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Posted on 04/14/2026 12:26:13 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has become a citizen of Albania by a special presidential decree, adding an unexpected milestone to his post-political life.
Albanian President Bajram Begaj signed the decree at Adams’ own request. Albanian media reported the development first. Spokesman Todd Shapiro confirmed that Eric Adams received Albanian citizenship voluntarily, describing him as a longstanding friend of the Albanian-American community.
Shapiro also said the honor reflects a relationship built on mutual respect and that it deepens the ties between New York City and Albania.
The roots of that relationship go back to Adams’ time in office. He organized three flag-raising ceremonies for Albania at City Hall and hosted a celebration of Albanian culture at Gracie Mansion.
Adams regularly noted that New York is home to around 40,000 Albanian residents, which he called the largest Albanian expatriate community anywhere in the world. He often described New York as the American version of Albania, a comparison he extended to other cities, including Athens, Kyiv, Seoul, and Istanbul.
The connection also involves his family. His son, Jordan Coleman, competed on Albania’s equivalent of American Idol in 2022.
Adams recalled his son calling him from the country and saying he loved it so much he was not sure he wanted to come back. The son, Adams said, repeatedly encouraged him to fly the Albanian flag.
After withdrawing from the mayoral race, Adams traveled to Albania in October and met with Prime Minister Edi Rama and cabinet officials to discuss business and tourism. The Albanian government covered part of the trip’s cost. Adams described the visit as an effort to build a lasting friendship across borders.
What he plans to do with the citizenship remains unclear. In earlier years, he spoke about retiring in Baku and in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Personal ties, an October visit, and unanswered questions
His international travel had already drawn legal scrutiny. Federal prosecutors accused him of accepting free flights, luxury hotel stays, and illegal campaign donations linked to Turkish nationals. Adams denied all charges.
The case was dropped by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department under circumstances that drew public attention. Afterward, Adams held discussions with Trump administration officials regarding a possible ambassadorship, but no appointment was made.
Since leaving office, Adams has visited Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo and has mentioned a business trip to Senegal. Earlier this year, he released a cryptocurrency coin he said was aimed at countering antisemitism and anti-Americanism. Its value fell sharply not long after launch.
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In a related story, Eric Swallwell has also just become an Albanian citizen.
Anyone named Epstein in Albania?
“He often described New York as the American version of Albania”
British joke:
“Visit Albania, your car is already there.”
Albania....one of the more obscure nations of the world. During the cold war it was run by communist dictator called Enver Hoxa. A rather bizarre choice for a black American to become citizen of. There must be more to this story. 2.4 million pop. Tirana is the capital.
Ex-NYC Mayor Eric Adams did not go to jail for accepting Turkish gifts.
While indicted in 2024 on federal corruption charges alleging he took illegal gifts and campaign contributions, the Department of Justice directed federal prosecutors to drop all charges against him in February 2025.
The indictment alleged that from 2014 to 2022, Adams accepted luxury travel and improper campaign donations from Turkish officials in exchange for political favors, including pressuring the FDNY.
The charges were dropped in February 2025 following a change in federal administration guidance, which stated the investigation had hindered his ability to manage the city.
A Turkish-American businessman, a donor, was sentenced to probation for his role.
Spike Lee had a movie where Albania/Hoxa was a major plot point.
Why?
John Belushi is probably the most famous Albanian-American.
It was also the country featured in the movie “Wag The Dog”, as the location of the fictional war.
—
“Wag The Dog” was based on the Kosovo War whose principle aggressor was Albanians. They were famous for the endless lines of refugees - they entered a town, passed through it, and circled back to enter the town again.
I’d forgotten that. I’m aging faster than I thought.
That movie does seem to have fallen into the memory hole for some reason.
I remember that loaf of bread.
Yes, Kosovo was known as “Monica’s War”.
It was a bag of Doritos.
Does his brother Jim inherit the title of most famous living Albanian-American? Maybe it will be Eric now.
Dua Lipa is probably the most famous Albanian now.
Some singer right?
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