The Trump administration is accused of attempting to influence New York City’s mayoral race by offering Mayor Eric Adams a position in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if he withdraws from the contest, according to reports. The move allegedly aims to weaken Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani’s prospects.

POLITICO cited an individual with “direct knowledge” of discussions, stating that Trump’s team approached Adams during his visit to Florida. The outlet also noted that Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has been considered for a role in the administration, though he previously declined such offers.

The race has drawn attention from Republicans, centrist Democrats, and business leaders worried about Mamdani, a democratic socialist, leading the city. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, was seen as a potential counterweight to Mamdani but lost decisively in the June Democratic primary. Despite trailing Mamdani in polls, Cuomo remains a candidate in the general election.

Adams, who became mayor as a Democrat but is now running as an independent, has not confirmed or denied meeting with Trump advisers during his Florida trip. He also avoided directly stating whether he plans to exit the race. Meanwhile, billionaire John Catsimatidis claimed Trump expressed concern over the contest’s outcome, suggesting potential shifts in strategy.

Intermediaries for the Trump administration have reportedly engaged Adams’ associates about leaving the race, though no specific job offers for Adams were confirmed. The mayor has insisted on continuing his campaign despite low poll numbers. Sliwa, a former Guardian Angels founder, has shown little interest in federal roles, though his connections to Trump allies remain unclear.