U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a Purple Heart Day event to honor members of the military wounded or killed in action, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Erns
In a sharp move to give former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) a push to defeat Democrat and front-runner Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayor's race this November, advisors to President Donald Trump say he's considered giving Mayor Eric Adams an administration position.
Adams was offered a position at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an anonymous person with direct knowledge told Politico. Adams denied the reports, saying he is not dropping out of the race.
Polls show Adams trails in fourth place, and the possible move could aim to potentially damage Mamdani's chances in the general election and give Cuomo a path to victory, The New York Times reports. Insiders also shared that the administration is looking for a role for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
The Times called it a "potentially audacious intervention."
Billionaire grocery and oil magnate John Catsimatidis told the Times that after speaking with Trump on Sunday about the election, he thought the race may change within days.
“He’s very concerned,” Catsimatidis said of Trump. “How do they say it, this is for all the tea in China. This is serious.”
Mamdani wrote on X that the Times report confirmed his opponents were backed by Trump.
"Today’s news confirms it: Cuomo is Trump’s choice for Mayor," he wrote. "The White House is considering jobs for Adams and Sliwa to clear the field. New Yorkers are sick of corrupt politics and backroom deals. No matter who’s running, we will deliver a better future on November 4."
It's unclear if the discussions have led to any decisions from Adams, who is a Democrat running as an independent. Sources indicated to The Times that nothing has been confirmed, and an anonymous source said talks were heading in "several different directions."
“Mayor Adams is a lifelong New Yorker who has dedicated his entire career to this city, and he intends to continue that work for another four years as mayor,” the spokeswoman, Kayla Mamelak Altus, said in a statement.
Cuomo has known Trump for more than 40 years. The former New York governor, who resigned in 2021 after multiple reports of sexual harassment, conceded to Mamdani after he was defeated by the 33-year-old self-professed socialist in the primary elections.
Sliwa has not confirmed if any Trump advisors have contacted him, stating he is "committed to carrying this fight through to Election Day."