Rumors are heating up around New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whose independent reelection bid appears to be on shaky ground.
Sources close to the Trump team say high-level officials are discussing offering Adams a prominent federal role — possibly an ambassadorship — if he agrees to drop out of the race.
It’s unclear if the idea has reached President Trump directly, but the conversations are reportedly taking place among senior advisers.
According to reports, Adams could even help define the position and carve out a portfolio suited to his preferences. Others speculate a diplomatic post could align with his long-term ambitions after City Hall.
Some strategists, both inside and outside the GOP, are also trying to consolidate support behind a single anti-Mamdani candidate. That effort includes encouraging candidates like Curtis Sliwa to step aside, potentially in exchange for a federal role.
As Fox 5 New York reports, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani held an “emergency press conference” over alleged offers to Adams and Sliwa, aimed at uniting the opposition vote behind former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo:
The Democratic nominee said there were many ethical issues with these alleged conversations when asked if the talks could be a form of quid pro quo.
“I have not met a single New Yorker that has told me they want Donald Trump to determine the course of this election,” Mamdani said at the press conference. “We choose our own leaders.”
When asked about facing off with fellow mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani said, “I have no issue facing Andrew Cuomo one-on-one… if I was worried about polling, I wouldn’t be the Democratic nominee.”
Mamdani also said he believes Cuomo has been “having conversations with Donald Trump,” as well.
For its part, Mayor Adams’ team is pushing back hard.
A spokesperson dismissed the reports, saying Adams hasn’t met with Trump and isn’t entertaining any exit strategy.
“Mayor Adams has not met with Donald Trump — don’t believe the noise. He is not dropping out of the race,” the statement read.
“The Mayor is fully committed to winning this election, with millions of New Yorkers preparing to cast their votes. His record is clear: crime is down, jobs are up, and he has consistently stood up for working families. Mayor Adams is focused on building on that progress and earning four more years to continue delivering for the people of New York.”
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa also issued a statement:
Observers, including the New York Post, now consider Mamdani the undisputed “front-runner in New York City’s mayoral race,” citing his strong backing from disillusioned young voters drawn to his socialist platform.
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