.png)
1 year ago
16
New York Mayor Eric Adams sported a $35 Amazon wristwatch to fly to DC to ask for more money to handle the migrant crisis after an FBI raid cut his last trip short.
Adams filmed himself flying coach to the capital to meet with members of the Biden administration and discuss the migrant housing crisis in New York City.
He was supposed to go to DC in November, but had to rush back after federal agents raided the Brooklyn home of his top fundraiser Brianna Suggs as part of an investigation into an alleged kickback scheme.
Now the mayor is going with the message 'we need help' as he tries to secure more funding for his city after 3,600 migrants arrived just last week and housing runs out.
Known for his flashy accessories, the mayor sported a collar pin, a shirt monogrammed with his initials EAL, 'E' engraved cufflinks and a $35 Amazon wristwatch in the clip.
The New York City Mayor flew coach to DC to meet with the Biden administration
The mayor is thought to be sporting the Benyar By-5114m
His watch drew particular attention, with one person commenting on X: 'That's a nice looking watch, what model and brand is it? Good luck with the WH.'
It is in fact thought to be the Benyar By-5114m, which can be bought on Amazon for $35 or Ali Express for $25.
The affordable watch is a contrast for a mayor known for his lavish lifestyle - frequenting high end restaurants and bars - and his outfits: crisp shirts, suits and his signature aviators.
He once told students at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn: 'People look at your presentation before they take you seriously. Everything about you must say power.'
Last year, the New York Times reported that Adams went to one high end restaurant, Osteria La Baia, 22 times in a single month. The Times reporters claimed they didn't see him pay the bill once.
His latest trip comes as the city is gripped by a housing and migrant crisis.
As of the beginning of December, over 150,100 migrants had arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022.
Adams has called it a humanitarian crisis and declared a state of emergency warning it will cost the city about $12 billion over three years.
Asylum seekers line up in front of the East Village center for newly arrived migrants
They were forced to wait in the cold as they wait to apply for shelter in New York City
In his latest video, he said: 'This is my tenth trip to meet with government officials, congressional leaders and just really send a strong message of "we need help".
'To be clear, New Yorkers are angry. I'm angry. I know that we should not be using our tax dollars on a national problem.'
The mayor has repeatedly asked the federal government for more funds for migrants and accused President Biden of having 'failed' the city by not doing more.
The city has been forced to turn hotels, school gyms and office buildings into emergency housing - and some have even been placed into tent cities on Randall's island.
Texas has spent a staggering $86.1 million busing migrants out of its state to self-declared sanctuary cities including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington DC and Denver - at a cost of $1,650 per migrant.
When Texas governor Greg Abbott first sent buses to NYC in August 2022, Adams spokesman told the media, 'New York will continue to welcome asylum seekers with open arms.'
But a year later, Adams had completely changed his tune. 'I don't see an ending to this. This issue will destroy New York City,' he declared in September.
The Brooklyn home of Adam's top fundraiser and longtime confidante Brianna Suggs, 25, was raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into an alleged kickback scheme
He is now expected to be meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as well as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He's also expected to meet with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Adams's last trip to DC was called off at the last minute as the mayor rushed back to NYC when his top fundraising adviser's home was raided by the FBI.
The planned meeting with senior White House staff — which included the mayors of Denver and Chicago — proceeded without Adams in attendance.
The FBI probe into his campaign finances is ongoing. Neither Adams nor anyone in his campaign have been charged with any crimes.
But the Mayor did have his electronic devices seized last month.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have declined to say what the investigation is about, but the warrant indicated that investigators are examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive donations from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors.
English (US)