers while noting past polls had also overestimated Cuomo’s prospects before the primary.
Context & Impact
The claims of a potential federal appointment arrive roughly eight weeks before Election Day, at a moment when the race could shift if a high-profile candidate withdraws. A one-on-one contest could change voter calculations and campaign strategy across parties.
Governor Kathy Hochul publicly urged Adams not to accept outside intervention and warned against perceived interference from the White House in New York City elections. Her remarks frame the debate as both an ethical and political question about local autonomy.
National actors, including President Trump and business figures, have signaled strong interest in preventing a Mamdani mayoralty, arguing policy differences and potential national implications should he win.
Possible Effects
- A withdrawal by Adams could open a path for Andrew Cuomo to consolidate anti-Mamdani votes.
- Endorsements or federal appointments would likely face scrutiny from voters concerned about outside influence.
- Campaign messaging will likely intensify around public safety and economic stewardship in the final weeks.
Official Statements
‘Serving New Yorkers as their mayor is the only job I’ve ever wanted. While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for reelection.’
Statement from Mayor Eric Adams
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- Reports that President Trump offered or formally proposed an ambassadorship to Adams remain unconfirmed; both the White House and Adams’ campaign say no formal offer was made.
- An adviser close to Adams speculated he might exit the race within a week; the campaign has not confirmed a timeline or such a decision.
Bottom Line
Adams publicly reaffirmed his candidacy on Sept. 5 and framed the choice for voters as one between his experience on public safety and rivals he depicted as out of touch. With weeks left before Election Day, the field remains fluid: unconfirmed reports of outside offers and continued polling will shape whether that statement holds.