NYC Mayor Eric Adams Faces Backlash After Cigar Interview with Controversial Streamer Sneako

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sparked widespread criticism after he was seen smoking cigars with controversial internet personality Sneako—an influencer known for promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories—during an interview at the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion.

Adams, who is campaigning for re-election under the ballot line “EndAntiSemitism”, has previously championed measures to combat antisemitism, including adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition and delivering several speeches in support of Israel.

However, Adams came under fire on Saturday night after a livestreamed hour-long conversation with Sneako (real name: Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy), a content creator banned by YouTube, Twitch, and Kick for spreading anti-Israel views and antisemitic rhetoric. Sneako has also circulated Holocaust denialist narratives online.

Political and Community Reactions

US Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) condemned the meeting in a post on X (formerly Twitter):

“First, the President dines at Mar-a-Lago with Nick Fuentes and Kanye West—both unrepentant antisemites. Now, the Mayor is smoking cigars at Gracie Mansion with Sneako—yet another antisemite, who once declared: ‘Down with the Jews’. Who’s next on the guest list—David Duke?”

Torres referenced a livestream from March 2024, where Sneako told three children on an anonymous video chat site, who identified as Palestinian: “Free Palestine, down with the Yehud”—a derogatory term for Jews.

Mayor’s Response

At a Monday press briefing on public safety, Adams responded to the criticism:

“This was not a planned interview,” Adams said. “I didn’t know his history, and I don’t support anything that criticises any group in this city.”

Adams explained he had been on the back porch of Gracie Mansion with his son, Jordan Coleman, smoking cigars when other guests joined them. He stated that he had invited conservative influencer Amber Rose, who then brought Sneako along.

“When she came in, she brought a friend, and he was the friend she brought,” said Adams, adding, “I just try to be authentic. You didn’t hear anything antisemitic in that conversation. You didn’t hear anything I haven’t said before.”

The Interview Content

The livestream featured Adams advocating for cryptocurrency as a tool for remittance, criticising the so-called “deep state”, and endorsing the book Government Gangsters by FBI Director Kash Patel.

On the topic of ethnicity, Sneako claimed his mother is Filipino and his father is “half Black, quarter Jewish, and quarter white”. He also repeated that his grandfather was a Holocaust survivor—a claim previously made in a stream with Jewish content creator Adin Ross.

However, in past appearances, Sneako refused to label Adolf Hitler as evil and made statements casting doubt on the mechanics of the Holocaust, such as:

“Why would they have wooden doors in the gas chambers? How do you fit 6 million people in a gas chamber?”

In August 2024, Sneako posted: “We’re sick of hearing about the Holocaust.”

Outrage from Jewish Organisations

Numerous Jewish organisations have denounced the mayor’s engagement with Sneako.

Jews for Racial & Economic Justice Action, a left-wing group, shared a photograph of Adams and Sneako shaking hands, calling the “EndAntiSemitism” ballot line a “transparent PR stunt”.

Phylisa Wisdom, Executive Director of the New York Jewish Agenda, stated:

“It matters whose voices we platform. Having Sneako broadcast from the people’s house in the most Jewish city in America is unacceptable. There is no misunderstanding when someone has said ‘down with the Jews’.”

Betar Worldwide, a far-right pro-Israel group, also condemned Adams, accusing him of “smoking cigars with a Jew-hating influencer”.

Sneako and Rose Defend Interview

Sneako responded in a livestream, criticising media coverage and claiming misrepresentation:

“They didn’t quote anything from the interview. I said I’m Jewish during that conversation. My family died in Auschwitz.”

He dismissed allegations of antisemitism as politically motivated:

“They call you antisemitic just for criticising Israel. That word has no more meaning. Nobody believes in it anymore.”

Amber Rose also came to his defence, posting on X:

“FAKE NEWS!!! @nypost I was there and know @sneako!! He’s a Jew! Liars. Why are you trying to sabotage @NYCMayor???”

The incident continues to provoke intense debate over the responsibilities of elected officials and the implications of platforming individuals with controversial histories, especially in the context of rising antisemitism.