New York City's Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has soared to stardom within his party, championing socialist policies and promising affordability. Now, President Donald Trump may be attempting to tip the scales.
Trump has reportedly tried to trim down the playing field to weaken Mamdani's chances of winning the general election. Although Mamdani has enjoyed a comfortable lead over the star-studded cast of candidates, consolidating the race would toughen the chances for the 33-year-old socialist.
'Are we a party that rallies behind our nominee or not?'
Mamdani's main challengers include current NYC Mayor Eric Adams and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both of whom boast lengthy political careers. Despite this, Adams has trailed significantly behind both Cuomo and Mamdani, sometimes polling in single digits.
Notably, polls show that Cuomo's odds improve against Mamdani if Adams is taken out of the equation.
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In light of this disparity, some reports claimed the White House was weighing offering Adams a position in the administration if he stepped out of the race. One such position included nominating Adams to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia, according to the New York Post.
Despite the cushy offer, Adams doubled down on staying in the race and running as an independent.
"Andrew Cuomo is a snake and a liar, I am in this race, and I am the only one that can beat Mamdani," Adams said Friday.
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Even with the probability of Adams as a spoiler, high-ranking Democrats have refrained from making any formal endorsements in the race. As of this writing, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have all withheld from endorsing the Democratic nominee.
“We have a Democratic nominee,” Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told reporters. “Are we a party that rallies behind our nominee or not?”
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was expected to make an "important campaign announcement" on Friday afternoon, which further fueled speculation that he was considering ending his re-election campaign.
A report from the New York Times, citing anonymous sources, claimed Adams may soon leave the race to pursue a position with President Donald Trump's administration as the ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
'Those reports are wrong; I'm not.'
Adams held the press conference outside Gracie Mansion on Friday afternoon. He stood behind a sign that read "Re-elect Eric" to announce that he has no plans to withdraw from the race.
"This polo shirt that I'm wearing that says, 'Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York,' I'm gonna wear that for another four years," he declared.
"I have two spoiled brats running for mayor," Adams said, presumably referring to Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo. "They were born with silver spoons in their mouths, not like working-class New Yorkers. I'm a working-class New Yorker. They are not like us. They've never had to fight. They never had to struggle. They never had to go through difficult times like you and I had to go through."
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He rejected reports claiming that he has plans to travel to Washington, D.C., on Monday.
"Those reports are wrong; I'm not. I'll be moving throughout this city, in the five boroughs that made me mayor in the first place," he continued. "I'm running for re-election."
Adams left the press conference without taking questions from reporters.
An Adams spokesperson previously denied the Times' rumors in a statement to Newsmax on Friday ahead of the scheduled announcement.
"Serving New Yorkers as their mayor is the only job I've ever wanted," the statement read. "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."
"While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made. I am still running for re-election, and my full focus is on the safety and quality of life of every New Yorker," the statement added.
Trump has stated that he would like to see two mayoral candidates drop out of the race to increase the chances of beating Mamdani, a Democratic front-runner. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and disgraced former Governor Cuomo (D) also remain in the race.
"I don't like to see a communist become mayor, I will tell you that," Trump said of Mamdani.
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Major cities across the country show radical leaders gaining momentum in their races for mayor — and New York City candidate Zohran Mamdani is leading them all.
The AARP New York-Gotham Polling and Analytics poll shows that the Queens assemblyman has taken a commanding lead in every possible scenario in this year’s race, with a whopping 41.8% support.
The same poll had former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who’s running as an independent, with 23.4% support; Republican nominee and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa with 16.5% support; and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent, with only 8.8% support.
“Even Sliwa is ahead of Eric Adams. Why do they hate this guy so much?” BlazeTV host Pat Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”
“It’s too bad, ’cause he’s not done that bad a job, I don’t think,” he adds.
Over in Minneapolis, Democratic socialist and mayoral candidate Omar Fateh, a Somali-American, is holding his political rallies — which don’t appear to feature any American flags — in a foreign language.
Gray is disturbed, only muttering, “Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
A top adviser and former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams (I) struggled to explain why she handed a reporter a bag of chips stuffed with cash.
The City reported on Wednesday that Winnie Greco, a longtime Adams ally, requested to meet with its reporter Katie Honan across the street from Adams' newest campaign office. The two walked to a nearby Whole Foods, where Greco handed Honan an open bag of chips with the top folded closed.
'In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.'
Greco reportedly insisted Honan take the bag, despite the reporter stating she could not accept it.
After parting ways, Honan opened the bag and discovered that it contained a red envelope with over $100 in cash. The City reported that Honan called Greco to tell her that she could not accept the money and tried to arrange its return.
Greco later spoke with the news outlet, apologizing profusely for her actions and insisting that it was a simple cultural misunderstanding.
"I make a mistake," Greco told the City. "I'm so sorry. It's a culture thing. I don't know. I don't understand. I'm so sorry. I feel so bad right now. I'm so sorry, honey."
Adams is locked in a hard re-election campaign. He declined to run in the Democratic campaign and instead is running as an independent. He is trailing the Democratic candidate, socialist Zohran Mamdani, as well as former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also running as an independent. Recent polls even show him behind the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels.
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During a later phone call with the City, Greco advised the news outlet to contact her attorney, Steven Brill.
"Can we forget about this? I try to be a good person. Please. Please. Please don't do in the news nothing about me," Greco said.
"I just wanted to be her friend," she continued. "I just wanted to have one good friend. It's nothing."
Greco and Brill rejected claims that the money exchange was a failed payoff attempt.
Brill told the City, "I can see how this looks strange."
"But I assure you that Winnie's intent was purely innocent," he declared. "In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude. Winnie is apologetic and embarrassed by any negative impression or confusion this may have caused."
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The City alerted the Adams campaign and the city's Department of Investigation about Honan's exchange with Greco.
Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Adams' office, told the news outlet, "We are shocked by these reports."
"Winnie Grecco [sic] holds no position in this campaign and has been suspended from all volunteer campaign-related activities," Shapiro stated. "Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter. He has always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards, and his sole focus remains on serving the people of New York City with integrity."
Diane Struzzi, DOI spokesperson, told the City, "DOI received allegations from the City and declines further comment."
The FBI raided Greco's Bronx residences last year amid a DOI investigation for allegedly improperly using her former government position for personal benefit.
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