The Brian Lehrer Show New Year's Day: Mayor Adams' Legacy; Wikipedia's Rules; Online Reading
Jan 1, 2026
This week’s guests include Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, who reflects on the platform's origins and the importance of trust in online information. Political reporter Elizabeth Kim discusses Mayor Adams' legacy, highlighting successes and failures during his term. Jeffrey Mays evaluates the impact of corruption allegations and the influencer of migrant crises. Finally, New Yorker staff writer Jay Caspian Kang delves into the relationship between quitting social media and improving reading habits, emphasizing the need for balance in consuming information.
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Adams' Rise Fueled By Safety Narrative
- Eric Adams rose by promising to restore safety and normalcy after the pandemic and appealed to voters worried about crime.
- Public safety and pandemic recovery framed his early political strength and campaign messaging.
Policy Gains Undermined By Management Failures
- Adams pushed housing and literacy reforms as signature policy moves, notably rezoning and reading overhauls in schools.
- These achievements were often undermined by mismanagement, turnover, and weak chain-of-command at City Hall.
Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit
- Adams enacted a major expansion of the city's earned income tax credit early in his term to support low-income workers.
- The program more than doubled city contributions and delivered hundreds of millions to qualifying New Yorkers.