Talks Between Adams and Trump Adviser Center on Saudi Ambassadorship [View all]

Source: New York Times

Sept. 5, 2025 Updated 12:28 p.m. ET


Close advisers have been crafting a plan for President Trump to nominate Mayor Eric Adams to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in an effort to end the mayor’s long-shot campaign for re-election in New York City, according to four people familiar with the discussions.

The conversations could still fall apart for a variety of reasons, the people cautioned. But Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate investor and adviser to Mr. Trump, has actively pursued the matter in recent days, meeting personally with Mr. Adams earlier this week in Florida and speaking with other people close to him. It remains unclear if the White House or Mr. Witkoff, whose first role in the administration was as envoy to the Middle East, has formally committed to Mr. Trump nominating Mr. Adams, or offered the mayor any other job.

Mr. Adams, a Democrat, has told allies he is considering a range of options at a time when polls show his path to re-election has all but closed. His final decision could hinge on the details, though, including whether the White House would allow him to serve out the remainder of his term, or insist he resign early as a condition of the job.

If Mr. Adams did accept a nomination but served out his term, he would very likely remain on November’s general election ballot. If he resigned quickly, he could attempt to take his name off but doing so would plunge New York into uncertainty and temporarily elevate to the mayoralty a frequent antagonist, Jumaane D. Williams, the city’s progressive public advocate.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/nyregion/eric-adams-saudi-arabia-ambassador.html