Eric Adams was in for a bumpy ride at The View this morning. The embattled politician — who was indicted on corruption and bribery charges earlier this year but has pleaded not guilty and intends to run for reelection — chatted with the Hot Topics table about the implications of Donald Trump‘s second presidency for blue states like New York.
However, the mayor turned defensive when questioned about his relationship with Trump. Sara Haines told Adams, “You’ve defended him. Can you explain?” and was met with a defiant reply.
“No, I’ve defended the rhetoric that we’re using across our country and what our children are listening to and what we’re doing,” Adams said. “We’ve reached a point in this country where we no longer want to engage in conversation.”
Editor’s Note: The View is currently on hiatus. This story was originally published on Nov. 15, 2024, when this episode first aired. The View will be back with new episodes on Monday, Dec. 2.
He continued, “They were even calling him Hitler,” but Adams was interrupted by Ana Navarro, who corrected him, “That was only his vice president.” She was, of course, referring to J.D. Vance‘s infamous remark about Trump being “America’s Hitler.”
While her one-liner earned Navarro a guffaw from Joy Behar, Adams didn’t crack a smile. He carried on, “That was an insult to the millions of Jews and others who died. We know what Hitler did.”
While Adams said, “We have to bring down this rhetoric. We have to start engaging in conversation,” Behar called him out, asking, “Do you think Trump should have brought down the rhetoric?”
The mayor shot back, “Everybody should!” but Behar replied, “Well, let’s start at the top, then, because maybe it trickles down.”
As the audience applauded Behar, Adams repeated, “Everybody should, everybody should.”
Adams’ interview ended with a carefully worded question from Sunny Hostin, who tactfully asked the mayor if he’s cozying up to Trump in hopes of fixing his own legal woes.
“Critics are suggesting you have recently embraced Trump, perhaps because you want either the charges dropped or perhaps a pardon,” she said, before asking for the mayor’s response to such accusations.
“Nothing is more challenging than not being able to defend yourself in public,” he began. Behar bluntly chimed in, “You have the floor,” but Hostin reminded her Adams can’t legally discuss much about the case, but could still speak to his “recent embracing of Trump.”
Adams maintained his innocence, saying, “I live my life the way everyday New Yorkers are supposed to live their life,” before stating his continuing goals as mayor and telling the table, “The challenges that we face in life, can you continue to do the job that you were elected to do? The numbers are clear: I’m doing that every day.”
The View airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.
Read the full article here
