Samuel Case, FISM News

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams took aim at the state of Kansas on Tuesday saying the state “doesn’t have a brand,” drawing ire from Midwesterners.

“We have a brand. New York has a brand and when people see it, it means something,” Adams said. “Kansas doesn’t have a brand,” he said, then laughing to himself. “When you go there, you’re, ‘OK, you from Kansas?”

“New York has a brand,” the Mayor continued, “it has a brand, and that brand means diversity, that brand means we care, that brand means we’re compassionate.”

His comments came during a press conference on Tuesday while discussing his Sunday visit to storm-torn Puerto Rico, where Adams wore a polo with “MAYOR” on the back. 

Notable Kansans decried the Mayor’s comments. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo fired back at Adams tweeting, “Mayor Adams brand? Crime, Violence and crushing taxes.”

Mayor Adams brand? Crime, Violence, and crushing taxes. Kansas brand? Nation's breadbasket and aviation capital of the world, all powered by hard-working, decent people who put family, faith, and community first. https://t.co/Noa3scja1j

— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) September 27, 2022

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) tweeted, “Kansas has KS wheat, Jayhawk basketball, KS beef, and the Wizard of Oz.” He added “What’s New York Mayor Adams’ brand? Violence, murder, homelessness, and high taxes? I’ll take Kansas any day.”

Even late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel came to the Sunflower State’s defense.

“First of all, I just want to say my wife went to Kansas and I have to defend them. Kansas does have a brand. It’s the rectangle next to the other rectangle,” Kimmel joked. 

“But more importantly, what did Kansas do to deserve that? I mean, they’re minding their own business and then they get an unprompted attack from the Mayor of New York,” he said.