Andy Cohen Blasts Eric Adams During New Year’s Eve Telecast, Former Mayor Saved Bally’s Bronx Casino Bid
Posted on: January 1, 2026, 09:49h.
Last updated on: January 1, 2026, 09:49h.
- Andy Cohen is happy Eric Adams is no longer the mayor of New York City
- Adams was responsible for saving the Bally’s Bronx casino bid
- Bally’s Bronx was ultimately awarded a downstate New York gaming license
Flamboyant television host Andy Cohen didn’t mince words in expressing his delight that Eric Adams is no longer the mayor of New York City during CNN’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
With Zohran Mamdani sworn in shortly after midnight, with his hand on the Quran as he became the first Muslim leader of the nation’s largest city, Adams is no longer mayor. Cohen, a bit tipsy after a few cocktails and “shotskis” during the live broadcast, as has become customary with his cohost and friend Anderson Cooper, the Bravo executive producer lambasted Adams’ reign.
Watching the final moments of Mayor Adams’ chaotic… you got your pardons, go off into the sunset. We’ll fiddle with what we have left,” a drunken Cohen said. “Go dance away, we’ll see you at all the parties.”
“Sweetie,” Cooper tried to interject.
“Goodbye, Mayor Adams! You did it, you got your pardon,” Cohen responded.
Adams Saved Bally’s Bid
Eric Adams’ tenure as New York City mayor was marked by controversy. The former Brooklyn Borough president was initially celebrated for his tough-on-crime approach, but a series of investigations beginning in 2024 muddled his tenure.
Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions. The mayor denied the allegations, claiming the DOJ under President Joe Biden was retaliating against him for his opposition to the federal government’s handling of the migrant crisis.
Under President Trump’s DOJ, federal prosecutors dropped the charges. While there was no pardon, as Cohen insisted last night, the dismissal of the case was panned by some who claimed the Trump administration sought a quid pro quo where Adams would abide by ICE raids in exchange for the charges being dropped.
More controversy emerged when Adams singlehandedly saved the Bally’s Corporation’s bid for a casino development in the Bronx. After the New York City Council voted 29-9 against allowing a casino resort on the city-owned Ferry Point Park, Adams vetoed the land-use decision to allow the $2.3 billion proposal to continue.
Bally’s was ultimately awarded one of the three downstate New York casino licenses. The outcome means Bally’s will pay The Trump Organization $115 million, a condition of the company acquiring the management lease to the city-owned golf course in the Bronx from Trump in 2023. The condition stipulated that the fee would be paid should Bally’s secure the rights to operate slot machines at the property.
Many saw Adams’ support of the Bally’s Bronx bid as a way to find favor with Trump for a possible role in the administration once his tenure concluded.
Mamdani Mayor
Mamdani is no fan of casinos or gambling, but with the downstate casino licenses granted by the New York State Gaming Commission, he has no authority to revoke the slot machine, live dealer table game, and sports betting privileges.
Mamdani has pledged to uphold the downstate casino law, which voters passed in 2013.
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