Fall from Grace: Eric Adams, New York City's mayor, faces federal indictment for campaign finance violations, marking a historic moment and raising concerns about his integrity and leadership in a city of 8 million.
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, has been indicted on serious charges of campaign finance violations, bribery, and conspiracy. This marks the first time in the city's history that a sitting mayor has faced federal indictment. Adams, who rose from a challenging background to become a prominent political figure, had previously positioned himself as a strong leader on crime and was seen as a future voice for the Democratic Party. However, allegations of unethical behavior have clouded his tenure. Despite his charisma and early success as Brooklyn's Borough president, the indictment raises questions about his integrity and the impact on his leadership. As New Yorkers face the fallout from these charges, the story of Adams serves as a cautionary tale about accountability in public service, especially in a city with immense economic and social complexity.
Mayor's Dilemma: Eric Adams created excitement as New York's mayor with his energetic public persona, but concerns grew about his ability to manage critical issues like crime and homelessness effectively, as he focused heavily on maintaining a celebrity status instead of delivering real solutions.
Eric Adams, the newly elected mayor of New York City, initially captivated the public with his high energy and celebrity-like presence. He encouraged city residents to return to normal life after the pandemic, promoting nightlife and a vibrant atmosphere. However, as time passed, questions arose about his effectiveness in addressing key issues like crime and homelessness. While he made appearances at social events, many wondered if he was focusing enough on managing the city's pressing problems. His campaign promised results, but citizens started to lose faith in his ability to deliver, questioning whether his actions matched his promises as he seemed more preoccupied with being a public figure than a pragmatic leader.
Integrity Concerns: Mayor Eric Adams faced scrutiny over honesty and legal issues after fabricating stories and becoming the subject of an FBI investigation related to illegal campaign contributions, raising concerns about his integrity and leadership.
A local politician, Mayor Eric Adams, faced serious questions about his honesty and legality after incidents during his campaign and time in office. Initial doubts about his living situation turned into a broader scrutiny when it was revealed his team fabricated evidence about a personal story. This escalated further when the FBI investigated him for allegedly receiving illegal campaign contributions and gifts from foreign nationals. These allegations suggest that not only was he dishonest about small matters, but he may also have broken the law for personal gain, leading to concerns about his leadership and integrity. As investigations unfold, many are left wondering about the impact on his role as mayor and the trust of the public.
Corruption Allegations: Mayor Adams faces serious accusations of corruption involving luxurious travel perks. Allegations include a failed cover-up regarding these perks, raising ethical concerns despite his previous message of ambition for youth.
Mayor Adams is facing a serious indictment involving over $100,000 in alleged corruption, which includes accepting luxurious travel perks while trying to cover it up. His staff and airline officials exchanged messages to disguise the real value of gifts, and in a suspicious incident, he forgot the password to his phone right when federal agents wanted to investigate. Despite trying to present himself as someone who helps others, this scandal paints a picture of petty misconduct connected to his personal desire for luxury. Adams, who once inspired students to dream big and explore the world, now finds himself in a difficult position as questions rise about the integrity of his actions while in office.
Political Turmoil: Mayor Eric Adams is under indictment but insists on continuing his role as New York City’s mayor amid pressure to resign, highlighting significant political challenges and public distrust. He faces an arraignment where he plans to plead not guilty, marking an unprecedented moment in the city’s history.
Mayor Eric Adams is facing serious allegations that could impact his role as leader of New York City. Despite these challenges and calls for his resignation, he insists on staying in office and continuing his duties. Additionally, residents feel disappointed by the situation, especially given the expectations they had when he took office to help the city recover. Meanwhile, a powerful hurricane is hitting Florida, further adding to the day’s significant news. Adams is scheduled for an arraignment where he plans to plead not guilty to the charges against him. The situation is unprecedented, as no one has been charged with a crime while serving as mayor before. How this unfolds, especially with his potential trial next spring, could set a new precedent in New York City politics.
The Criminal Indictment of New York City’s Mayor
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25 Days to Go
In the campaign for president, this was the week when back-to-back natural disasters became an inescapable part of the race, when Vice-President Kamala Harris chose to meet the press and when Donald J. Trump faced new accusations of cozying up to Russia’s president.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Astead W. Herndon, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn try to make sense of it all.
Guest:
- Astead W. Herndon, a national politics reporter and the host of the politics podcast “The Run-Up.”
- Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- A national Times/Siena poll found Ms. Harris with a slim lead over Mr. Trump.
- Republicans have spent tens of millions of dollars on anti-trans ads, part of an attempt to win over suburban female voters.
- The journalist Bob Woodward cited an unnamed aide as saying that Mr. Trump had spoken to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia as many as seven times since leaving office.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Parents Aren’t All Right
For years, research on hyper-attentive parenting has focused on all the ways that it can hurt children.
Now, the U.S. government is reframing that conversation and asking if our new era of parenting is actually bad for the parents themselves.
Claire Cain Miller, who covers families and education for The New York Times, explains why raising children is a risk to your health.
Guest: Claire Cain Miller, a reporter who writes for The Upshot at The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The surgeon general warned about parents’ stress, a sign that intensive parenting may have become too intense for parents.
- Read the surgeon general’s essay about parent stress.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
How NAFTA Broke American Politics
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are constantly talking about trade, tariffs and domestic manufacturing.
In many ways, these talking points stem from a single trade deal that transformed the U.S. economy and remade both parties’ relationship with the working class.
Dan Kaufman, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains how the North American Free Trade Agreement broke American politics.
Guest: Dan Kaufman, the author of “The Fall of Wisconsin,” and a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How NAFTA broke American politics.
- Both Democrats and Republicans are expressing support for tariffs to protect American industry, reversing decades of trade thinking in Washington.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Year Since Oct. 7
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and trauma.
One year ago, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The conflict that followed has become bigger and deadlier by the day, killing tens of thousands of people and expanding from Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon and now Iran.
Today, we return to two men in Israel and Gaza, to hear how their lives have changed.
Guests: Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, in southern Israel; and Hussein Owda, who was among more than a million people sheltering in Rafah.
Background reading:
- How Oct. 7 sparked a year of conflict.
- Listen to the first interview with Golan.
- Listen to the first interview with Hussein.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Sunday Read: ‘The Blind Side’ Made Him Famous. But He Has a Different Story to Tell.
It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.
In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
'The Interview': Al Pacino Is Still Going Big
Four Weeks to Go
With Election Day fast approaching, polls show the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump to be the closest in a generation.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn break down the state of the race and discuss the last-minute strategies that might tip the scales.
Guest:
- Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The state of the race: a calm week and perhaps the clearest picture yet.
- Scenes of workers on strike, hurricane devastation in the Southeast and missiles over Israel pose tests for Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Iran Retaliates
Israel’s series of military successes against its longtime adversary Hezbollah had raised the question of whether the militant group’s backer, Iran, would retaliate. On Tuesday, that question was answered, when Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The Times, and Farnaz Fassihi, The Times’s United Nations bureau chief, discuss how they see events developing from here.
Guest:
- Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
- Farnaz Fassihi, the United Nations bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Fiery balls of light could be seen falling from the sky over Jerusalem and loud explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv and other areas as Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
- After the missile attack, Israel may be more prepared to risk war with Iran.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Walz-Vance Debate: Civility and Then a Clash
Just three weeks after Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump engaged in a fiery and often hostile presidential debate, their running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, met for their own face-off — and struck a very different chord.
Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The Times, explains why this debate was so different and what it could mean for the race.
Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read coverage of the debate.
- Analysis: Mr. Vance strained to sell a softer image of Mr. Trump.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Hurricane Helene’s 600 Miles of Destruction
Warning: This episode contains strong language and descriptions of death.
Over the past few days, Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, killing more than 100 people, driving thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power.
Judson Jones, a meteorologist and weather reporter for The Times, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a Times national reporter, discuss the toll left by the deadly storm.
Guest:
- Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times.
- Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a national reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Hurricane Helene spawned flash floods and landslides as it barreled north after devastating parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- In less than a day, Helene transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4. Read about how that happened so quickly.
For more information on today’s episode, visit
. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.