New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently met with President-elect Donald Trump near Mar-a-Lago. While there was much speculation about whether the mayor would seek a pardon for his ongoing legal troubles, Adams stated that his criminal case didn’t come up during the meeting.
Instead, the conversation focused on various issues related to New York City, including federal support for the city’s infrastructure and economic needs.
The one-hour meeting took place at the Trump International Golf Course in Palm Beach, Florida, and included Trump’s son, Eric Trump, as well as Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Also present was Adams’ former Chief of Staff, Frank Carone. Despite intense speculation surrounding the meeting—especially regarding Adams’ federal bribery and corruption indictment—the mayor emphasized that the legal case was not discussed.
In a statement, Adams explained, “President Trump and I had a productive conversation about New York’s needs and what’s best for our city, and how the federal government can play a more helpful role in improving the lives of New Yorkers.”
He further clarified that while a variety of topics were briefly touched on, they spent most of their time discussing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, bringing manufacturing jobs back to New York, particularly in the Bronx, and the continuation of federal investments in New York City’s infrastructure.
Surprise Stallone Cameo at the Lunch
One unexpected highlight of the meeting was the appearance of Sylvester Stallone, who dined near the two political figures. Stallone, known for his iconic role in the “Rocky” film series, is one of Trump’s recently designated ambassadors to Hollywood.
Adams shared his appreciation for Stallone’s work during a video posted on social media, where he mentioned, “I saw him, and I told him how much I loved his ‘Rocky’ series.”
Despite the interest in the mayor’s legal situation, the lunch reportedly did not include any direct discussion about his federal case. Adams, who is facing a historic federal bribery indictment related to his 2021 mayoral campaign, is currently pleading not guilty and denies any wrongdoing.
The charges against him allege that he received illegal foreign donations, and a conviction would prevent him from holding public office in New York City under local law.
A Potential Presidential Pardon on the Horizon?
The timing of this meeting has only fueled ongoing rumors that Adams might be seeking a pardon from Trump. The mayor, who is facing re-election this year, has been under significant political and legal pressure due to the charges against him.
Trump, on the other hand, has expressed his belief that Adams has been unfairly targeted, suggesting that his indictment could be politically motivated due to Adams’ outspoken stance on issues like immigration.
Earlier this year, Trump commented that he thought Adams’ indictment was “political retribution” after Adams criticized the handling of the migrant crisis. The two politicians have also shared cordial public moments, with Adams speaking positively about Trump on several occasions, particularly about sanctuary city policies and border enforcement.
In fact, after the indictment was announced in September, Trump hinted that he might consider pardoning Adams. “I think that he was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump told reporters, further fanning the flames of speculation about a possible pardon. However, Adams has not confirmed that this was part of their private conversation in Florida.
A Long-Running Political Relationship
Adams’ relationship with Trump has been developing for months. After his indictment, Adams welcomed Trump’s support, quietly assembling a legal defense team with connections to the former president.
The two have exchanged public praise for each other’s political stances, particularly on issues such as immigration and crime. Some of Adams’ allies, however, have expressed concern that his association with Trump could alienate voters, particularly in the Black community.
Rev. Al Sharpton, a key figure in New York’s political landscape, criticized Adams’ approach, stating, “The flirting with Trump is not helpful for him in the black community.” Despite this, Adams maintains that his meeting with Trump was strictly about New York City’s future and that political differences should not prevent leaders from discussing important city matters.
The Road Ahead for Mayor Adams
As Adams gears up for re-election, the shadow of his legal troubles looms large. A conviction in the bribery case could derail his political future, and it remains uncertain how this will impact his standing with voters.
Some political experts, such as Democratic operative Ken Frydman, believe that Adams should accept a potential pardon if offered, as it would give him a chance to focus on his campaign without the burden of legal battles.
The mayor’s office did not clarify whether any formal discussions regarding a pardon took place during the meeting. However, Adams has been consistent in his public statements, reiterating that the purpose of the lunch was to focus on the city’s needs, not his legal situation.
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