On Sept. 5, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced he will remain in the November mayoral contest after reports that advisers to President Donald Trump had privately urged him to drop out, including by suggesting a possible ambassadorship.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Eric Adams said on Sept. 5 he will continue his reelection campaign and will campaign across New York City’s five boroughs.
- Sources told ABC News that Trump advisers and Republican donors explored persuading Adams to exit, with an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia discussed.
- An in-person meeting in Florida between Adams and adviser Steve Witkoff was reported as part of the outreach.
- Adams denied plans to visit the White House and said he would remain on the ballot to challenge leading Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
- Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has vowed to stay in the race; former Gov. Andrew Cuomo remains on the ballot running on an independent line.
Verified Facts
Adams held a Friday press briefing in New York City on Sept. 5, 2025, where he said he would not withdraw and that he planned to campaign locally rather than travel to Washington. He repeated that he believes he is best positioned to defeat Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who leads in recent polls.
ABC News reported that Trump advisers and some New York Republican donors have, in recent weeks, explored options to remove Adams from the contest. The network cited sources who said a potential ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia was among options discussed; The New York Times first reported on a recent Florida meeting between Adams and developer Steve Witkoff linked to the outreach.
Adams directly refuted reports that he would visit the White House on Monday after the press conference, saying he would instead be campaigning in the city. Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa has publicly pledged to remain in the contest; if both Adams and Sliwa were to leave, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo would remain a major rival to Mamdani on the ballot.
Context & Impact
The disclosures expose a rare instance of cross-party maneuvering centered on fears among Republican donors and advisers that Zohran Mamdani could win the general election. Persuading a sitting mayor to exit through an appointment would be an unusual strategy in a high-profile city contest and would likely prompt scrutiny of federal involvement in a local race.
Short-term effects include intensified campaign activity in the five boroughs as Adams seeks to shore up support and rebut reports of negotiations. Longer-term, the episode could shift donor alignments and messaging ahead of November, and it raises questions about how outside actors may try to influence municipal contests.
Official Statements
I am in the race. And I am the only one that can beat Mamdani. I will be moving throughout this city in the five boroughs that made me mayor in the first place, and I am not stepping aside.
Mayor Eric Adams, Sept. 5, 2025 press conference
“I’d prefer not to have a communist mayor of New York City,”
Former President Donald Trump, Sept. 4, 2025
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- Whether an official ambassadorship offer was formally made to Mayor Adams.
- The full content and outcomes of the reported Florida meeting between Adams and Steve Witkoff.
- Specific steps Republican donors urged the Trump team to take beyond exploring outreach to Adams.
Bottom Line
Mayor Adams’ decision to stay in the race maintains the current multi-candidate dynamic heading into November and undercuts efforts reported by some sources to replace him via an appointment. The episode highlights the high stakes local actors and national figures view in the New York mayoral contest and sets up intensified campaigning in the weeks ahead.