Andrew Cuomo aide and Eric Adams trade social media blows as NYC mayoral campaign heats up

New York City’s general election for mayor is still more than four months away — but the mudslinging has already started.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat running on an independent line in the November contest, sparred with a longtime Andrew Cuomo aide on social media — after she called out Hizzoner’s penchant for clubbing.

“12:01am tweeting – which private club was this sent from? Or were you busy smoking cigars with more antisemites at the time of the tweet?” Cuomo lieutenant Melissa DeRosa zinged at Adams Thursday.

DeRosa — a fierce backer of Cuomo’s comeback bid for mayor who worked as his right-hand in the governor’s office — had amplified a New York Times story reporting that Adams’ Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry was working with ICE on immigration raids.

“Thank god this city has Jessica Tisch @NYPDPC at the helm, or one can only imagine what @ericadamsfornyc and his admin would be doing to bend to Trump’s will,” she wrote.

The mayor shot back with his own choice words shortly after midnight.

“Agreed. Jessica Tisch — second woman NYPD commissioner — is leading the department because I appointed her. And she’s delivering results. Andrew Cuomo? He’s running for office because he got run out of office?” he posted. 

DeRosa then slammed Adams’ love of nightlife, while also bringing up his recent controversial interview with antisemitic podcaster Sneako over cigars at Gracie Mansion.

Adams hit back, posting: “I was en route to the Crane Club,” a luxury Chelsea steakhouse that also boasts a members-only club within the restaurant.

“Crime is down, nightlife is back, and the $30 billion industry is helping to rebuild the economy @andrewcuomo tanked with his failed policies like bail reform,” the mayor posted from his campaign account.

“Eric Adams: Delivers. Never quits.”

To political observers, the social media spat was sign that November’s election is heating up and likely only to get nastier along the way. 

Political consultant Chris Sosa said that DeRosa’s posts were indicative of Cuomo’s political style but that there was little the campaign could gain from it. 

“This is the Andrew Cuomo way – insult, antagonize and bully, even when there’s nothing to be gained. It’s not new to anyone who’s had to deal with Andrew in Albany,” he said.

---

Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post’s signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!

---

“But favorably citing the NYPD commissioner to score a point against the mayor who appointed her is head scratcher.” 

Bill Cunningham, a former Communications Director for Mayor Bloomberg and staffer, agreed that Cuomo’s camp came off looking worse in the tiff, and predicted that the general election “could be very vicious.”

“This episode shows Adams as pretty handy in the clinches. Cuomo people should take heed that when they spot an opening they don’t fall into it,” he said.

“No one voting now or on Tuesday gave a rat’s hindquarters about where and when Adams was tweeting. All Melissa did was give him a free shot,” Cunningham added, referring to the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, in which Cuomo is the frontrunner to get the party’s nomination.

Cuomo rep Rich Azzopardi fired back even harder in response to an inquiry from The Post.

“He’s a desperate man who sold out the city to President Trump for his own personal benefit. We wish the MAGA mayor well with whatever administration appointment he gets come January,” Azzopardi snipped about Adams.  

Adams campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro said that mayor was more focused on delivering results for New Yorkers than “social media theatrics.”

“Mayor Adams is focused on good government, not political mudslinging,” he said in a statement.

“We’re not going to be distracted by the noise. This campaign is about leadership, not likes”

The mayor has previously defended his late nights at members-only clubs like Zero Bond, saying, “I hang out with the boys at night and I get up with the men in the morning.”