White House Considers Adams Ambassadorship

Trump Administration advisers have discussed offering government positions to New York City Mayor Eric Adams to reshape NYC's mayoral race.

The NYC mayoral race entered a chaotic phase following June's Democratic primary, where State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo by 13 points. Cuomo subsequently launched an independent campaign, joining incumbent Mayor Adams, who also ran as an independent after avoiding the Democratic primary. Republican Curtis Sliwa, a frequent candidate who has never come close to winning, is representing the GOP. Recent polling showed Mamdani leading with 30 to 40% support, followed by Cuomo in the low to mid-20s, Sliwa in the teens, and Adams as low as the single digits.

The Trump Administration has reportedly been exploring the possibility of offering positions to both Adams and Sliwa as part of a strategy to clear the field for Cuomo, in order to ensure that Mamdani – a democratic socialist – does not win.

Multiple sources confirmed that Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate investor and Trump adviser, actively pursued these discussions in recent days. Witkoff met personally with Adams early last week in Florida and spoke with others close to the mayor. The administration is reportedly considering various positions for Adams, including an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia, though the mayor said Friday evening that he has no plans of dropping out.

Mamdani called the reported discussions "an affront to our democracy" at a press conference last Wednesday. "Today, we have learned what New Yorkers have long suspected – that Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump's choice to be the next mayor of this city," he said. Adams' campaign denied he had spoken with Trump or received any job offers. Sliwa stated that the White House had not contacted him and reiterated he had no interest in an administration job. "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," he said.

If Adams were to accept a nomination, it's unclear whether he would serve out his term or resign as a condition of the job. Election law would prevent Adams or Sliwa from removing their names from the ballot even if they withdrew from the race, due to existing ballot certification and printing timelines.