Adams’ Apple

Swagger.

It’s obvious in his frequent, confident smile; it expresses itself in the flamboyant cut of his clothes; and it works its way into speech that’s heavy on colorful aphorisms and wordplay.

“I will never forget that my glory is not my story,” he said shortly after taking office. “I only had a badge as a cop because my mom used a rag and a mop to create a better future for me.”

The bonhomie is very different from the dogmatic tone adopted by his predecessor, Bill de Blasio.

But eight months into his term as mayor, Eric Adams needs all the swagger he can lay his hands on. The city is still recovering from a brutal encounter with Covid that led to a cycle of lockdowns and restrictions. Two years ago, the world was shocked by footage of tony designer stores in Midtown Manhattan boarded up during the George Floyd riots.