Mayor Adams has “no desire” to remain in public life after he leaves City Hall at the end of December, he said in a media briefing for select outlets Monday, indicating that at least for now he’s done with public service.
Since he ended his reelection bid in September amid fallout from his dismissed corruption indictment, sources have said Adams has explored both public and private sector opportunities. Among other potential career paths, sources say he has eyed a U.S. ambassadorship.
But in a briefing with ethnic and community-media outlets Monday afternoon, Adams indicated continued government service is no longer on the table for him.
“I don’t have a desire to stay in public life right now,” he said at the briefing, a recording of which was obtained by the Daily News. “You know, after 40 years of being probed and scrutinized and picked at and poked at, I want some downtime. I want to rejuvenate myself so I don’t have a desire to be in public life.”
Adams, who leaves office Dec. 31, added he’s trying to decide between “four dream jobs.” He didn’t elaborate on the nature of those jobs, but suggested they’re in the private sector.
“I have some business opportunities that are being offered,” he could be heard saying in the recording.
When asked by one of the reporters in the room if he’d ever run for mayor again, Adams said: “You never say never, but there’s no desire to do so.”
According to sources close to Adams, the mayor has been exploring a private sector opportunity related to an Israeli construction firm. He traveled to Israel last month on a taxpayer-funded trip that included meetings with senior government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In September 2024, Adams became the first New York City mayor in modern history to face criminal indictment. His indictment, which accused him of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions in exchange for official favors, was later quashed by Trump’s administration as part of a controversial deal. Adams maintained throughout he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
At Monday’s press briefing, Adams also reiterated his belief that he has been treated unfairly by the media during his adminsitartion.
“It was just mean,” said Adams.
Earlier in the day, Adams made an appearance at the NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association’s annual holiday party, where he struck a similar note.
“I’m looking forward to just smoking a cigar, drinking some single malt scotch and being able to tell every media in the city to go to hell,” he told gathered detectives at Cipriani Wall St. in Manhattan, per another recording obtained by The News.
“I’m enjoying life.”
