‘Why Can’t You Appreciate Me Telling You That?’ Eric Adams Defends Attempt to Flirt With Interviewer

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked comedian and writer Ziwe Fumudoh, “Why can’t you appreciate me telling you that?” after she joked that she didn’t want him to “hit on me, or something that makes me uncomfortable” during an interview released on Thursday.

Fumudoh (who goes by Ziwe) is known for using humor as a disarming way to ask uncomfortable questions, making a name for herself through interviews with disgraced former Representative George Santos (R-NY), Chet Hanks, and famed author Fran Lebowitz.

At around the 19-minute mark in her interview with Adams, who will remain mayor until mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani is sworn in on Jan. 1, she said, “What I appreciate about you is that everything you say is so memorable. You are like a modern-day Sophocles,” referencing the ancient Greek tragedian, which Adams didn’t seem to register. Instead, the two awkwardly smiled at one another as the camera panned back and forth.

“You know, I don’t think people realize what’s in a person’s eyes,” said Adams to break the silence. “Oh gosh,” Ziwe responded, sounding frustrated. She then tried to change the subject.

“No, go back to that for me,” said Adams. “Oh my goodness. I just don’t want you to hit on me, or something that makes me uncomfortable,” she said, to laughter from Adams.

“Whenever a male gives an authentic conversation, it’s automatically hitting on you. I’m not hitting on you. I’m interacting with you. You have some good energy — you know that,” he pushed back. “So why can’t you appreciate me telling you that?”

“Thank you, Mayor,” Ziwe sarcastically said back.

Watch the conversation about via Ziwe on YouTube.