Fact Check: U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres Criticizes Mayor Eric Adams' Appearance with Sneako
What We Know
U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams for co-hosting a livestream with Sneako, a controversial right-wing internet personality known for antisemitic remarks. During the livestream, which took place at Gracie Mansion, Adams and Sneako discussed various topics, including cryptocurrency and a book by former FBI Director Kash Patel. The event drew significant backlash online, particularly due to Sneako's history of making antisemitic comments, including a past statement of "Down with the yahud [Jews]" during a livestream in March 2024 (Gothamist, NBC New York). In response to Adams' appearance, Torres posted on X (formerly Twitter), asking, "Who’s next on the guest list—David Duke?" This comment highlighted the concern over Adams' choice of guests, especially given his stated commitment to combatting antisemitism as part of his re-election campaign (Gothamist, NBC New York).
Analysis
The claim that Rep. Ritchie Torres criticized Mayor Eric Adams for his association with Sneako is supported by multiple sources. Both Gothamist and NBC New York report on Torres' specific comment regarding David Duke, a well-known figure associated with white supremacy and antisemitism. This context is crucial as it underscores the severity of the criticism directed at Adams, suggesting that his decision to host someone like Sneako could lead to further controversial associations.
The sources used in this fact-check are reliable, with Gothamist being a well-regarded local news outlet and NBC New York being a major news network. Both outlets provide detailed accounts of the livestream event and the subsequent reactions, including Torres' remarks. The credibility of these sources is bolstered by their established reputations for covering local politics and social issues.
However, it is important to note that while Adams' spokesperson defended the mayor's actions by stating that interviews do not equate to endorsements of the interviewer's views, this defense does not mitigate the criticism regarding the optics of the situation (Gothamist, NBC New York). The juxtaposition of Adams' efforts to combat antisemitism with his choice of guests raises legitimate questions about his political judgment and messaging.
Conclusion
The claim that U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres criticized Mayor Eric Adams for his appearance with Sneako, referencing David Duke, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Torres made this statement in direct response to Adams' actions, highlighting a significant concern regarding the implications of such associations in the context of Adams' stated commitment to fighting antisemitism.
