New York City Mayor Eric Adams found himself in a heated moment during a live TV interview on Wednesday when questioned about his use of the term “Negros” at a recent Black History Month event.
While hosting a Black History Month gathering at Gracie Mansion, Adams had said, “All these Negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them.”
On Good Day New York with Fox 5, co-anchor Curt Menefee asked Adams to clarify his comments, saying, “Are you implying that if you’re Black, you have to support you?”
Adams responded, “No, not at all. I’m asking for all New Yorkers to support me.” But Menefee pressed on, asking, “Who are you specifically talking to when you say Negros?”
Adams explained, “If you look at that whole speech, the speech was about continuing to light your flame and shine, and that’s what we’ve done in this administration, with our team.” He added, “So those who have called for me to allow my flame to be prematurely extinguished, that’s who I’m talking about.”
Menefee wasn’t satisfied with the answer, asking again, “Are you saying all New Yorkers are Negroes?”
Adams defended his words, saying, “I thought I was very clear in my definition of what I said… 8.3 million New Yorkers didn’t call for me to step down. I get just the opposite when I’m out in the streets.”
Menefee responded, “So anybody who’s Black who calls for you to step down, they need help from God? I’m focusing on this because your use of the word Negro has come up repeatedly over the last couple of weeks, and I think some people actually have an issue with that term. So explain who you’re talking to when you use that term specifically.”
Instead of directly addressing the term, Adams shifted to defending his leadership, saying, “Our democracy is based on who the people of the city elect. Why are we trying to disrupt and take the power away from the people who elected me?” He continued, “What have I done that would justify taking away the power of the people? I have not been convicted of a crime. I’ve moved the city forward. I’ve done the job that New York is asking me to do.”
Adams also argued, “When you have those who are trying to undermine the power of the people’s vote, that’s not democracy, and God forgive them.”
It’s worth noting that Adams is facing criminal indictments in New York related to campaign bribery and fraud. However, the Trump administration has pushed for the charges to be dropped, a request that came after Adams met with President Donald Trump and discussed working together on immigration issues. This has sparked accusations of a quid pro quo, especially after several prosecutors resigned over the request to dismiss the charges. Adams, however, remains adamant in his innocence and is committed to staying in the primary race for reelection.
