New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a sharp response to Bravo host Andy Cohen after Cohen criticized him during a New Year’s Eve broadcast from Times Square, delivering remarks that drew attention for their timing and tone just moments after the ball dropped, as reported by The New York Post.
Adams, 65, addressed Cohen’s comments in a brief exchange with the New York Post on Thursday afternoon, responding with a pointed remark.
“I have two letters for him: AA,” Adams said with a laugh, referencing Alcoholics Anonymous.
My response to @Andy: AA. Another sloppy drunken rant. If anyone actually cares about him, they’ll tell him to get help. New Yorkers aren’t laughing with him. They are concerned about him. Public intoxication is a disease. He should seek help. He was safe in Times Square… https://t.co/ACAIkEKLkT
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) January 1, 2026
Cohen had been co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage alongside journalist Anderson Cooper when the exchange occurred. Shortly after midnight, Cohen launched into a critique of Adams while holding a shot glass on live television.
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“I’d like to say, watching the final moments of Mayor Adams’ chaotic, horrible…,” Cohen began, before trailing off as Cooper interjected with “don’t,” appearing to caution him against making political comments while on air.
Cohen continued despite the warning.
“I just want to say, I mean, he’s got his pardons, he’s pardoned,” Cohen said. “Great, you got your pardons, go off in the sunset.”
He added, “We’ll, we’ll fiddle with what we have, with what you left us with,” as actor B.J. Novak attempted to calm him down during the broadcast.
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At one point during the segment, Novak suggested Cohen should be “cut off,” while Cooper tried to pat his co-host on the back in an effort to rein in the remarks.
After the ball dropped and after having a few, Andy Cohen goes off about he's relishing the end of Mayor Eric Adams' time as New York City mayor. Anderson Cooper desperately tried to get out of frame but the cameraman does him dirty and goes wide. pic.twitter.com/rmzWi5upN4
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) January 1, 2026
Cohen’s comments referenced the now-dismissed federal corruption case involving Adams.
The case was dropped by the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump, rather than Adams receiving a pardon from the White House. Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with the investigation.
The corruption case stemmed from an indictment brought during the Biden administration in 2024. Following a series of political setbacks tied to the charges, Adams ultimately dropped his reelection bid.
He did not stand trial after federal prosecutors successfully moved to dismiss the case.
Despite the controversy, Adams was present in Times Square on New Year’s Eve and participated in the ceremonial button push for the ball drop that ushered New York City into 2026.
Cohen, a longtime Bravo personality, did not immediately respond publicly to Adams’ comment. CNN has also not issued a statement regarding the exchange during its New Year’s Eve broadcast.
The moment added to a long history of unscripted incidents during live New Year’s Eve television coverage, particularly those involving alcohol and high-profile hosts.
Adams’ response, however brief, quickly circulated online and became part of the broader post-holiday discussion surrounding the broadcast.
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