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Adams Rejects Calls to Step Aside
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made it clear on Friday that he has no intention of abandoning his reelection campaign, despite political maneuvering at the national level. The statement came after The New York Times reported that advisors to President Donald Trump had floated a plan to nominate Adams as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia in an effort to coax him out of the mayoral race.

Adams, currently trailing in a crowded four-way contest, insisted that he remains committed to New Yorkers. “I’m running for reelection, and I’m going to tell New Yorkers every day why I believe I should be the Mayor of the City of New York in 2026,” Adams said.

Trump’s Push for a Unified Opposition
Trump, who has taken an active interest in the New York mayoral race, has been urging some candidates to drop out to consolidate opposition against Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist. According to the president, the strongest contender in a one-on-one contest would be former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent.

“If it’s one-on-one, Cuomo might have a shot,” Trump told reporters. “But if multiple candidates stay in, it’s going to be very difficult, and New York risks ending up with a communist mayor.”

Adams Strikes Back at Cuomo
Speaking outside his official residence at Gracie Mansion, Adams fiercely rejected the notion that Cuomo could defeat Mamdani. “Andrew Cuomo is a snake and a liar,” Adams declared. “I’m in this race, and I’m the only one that can beat Mamdani. Andrew has a long history of pushing Black candidates out of races.”

He went further, appealing directly to voters: “I committed myself to this city, and I’m not going anywhere. This polo shirt that says Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York—I plan to wear it for another four years. We can’t go backwards.”

A Race Shaped by Scandal and Strategy
Adams has been under intense scrutiny since declining to pursue the Democratic nomination, a move influenced by declining approval ratings and a federal indictment on corruption charges. The case was dropped earlier this year at the Trump administration’s request, but the political fallout lingers.

Mamdani already demonstrated his strength by defeating Cuomo in the Democratic primary, solidifying his position as frontrunner. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has confirmed he will stay in the race, ensuring the contest remains fractured.

Looking Ahead
As the 2026 election approaches, New York City faces a high-stakes political battle. With Adams vowing to stay in, Cuomo positioning himself as the “alternative,” and Trump weighing in from the sidelines, the city’s mayoral race is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable and combative in recent memory.