Mayor Adams Backs Kai Cenat for Second Giveaway—But With a Lesson Learned
In a compelling turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is giving social media influencer Kai Cenat a second chance—publicly encouraging him to organize another giveaway event, but with more structure and safety in mind. The conversation between the Bronx-born streamer and the mayor, shared in a YouTube video on June 23, marked a notable shift from the chaos that erupted at Cenat’s previous event in 2023.
Back in August 2023, Cenat—known for his massive following on Twitch and YouTube—announced a spontaneous giveaway in Union Square, offering PlayStation consoles and other electronics. What was meant to be a generous, celebratory moment quickly turned into bedlam. Thousands of young fans crowded the area, and the situation escalated into a full-blown riot. People climbed on buses, threw paint cans, broke windows, and generally overwhelmed the space. Over 60 arrests were made, including 30 juveniles, and Cenat himself was briefly detained. Although the charges were later dropped after he paid restitution and issued a public apology, the event left a lasting impression on both city officials and the influencer himself.
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Fast forward to 2025: Cenat now wants to try again—this time, the right way. In the video, he earnestly acknowledges the influence he holds, saying, “I didn’t want it to be that way, but I’ve learned from it.” And Mayor Adams agrees, stating clearly that this is still Cenat’s city—but one he needs to help protect. Using examples like the recent organized boxing event in Times Square, Adams emphasized the need to work with city agencies and obtain the proper permits to avoid a repeat of 2023.
“You do it right,” Adams told Cenat. “Now that you see your influence, you can’t do it on the level you did before, because now you’ve blown up.”
The mayor’s backing signals a broader outreach effort to connect with younger audiences and influencers—though it doesn’t come without controversy. Just last week, Adams faced backlash for inviting other internet personalities to Gracie Mansion, including streamer Sneako, who has a history of antisemitic remarks. While Adams later distanced himself from that particular guest, his approach remains clear: engage the new generation where they are, online and in real-time.
During the conversation, Cenat also raised concerns about policing, pointing to an incident involving fellow streamer Fanum, whose Lamborghini was seized by police after a parade. Adams promised to look into it, asking Cenat to have Fanum call him directly.
Although no date has been announced for the next giveaway, Cenat assured fans that “another one is locked in.” And this time, it looks like it’ll have City Hall’s stamp of approval—if done responsibly. The message is simple but powerful: learn from the past, use your influence wisely, and remember that great power comes with great responsibility.
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