Adams investigation: New York mayor dismisses questions about relationship with Donald Trump as ‘waste of time’

LOWER MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — With the presidential election just two weeks away, Mayor Eric Adams faced questions about his relationship with both candidates, days after Donald Trump compared his legal troubles to the mayor’s.

Mayor Adams didn’t miss a single Q&One session. He continued to hold his casual, open forum with reporters even as he battled COVID and even after his indictment on federal bribery charges.

On Tuesday, Eyewitness News asked about Donald Trump and the upcoming rally at Madison Square Garden.

Mayor Adams says he wants to “meditate” that evening.

But at the Al Smith dinner last week, the former president offered his defense of the mayor.

“I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the Justice Department for speaking out against open borders. We were followed, Eric,” Trump said.

Since then, Adams has tried to downplay Trump’s comments — to a degree.

“This is the time when the silliness comes into politics,” Adams said.

The mayor dismisses it as a minor matter.

“New Yorkers need to listen to the issues. And I’m just not going to address the comments from either side,” he said.

Adams noted that he has already declared his support for Kamala Harris and attended the Democratic National Convention.

“Whatever the election campaign requires of me, I am ready to do. But I don’t – I’m not campaigning here at the moment. “I’m all about leading this amazing city,” he said.

By the fourth question about Trump, the mayor had had enough.

“If any of you have another Trump question, you should save this because I’m not wasting my time on this anymore,” Adams said.

What matters, he stressed, is the city’s dramatic drop in crime and its efforts to create affordable housing.

“We’re going to continue to move the city forward,” Adams said.

Experienced political consultant Hank Sheinkopf believes the mayor’s strategy is smart.

“The mayor is covering his risks, not only to himself but to the city of New York,” he said. “Who knows what the future might hold for us from a financial perspective?”

In other words, Sheinkopf says, it’s good to have a friend in the White House, no matter who wins.

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