New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he didn’t talk to President-elect Donald Trump about the former’s ongoing corruption case during their meeting on Friday.
The mayor has been friendlier to Trump than other Democrats, partially indicated by his meeting with him, which he told a reporter went “well,” and has dodged criticizing him at points. In October, a month before the presidential election, Adams said Democrats should turn down the political rhetoric when asked about the Democrats who said he should disavow Trump’s support.
Adams said he spoke to Trump mainly about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, how to bring back manufacturing jobs to New York, and how the pair can make federal investments into the city.
“President Trump and I had a productive conversation about New York’s needs and what’s best for our city, and how the federal government can play a more helpful role in improving the lives of New Yorkers,” the mayor said in a statement. “While we briefly touched on a number of issues, we specifically focused on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and how it will have a positive impact on public safety in our country; how we can bring manufacturing jobs back to New York, particularly in the Bronx; and how we can continue to make federal investments in New York City, especially when it comes to infrastructure.”
The mayor added that anyone who thinks Trump and himself shouldn’t meet “clearly care more about politics than people.”
“To be clear, we did not discuss my legal case, and those who suggest the mayor of the largest city in the nation shouldn’t meet with the incoming president to discuss our city’s priorities because of inaccurate speculation or because we’re from different parties clearly care more about politics than people,” he said. “Like I’ve always done, I will take every opportunity possible to advocate for New Yorkers and our city, and after our discussion, I strongly believe there is much our city and the federal government can partner on to make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable. I thank President Trump for his time and attention and look forward to working with him to benefit all New Yorkers.”
Adams said he would reveal more details about his trip when he returned home.
Trump has taken the opportunity to reference Adams’s legal case when the pair have been in the public eye before. At the October Al Smith Dinner, which both attended, Trump took the opportunity to say, “Mayor Adams, good luck with everything. They went after you, Mayor. Oh boy, I knew that.”
New York Democrats were skeptical before the meeting that the topic of Adams’s legal case wouldn’t come up.
One of his primary mayoral challengers in the 2025 mayoral race, city Comptroller Brad Lander, said hearing about the trip had “made my head explode” and said the mayor should publicly say he would not seek or accept a pardon.
“It’s infuriating that the mayor is so transparently willing to trade the well-being of New Yorkers and the values of our city for a pardon for himself,” he said.
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New York Republicans take the opposite view, supporting the trip and the spirit of bipartisanship between the two. “The public has been clear — they are tired of migrant gangs causing havoc in our city and costing us billions of dollars,” New York City Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli, a Republican, said. “I suspect the majority of New Yorkers want there to be cooperation between the mayor and president on this and other issues that affect our city, from transportation to housing.”
A pardon from Trump would clear Adams of his crimes, which originate from taking bribes and soliciting illicit campaign contributions from Turkish nationals. He also allegedly obtained public matching campaign funds fraudulently. His trial begins in April.
