“First of all, I do not want to get into theoreticals,” he replied. “I did not hear the comments clearly.”

He added that he had “not seen a transcript” and that it was “really theoretical” to ask “someone” these sort of questions. “I just think that’s not fair,” he said.

In nearly five months in office, de Blasio barred the media from 53 events and limited access to 30 more, an Associated Press analysis of de Blasio’s schedule shows. On a handful of days, his entire schedule was off limits. All told, more than 20 percent of his listed events were closed to the media.

“It’s easier to manage the message if you leave the media out of it,” said Hunter College professor Jamie Chandler.

Last Tuesday, the Rent Guidelines Board voted to approve a proposed rent renewal increase ranging from 0 to 3 percent for one-year renewals and 0.5 to 4.5 percent for two-year leases.

This is silly, opportunistic policy-making designed to pander rather than solve problems. We urge a more thoughtful approach.

The day the deal was announced, his office said the 9-year contract, which includes two years of retroactive pay and raises going forward, would cost the city $5.5 billion.

But according to the mayor’s office on Wednesday, with the impact of the deal, which only extends through fiscal year 2018, will bring the total cost of settling the outstanding teacher’s [contract] to $8.97 billion — a 63 percent increase from the initial estimate.

“Bill de Blasio raised prodigious amounts of money from the taxi industry during his run for mayor. Now, one of the consultants who helped him raise money from that industry is helping him regulate it.”