New York City Mayor Eric Adams was confronted with The Post’s Friday front page during a morning television appearance and insisted “we know we have real crime to deal with” — marking a stark U-turn from his prior comments blaming media “perception.”
Speaking with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin shortly after 8 a.m., Adams was grilled on his stance on rising crime concerns in the Big Apple.
You are reading: Duck and cover: Mayor Eric Adams confronted by Post unicorn front page
“One of the issues that they continue to talk about, as you know so very well, is that issue of crime in New York,” Sorkin said.
Sorkin showed Adams The Post’s cover, which features the mayor riding a unicorn alongside the headline “Fantasy Land,” with critics hitting him for comments he made during an interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace that attributed the “perception of fear” in the city to newspapers putting crime “on the front page.”
Readmore : Manchin introduces permitting bill, taking second shot at energy package
Adams was quick to counter the portrayal with a reference to his career in the NYPD, from which he retired as a captain.
“[What] I learned from my days of policing … is that you have to deal with actual crime … but you also have to make sure people are feeling safe,” he said.
“We know we have real crime to deal with.”
While Hizzoner patted himself on the back for “double-digit” decreases in homicide and shootings, “Squawk Box” displayed grim statistics indicating a 41% increase in subway crimes.
“We’re going after these violent individuals, and we know also must make New Yorkers feel safe while we deal with the actual numbers,” Adams insisted.
Readmore : Gwyneth Paltrow responds to backlash over ‘wellness’ routine: ‘I eat full meals and french fries’
Sorkin countered Adams’ response with his own experiences, citing times he felt “like this is not a good situation” while taking the subway.
Adams was still reluctant to own the reality behind these concerns, saying that commuters feel “anxious” because they just “read about someone being shoved on the subway track,” and not actual threats.
“We’re having a major summit this weekend with everyone around the criminal justice and mental health issues, where even those who criticize our policies will be there,” he announced.
“We must approach this in a unified way.”
Adams’ CNBC comments came during a busy morning for the mayor, who earlier appeared on WNYW. His full CNN interview — which was also taken to task in the latest from The Post’s Editorial Board — will also air today.
