Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on Fox 5

December 31, 2023

Host: And so we want to go out to Stephanie Bertini right now, she joins me. You know, Stephanie, thanks so much for being with us here. We've been kind of checking in with you all throughout the day, but you have a special guest, a pretty big deal in the Big Apple. Who do you got?

Stephanie Bertini: I got Mayor Eric Adams standing right here beside me. Indeed, a big deal here in the Big Apple. Mayor, how are you?

Mayor Eric Adams: Well, the Big Apple is a big place to be. And you know, think about it: two years ago when I took office, we had the fourth lowest tourism in 25 years; now, we have the fourth highest tourism in the history of the city. Crime is down, jobs are up.

With all the crises we face, from Covid to migrants, we're so resilient. This is an amazing city only because of the people. We're made of the best stuff on earth.

Bertini: Talk about the aggressive stance that the city has taken, the NYPD, other law enforcement agencies to make sure it's a safe night.

Mayor Adams: And that was our number one focus. Many people were concerned about, you know, the different activities that may take place, but you see the NYPD is out here in full force. They do this better than anyone. No one does the protection of big shows better than this Police Department.

And then we have just a good energy that's here in the city. People want to bring in 2024. And I'm excited about it and I'm looking forward to the excitement that's going to come with it.

Bertini: Mayor, you know, we are here, the crossroads of the world. I don't know if you know this, mayor, but I'm Canadian. I've been shouting out to my people in Canada all night.

Mayor Adams: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Bertini: What do you want to say to the country tonight as we welcome 2024?

Mayor Adams: Well, listen, there's no place on the globe that "Dream" is attached to its name. There's no other country on the globe that has that. There is an American Dream and it's alive and well, and New York City is the cornerstone of that dream.

I like to say there's two types of Americans: those who live in New York and those who wish they could. If you can't live it, come out and enjoy it and experience it. We have a lot of obstacles in front of us, but that's who we are.

And our neighbors in Canada, we have been partners here in America for so long, we must come together and deal with everything from climate change to massive mobilizations of human beings to dealing with these challenges, we can do them together, and I'm excited to be the mayor of this great city.

Bertini: Mayor, so I've been sharing, you know, the festivities, my props. I want to share my prop with you tonight. You gonna put that on for us?

Mayor Adams: Yes, yes.

Bertini: There you go, guys.

Mayor Adams: I'm gonna rock it. 2024!

Bertini: Mayor Eric Adams, live with us from New York City tonight. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Enjoy it.

Bertini: Happy New Year. Back to you inside.

Host: You know, Stephanie, I gotta ask you, we can ask the mayor. What are his resolutions for the new year? What does he want to leave behind in 2023?

Bertini: Okay, let me tell my photographer [Jimmy Mitchell] to frame the mayor back up. They want to know, do you have a resolution or two?

Mayor Adams: Yes. Yes, yes. You know, 2024 for me, New York's resolution is about family. I think we all need to lean into our family again. I have a son who has watched me, for 20‑something years he's been watching his dad going out and doing things for the world, now it's time to do things for, what I want to be his world.

And we're going to enjoy football games together, just, you know, spend some time together. And you know, I love my son a lot, you know, and he was just really patient with me. And this year is about Jordan.

Bertini: That's wonderful, mayor. You said, how old is he, mayor, 24?

Mayor Adams: No, no, Jordan is now 28 years old now.

Bertini: He's been watching you for...yes.

Mayor Adams: Yes, for over 30‑something years, you know, for his 20‑something years of life he's been sitting on the sideline and just watching his dad just doing his public life, now I want to get into the private life of what he means to me.

Bertini: That's wonderful, mayor. You know, a little earlier, I gave a shout out to my son. His name is [Zane]. He's four turning five in January.

Mayor Adams: Love it. Love it. Love it.

Bertini: Watching his mom tonight. He's in Toronto.

Mayor Adams: Oh, okay, listen, he's in Drake‑land, you know?

Bertini: Shout out to Drake! All right, back to you guys inside. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

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