Reports this week suggest that New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quietly approached about joining the Trump administration, with a potential spot at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In return, Adams would drop out of the mayoral race.
The idea, outed by Politico, comes as Adams struggles at the bottom of the polls. His chances of winning look dim, while far-left Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has surged as the frontrunner. For many New Yorkers, Mamdani represents the sharp left turn that has fueled the city’s rising crime, shrinking tax base, and worsening quality of life.
A Trump-Adams deal, if it ever materialized, would not be about Adams personally. It would be about strategy. Trump has deep ties to New York and understands what a Mamdani victory would mean: higher taxes, more radical policies, and an even faster exodus of families and businesses from the city. By moving Adams aside, moderate voters could rally behind a stronger challenger such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican in the race, would also play a role. If both Adams and Sliwa stepped away, the ranked-choice system would give Cuomo the best chance of consolidating support and blocking Mamdani. That outcome would serve both Trump’s political instincts and the interests of New Yorkers tired of watching the city slip further into chaos. With all that said, Cuomo is far from ideal but could be better for desperate New Yorkers than the avowed communist in Mamdani.
Adams, however, is not conceding. “I’m running for office. And that’s exactly what I intend to do,” he said. His campaign spokesman, Todd Shapiro, dismissed the speculation, saying Adams has not met with Trump and remains fully committed to the race. Sliwa has also said he has not been approached and has no interest in a federal post.
Even so, the chatter underscores how desperate many moderates are to stop Mamdani. His platform resembles the most extreme elements of the progressive movement: rent freezes, government-run services, and sky-high taxes on anyone with means. That may thrill the activist left, but it is toxic to the city’s long-term health. A Mamdani win would all but guarantee more middle-class exodus and greater dependence on government handouts.
Whether Adams ever seriously considered a Trump offer is beside the point. What matters is that political players on both sides see Mamdani as a danger to New York’s future. Trump’s team is reportedly engaged because the outcome of this race will shape the nation’s largest city for years to come.
The bottom line is simple. Adams may insist he is staying in, but the real story is the fear of a Mamdani takeover. Voters who want a livable, prosperous New York will need to rally behind a candidate strong enough to beat him. Adams will likely hold out longer for a better position or for certain conditions to be met before he would consider exiting the race to join the Trump administration.