President Donald Trump’s administration is now reportedly considering New York City Mayor Eric Adams for a potential ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
The move comes as Mr. Adams faces steep political headwinds, polling in the single digits in his bid for a second term, and as the mayoralty race appears poised to consolidate around fewer candidates.
The ambassadorship discussion, first reported on Friday morning, would give Mr. Adams a high-profile role while allowing the city’s mayoral contest to focus on fewer contenders.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who shares a base of moderate, older, and blue-collar voters with Mr. Adams, could benefit from a narrower field. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has vowed not to exit the race and has been polling in third place behind Mr. Cuomo.
President Trump on Thursday emphasized his interest in avoiding the election of a “communist” mayor, signaling support for a winnowed, two-person race to counter the momentum of Democratic socialist front-runner Zohran Mamdani.
“The idea is to consolidate the opposition to someone who would fundamentally reshape the city’s politics,” a person familiar with the White House discussions said. While the mayor has publicly denied speaking with Mr. Trump about potential federal posts, sources indicate that Mr. Adams has also discussed a position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The mayor met this week with Trump’s team in Florida, a session reportedly attended by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.
“My life has been pressure. That’s what my life is. Pressure. No pressure, no diamonds,” Mr. Adams told reporters Thursday when asked about potential influence or coercion to step aside. “You’re supposed to succumb to that? That’s not what I do.”
The possibility of a federal role underscores the broader concern among conservatives about the rise of Mr. Mamdani, whose candidacy has attracted attention from top Democrats including Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Party leaders face pressure to coalesce support behind the young candidate in order to secure the city for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
During a campaign event Thursday, Mr. Adams also highlighted his past diplomatic experience in the Middle East, referencing visits to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman. “Those who are of the Muslim faith, close to a million here in the city of New York, crossing the entire span of the globe, they matter,” he said. “And when I visited Saudi Arabia, when I visited Jordan, when I visited Oman when I visit part of the African diaspora and watched the Muslim population there, they truly believe in peace, they believe in forgiveness, and they believe in the prosperity of the countries they are in, and particularly this city.”
With his political position weakening in the crowded field and Trump signaling potential support for a restructured race, the consideration of Mr. Adams for an ambassadorship could offer a path that preserves both his influence and the stability of the mayoral election.
A shift to federal service would allow conservative and moderate voices to focus on countering Mr. Mamdani’s progressive agenda while positioning Mr. Adams in a prestigious diplomatic role.
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