Trump to Meet wiht New york City Mayor Mamdani at White House
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump will meet with New York City Mayor-elect Yusuf Mamdani at teh White House next week, marking their first face-to-face encounter, the White House confirmed thursday. The meeting,scheduled for November 28,comes despite a contentious mayoral election in which Trump actively campaigned against Mamdani,and reflects a willingness from the former president to engage with political opponents.
The incoming mayor has positioned the meeting as a crucial possibility to advocate for his core campaign promises: a sweeping affordability agenda for New York City. These proposals include fare-free public buses, city-operated grocery stores, rent freezes for over 1 million rent-stabilized units, and the implementation of a universal childcare program. “I view this meeting as an opportunity for me to make my case,” Mamdani stated on Thursday. “It behooves me to ensure that I leave no stone unturned in looking to make this city more affordable.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating that TrumpS willingness to meet demonstrates his openness to dialog across the political spectrum.”President Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone and to try to do what’s right on behalf of the American people, whether they live in blue states or red states, or blue cities,” Leavitt said.
Despite the stated openness to discussion,the relationship between trump and Mamdani has been fraught with tension. During the mayoral campaign, Trump dismissed Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa as inadequate and endorsed Self-reliant candidate Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of New York, while labeling Mamdani a “little communist.” The Trump governance also previously withheld federal funding for key infrastructure projects in the region, including the gateway Tunnel and the Second Avenue subway.
Recent data indicates a meaningful disapproval rating for Trump among New York voters – 70% disapproval versus 27% approval, according to CNN’s exit polling from the mayoral election. However,the same polling revealed a notable overlap in their voter bases,with 10% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 also supporting Mamdani,suggesting a shared appeal in their populist economic messaging despite their ideological differences.
The White House has not yet announced who else will be present at the meeting.
