Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams said Monday that he still isn’t sure he’ll attend Zohran Mamdani’s swearing-in – as he claimed his successor’s supporters were making him hesitate because they “protest everything.”
Adams told reporters at an unrelated event at City Hall that he didn’t want to distract from Mamdani’s big day on Jan. 1, pointing the finger at the democratic socialist’s base.
“Unfortunately, there’s a body of his supporters who would rather protest everything,” Adams said, noting that he’d be happy to attend if Mamdani wanted him there.
“If the incoming (mayor) is cool — I’m cool,” Adams said of the Mamdani’s planned block party outside of City Hall on New Year’s Day.
Some Mamdani’s supporters who are harshly critical of Israel have taken issue with Adams’ pro-Israel rhetoric as he has made combating antisemitism a key issue in his final years as mayor.
Adams was at the helm of the city during the infamous Columbia University encampments, which further exacerbated tensions between far-left New Yorkers and the moderate mayor.
Adams — who has spent many of his final days in office traveling to Mexico and the country of Georgia — has given vague explanations as to what he will do after he leaves Gracie Mansion.
He has previously said he wants to get his PhD and write a memoir.
“There’s a combination of (going) back to school, doing my book, using technology like cryptocurrency to improve the lives of our children, and going after hate in a real way,” he said, specifically highlighting the fight against antisemitism.
“I will have more to say in the years to come,” he added.
