Eric Adams discovered himself in political scorching water after showing on a late-night livestream at Gracie Mansion with Sneako, a streamer banned from main platforms for antisemitic and misogynistic content material and Amber Rose, the “S### Stroll” founder and vocal MAGA supporter.
The livestream, which aired on the right-wing platform Rumble on Saturday night time (June 14) at simply earlier than 10:30 p.m. and ran practically 90 minutes, confirmed the New York Metropolis mayor smoking cigars and chatting casually with the group.
Critics rapidly condemned the mayor’s presence alongside Sneako, who has drawn widespread condemnation for feedback like “Down with the Jews” and making different antisemitic remarks, platforming Kanye West, spewing conspiracy theories and making appearances with white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
The mayor’s son, Jordan Coleman, also referred to as rapper Jayoo, launched Sneako to his father through the casual hangout. Mayor Adams stated the encounter unfolded organically and with none vetting.
“This was not a deliberate interview. I used to be on my again porch with [his son Jordan Coleman] smoking a cigar. Different individuals got here and joined me, they usually introduced individuals with them, they usually began partaking in a dialog. And he was one of many those who engaged in that dialog. I didn’t know his historical past. I don’t assist something that’s criticizing any group within the metropolis,” Mayor Adams stated throughout a press convention Monday (June 16).
The backlash was swift. Advocacy teams and elected officers questioned why the mayor would seem alongside somebody with a documented historical past of hate speech.
Sneako has been banned from YouTube, Twitch and Kick for violating insurance policies associated to misinformation and hate content material. Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the criticism however defended his strategy to public engagement.
“Hindsight is 20-20. One of many downsides of my type of mayoralty, I have interaction with everybody…Possibly I’m simply too optimistic that I consider there’s one thing good in everybody and we should always attempt to discover that,” he stated.
Mayor Adams additionally pointed to the altering media panorama, the place anybody can report or livestream interactions with out discover.
“We’re in a universe now that everybody is a reporter, everyone seems to be a streamer. You don’t even know who comes as much as you these days. Individuals cease me on the road, they ask me a query, and I reply it,” Mayor Adams stated.
Amber Rose’s presence on the stream added one other layer of controversy, given her political alignment with MAGA figures and her historical past as a provocative media character.
The livestream ended simply earlier than midnight, however the fallout has continued into the week.
