President Trump’s administration is considering New York City Mayor Eric Adams for a Saudi Arabia ambassadorship as his mayoral reelection bid falters.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s administration is considering New York City Mayor Eric Adams for the role of U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, according to two people familiar with the talks.
The discussions come as Adams, polling in the single digits, faces mounting calls to abandon his re-election campaign to consolidate opposition against front-runner Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist. The New York Times first reported the ambassadorship on Friday.
Adams’ spokesperson Todd Shapiro and City Hall representative Kayla Mamelak Altus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump, however, made clear his preference for narrowing the mayoral field, saying Thursday he did not want “a communist” elected.
Adams has also explored a possible role at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, sources said, after meeting this week in Florida with Trump’s team, including envoy Steve Witkoff.
Despite speculation, Adams publicly denied speaking to Trump about jobs. “My life has been pressure. That’s what my life is. Pressure. No pressure, no diamonds,” he said.
Top Democrats, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are under pressure to back Mamdani, while Adams highlighted his past visits to Saudi Arabia in a campaign event Thursday.