Indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams was spotted meeting with President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday at UFC 309, which his office confirmed is part of his “commitment” to working with the incoming administration.
Trump was visiting Madison Square Garden, the same arena he held his New York City rally at last month, to attend Saturday’s Ultimate Fighting Championship match, where he was joined by multiple members of his incoming administration, including Elon Musk, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and others. During his visit, captured on Instagram by podcast host Sage Steele, Trump and UFC President Dana White could be spotted talking to the New York City mayor.
One of the best moments from @ufc 309 last night?!
Witnessing these legends stand together & chant
“USA, USA!” with 22K strong! @realDonaldTrump @elonmusk @TulsiGabbard @RobertKennedyJr @SpeakerJohnson @KidRock @DonaldJTrumpJr @EricTrump … AND democrat… pic.twitter.com/4HFItNGjVZ— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) November 17, 2024
“While Mayor Adams attended this event in a private capacity, he has repeatedly made clear his commitment to collaborating with the incoming administration to improve the lives of New Yorkers,” Adams’s press secretary, Kayla Mamelak Altus, told the Washington Examiner in a statement. “Making sensational statements disavowing the president-elect may generate attention for a political campaign, but it is poor policy and serves no benefit to the people of this city.”
Several users on social media shared the footage of Adams meeting with the president-elect, with some calling it a “great moment.”
Great moment with President-elect @realDonaldTrump and @NYCMayor Eric Adams chatting at the UFC match last night.
Let’s Make America and NYC Great Again.https://t.co/pBy2IS0xU1
— Mona Davids – Unbought and Unbossed (@MonaDavids) November 17, 2024
In an Instagram reel shared by @sagesteele the 1st Indicted NYC Mayor, @NYCMayor Eric “Please Pardon Me” Adams can be seen reinventing himself ringside at UFC 309 with President Elect Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/2WPxSGdmhI
— John D. Macari Jr.
(@JohnDMacari) November 17, 2024
Following Trump’s victory, Adams praised Trump’s nomination of Musk as co-head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, contending the United States is dealing with “an antiquated government filled with bureaucracy unwilling to make any changes.” The mayor has also pushed back against “silly questions” toward him on whether or not Trump is a fascist, arguing the country still needs to be “the United States and not the divided states.”
In September, Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, making him the first mayor in New York history to be indicted while in office. He has maintained his innocence despite the indictment, stating on Friday during an appearance on The View talk show that he “did nothing wrong.”
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Trump weighed in on Adams’s indictment during an interview last month, stating the mayor was indicted after Adams “came out” against the city’s illegal immigration, a topic the president-elect put at the forefront while campaigning for president. During Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden, Trump thanked Adams for not calling him a dictator and said the mayor has been “treated pretty badly.”
The best part of UFC309 was Jon Jones honoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in front of millions.
Day by day since Nov 5th, it feels like this country is finally moving in the right direction.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 18, 2024
The president-elect’s visit to Saturday’s UFC match also saw mixed martial artist Jon “Bones” Jones perform a dance move mirroring the iconic dance Trump has been known to perform at his rallies. Jones also took a moment to “acknowledge Jesus Christ” during an interview, a moment praised by women sports activist Riley Gaines on X.