Trump, at Al Smith dinner, sympathizes with NYC Mayor Adams over “persecution” amid indictment

Former President Donald Trump chimed successful connected Mayor Adam’s ineligible woes at  the Al Smith foundation dinner successful Manhattan Thursday, stating his oft-repeated taxable that he’s being persecuted by politically-motivated prosecutors.

Speaking from the podium of the 79th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner astatine the Hilton Midtown, the Republican statesmanlike nominee cheered connected the politician amid his combat against federal corruption He said helium knew Adams would get indicted aft helium heard him criticizing the Biden medication implicit the migrant crisis..

“We were persecuted, Eric,” Trump said to Adams, who was seated astatine the dais a fewer chairs down from the erstwhile president. “You’re gonna win, Eric.”

The statesmanlike campaigner went connected to ridicule national prosecutors — who successful 2023 indicted Trump for hoarding classified documents astatine his Mar-a-Lago edifice successful Florida  — saying, “I don’t similar what they do,” earlier calling the charges that Adams faces “peanuts” compared with his ain ineligible woes.

Republican statesmanlike nominee erstwhile President Donald Trump speaks arsenic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listens astatine the 79th yearly Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, successful New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A spokesperson for Adams — who has endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris — said immoderate comments Trump made astatine the lighthearted fundraiser shouldn’t beryllium taken seriously.

“It is the Al Smith dinner…People marque jokes — and nary 1 takes them seriously. It’s each done successful the sanction of foundation and to rise wealth for a bully cause,” said Fabien Levy.

Adams has pleaded not blameworthy to charges helium solicited bribes and amerciable run contributions from Turkish authorities operatives successful speech for doing governmental favors,

Thursday’s remarks were the 2nd clip Trump has publicly offered enactment for Adams, who helium defended during a property league astatine his Midtown skyscraper past month.

“I noticed the indictment’s precise old. It goes backmost a agelong time. Well, I had the aforesaid thing, they went mode earlier the statute of limitations,” Trump told reporters astatine the time, referring to Adams’ indictment.

The Democratic politician responded to questions astir Trump’s comments astatine the clip by saying  “I invited enactment from each American, nary substance wherever they are and who they are.”

Originally Published: October 17, 2024 astatine 11:12 p.m.