New York Mayor Eric Adams not feeling well, will limit public schedule, office says

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is curtailing his public appearances this week as he undergoes "numerous doctors’ appointments and medical tests" to address a sudden illness, according to his office.

Adams plans to continue to run the city while he deals with the medical problem, Adams’ deputy for communications, Fabien Levy, said in a statement issued late Sunday night.

"Over the last few days, Mayor Adams hasn’t been feeling his best. As a result, this week, the mayor will have a number of doctors’ appointments and undergo routine medical tests," Levy said.

Levy didn’t disclose Adams’ symptoms or any potential diagnosis.

"Like every other New Yorker, Mayor Adams has a right to privacy when it comes to personal matters, but we will continue to communicate in the unlikely event he is unable to fully discharge his duties on any particular day," Levy said.

Among the appearances Adams will skip this week include his regular news conference Tuesday and a scheduled hearing Wednesday in his criminal trial.

If Adams temporarily cannot discharge his duties, his first deputy, Maria Torres-Springer, would be tasked with them.

Whether it was Bill de Blasio having a coronavirus scare in 2020 or a cold in 2015, Rudy Giuliani disclosing his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2000, David Dinkins shaking with chills and a 103-degree fever in 1992, or Ed Koch having a mild stroke in 1987, New York City mayors have been typically forthcoming about their medical problems. Adams himself has in the past maintained his public schedule while under the weather, keeping tissues at hand.

The mayor has also gone into detail publicly about his previous medical ailments, particularly his diabetes, recounting how he woke up blind one day, went to a doctor, was diagnosed and changed his lifestyle and is better now. Also in the past, when Adams has been too ill to appear in person, he has done a news conference via Zoom.

Adams, a Democrat who was indicted in September on public corruption charges that he traded municipal favors in exchange for campaign cash and luxury travel, is running for reelection and has seen his fundraising and popularity plummet. He is set to go on trial in the spring.

Over the past few months, Adams has been praising President Donald Trump, who has said he would consider pardoning Adams if he is convicted on charges both men allege have been brought to punish the mayor for criticizing former President Joe Biden's handling of the migrant crisis.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.