Mayor Adams says it’s ‘silly’ to ask whether Trump is a fascist

At a combative City Hall press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams defended an NYPD chief’s recent appearance on the right-wing network Newsmax and dodged questions from reporters on his stance on former President Donald Trump.

Adams accused reporters of searching for headlines and said everyday New Yorkers did not care about whether Trump should be considered a fascist.

“When I’m at these town halls talking to people there, they’re not asking me these silly questions,” the mayor said. “We are in this bubble, you know.”

Adams’ remarks, which came a week before Election Day, highlighted his growing political alienation as he fights federal corruption charges he has said were motivated by his criticisms of the Biden administration. Trump has expressed support for Adams’ theory, although neither has provided any evidence to back the claim.

Adams, a moderate Democrat, has refrained from expressing his views on the presidential candidates — and the stakes for the city and country — even as the outcome of the tight race could reshape key parts of the federal government. If Trump were to win the race, he would have the power to pardon Adams, should the mayor be convicted on federal corruption charges. Adams has pleaded not guilty.

The mayor used a scolding tone when reporters asked him whether an interview given on Newsmax by the NYPD’s chief of patrol, John Chell, at Trump’s campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday was appropriate.

“So the group decided that Newsmax should not be on the list of reputable outlets,” Adams told reporters on Tuesday. “This is so silly.”

Newsmax, a conservative channel, has been accused of pushing misinformation about the 2020 election and other inaccurate reporting. The network’s viewers have been characterized as the most devout Trump supporters — more so than Fox News watchers.

Chell, who was in charge of security for Trump’s rally at the Garden, has been interviewed on the network several times. On Sunday, he went on the show and praised both the event and Adams.

“Our mayor lets me play offense, lets our cops play offense,” Chell told the anchors. The same day, he also did interviews with multiple mainstream outlets, as Adams was quick to point out.

But on Newsmax, Chell was effusive about the Trump rally. “Great atmosphere. Everyone is peaceful,” he said. “This is a very energetic day.”

The rally was later widely condemned for a parade of speakers who hurled misogynistic and racist insults. One comedian called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”

Adams joined other elected officials in denouncing the rhetoric at the rally, although he did not mention Trump. But his statement was eclipsed by his remarks prior to the rally, when he broke from Vice President Kamala Harris by saying he did not believe Trump should be called a fascist and rejected the comparison of Trump to Adolf Hitler. The label has gained traction after former high-ranking Trump staffers used it to describe the former president.

Adams’ recent statements have prompted criticism from his fellow Democrats. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who has been supportive of the mayor at times, called Adams “a Trump apologist” and “defender.” In the same post on social media, Williams said he was unsure whom Adams would vote for.

Adams, who once proclaimed himself the face of the new Democratic Party, was asked exactly that question on Tuesday. The mayor did not give a direct answer. In recent weeks, he has refrained from saying Harris’ name.

“I made it clear on who I endorse for president,” Adams replied.