NYC Mayor's Race: Eric Adams openly considers potential job offers from Trump, signaling potential shift in campaign stance

In a surprising turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is reportedly contemplating a job offer from the Trump administration, potentially abandoning his re-election bid.

According to The New York Times, Adams is seriously considering the offer, which could see him take on a role within the administration. The details of the position are yet to be disclosed, but Politico reported earlier this week that Trump's team has floated a post at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the mayor.

Top Trump aides are also said to be considering offering Adams an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia, according to reports from The "Paper of Record" and Politico. The mayor's statement came shortly after he abruptly cancelled his one scheduled public event on Friday morning.

Mayor Adams maintains that no formal offers have been made, and he continues to campaign for re-election. His potential departure from the race could have significant implications for the mayoral election, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo potentially strengthening his position.

If Adams and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa were to drop out, Cuomo could benefit from a less crowded field. However, Cuomo has stated that whatever Adams and Sliwa do is their business. He has also denied any recent conversations with Trump and claims to know "nothing about" the president offering Adams a job.

Cuomo is trying to capitalise on sentiment among centrists, Republicans, and city business leaders who see a democratic socialist like Assembly member Zohran Mamdani becoming mayor as dangerous for the city. Mamdani accuses Cuomo of secretly colluding with Trump to clear the field for his election.

Meanwhile, another independent candidate, Jim Walden, has already suspended his campaign. Adams is polling in last place behind Sliwa in most recent surveys, which could further motivate him to explore other opportunities.

Former Governor David Paterson, a close Adams ally and his highest-profile supporter so far, said Adams has been getting job offers but did not specify where they were coming from or whether he is considering taking any. A source familiar with Adams' thinking has stated that he is looking for a "soft landing" - a cushy gig with a level of prestige befitting an ex-New York City mayor.

Trump has indicated that he wants the mayoral general election to be a two-person race to prevent a democratic socialist from becoming mayor. In a statement, he falsely labeled Mamdani a communist. The development in Adams' political career is sure to keep New York City's political landscape dynamic in the coming weeks.