What did Andy Cohen say about Eric Adams? Former New York mayor calls public intoxication "a disease" after Bravo host's NYE rant

Former New York City mayor Eric Adams hit back at Andy Cohen following the latter's rant at the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square on January 1, 2026. For those uninformed, December 31 was Adams' last day as NYC's mayor, as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as his successor on New Year's Day.

Around the same time, Andy Cohen and co-host Anderson Cooper, accompanied by actor BJ Novak, celebrated the ball drop on CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve Live. Andy Cohen, who appeared intoxicated while holding a shot glass, went on a tirade against Eric Adams, calling the former mayor's four-year term "chaotic" and "horrible."

The Bravo host also mentioned Adams' legal troubles after he was charged with bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses in September 2024. Adams' case was dismissed without prejudice in April 2025, which Cohen mistakenly compared to a presidential pardon during his New Year's Eve rant.

“I just want to say, I mean he’s got his pardons, he’s pardoned. Great, you got your pardons, go off in the sunset. We’ll, we’ll fiddle with what we have, with what you left us with,” Andy Cohen said.

Andy Cohen continued his trade even as Novak and Cooper tried to cut him off and de-escalate the situation, adding that he wanted to say goodbye to the former mayor. He also mentioned Adams' new Office of Rodent Mitigation, suggesting that it was a parallel to Adams leaving.

“I will say this. I think he may have dented the rat population. I think he got rid of some of the rats, but isn’t that a metaphor of sorts? Let’s call it as it is, honestly. It is 2026 and there are less rats,” Cohen said.

Meanwhile, Eric Adams hit back at Cohen's tirade via a post on social media, calling it a "sloppy drunken rant." He called public intoxication a "disease" and suggested that Cohen seek help, writing:

"Another sloppy drunken rant. If anyone actually cares about him, they’ll tell him to get help. New Yorkers aren’t laughing with him. They are concerned about him. Public intoxication is a disease. He should seek help. He was safe in Times Square because we did our job. Again. Seek help. AAA: Andy’s Alcohol Anonymous.”

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Andy Cohen targeted another former NYC mayor in 2022

This is not the first time Andy Cohen has gone on a tirade against an outgoing New York City mayor during the New Year's Eve ball drop. During CNN's New Year's Eve celebration to welcome 2022, an inebriated Cohen ranted about former mayor Bill de Blasio, claiming that Blasio might go on a "victory lap dance after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York [City]," and adding:

"The only thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara, sucka!”

CNN's annual New Year's Eve Live previously raised eyebrows for on-air drinking. Following Andy Cohen's tirade about de Blasio, the network banned drinking during the celebration, resulting in the hosts drinking pickle juice the following year. However, the no-drinking policy was soon revoked.

In an Instagram post following his 2022 rant, Andy Cohen claimed he was "overserved" during the celebrations, but added that he had fun. The Bravo host used a similar excuse this year as well.

In an Instagram post on New Year's Day, Cohen uploaded a picture of himself with Anderson Cooper, claiming that they had been "overserved." He also thanked his co-host for having his back, saying:

"What a wild ride! Thanks to my pal @andersoncooper for having me back, and for having my back always. We had a ball and yes I’d venture to say we were a tad overserved (by me)…. What was your favorite part of the show?? (Also - thanks @mackage for the coat!)"

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In other news, newly elected NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked all executive orders that Eric Adams signed since his indictment in 2024. The 34-year-old Democratic socialist, who was sworn in using the Qur’an, pledged a "new era" for New York City in his speech.

Edited by Juhi Marzia