Trump to Meet with New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Friday After Contentious Campaign
WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump will meet with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House this Friday, a stunning reversal after months of public attacks and threats during a deeply divisive election cycle. The meeting, confirmed by both the White House and Mamdani’s spokesperson, comes as Trump signals a potential shift in focus toward affordability – a key issue that propelled mamdani to victory.
The planned meeting marks a significant turn for both leaders. Trump repeatedly slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him a “communist” and threatening deportation despite mamdani’s naturalized U.S. citizenship, obtained in 2018, and a withdrawal of federal funds from New York City. These threats followed Mamdani’s accomplished campaign centered on “public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda” which resonated with over one million New Yorkers, according to Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec.
following substantial Republican losses in November elections across multiple states - including Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York – Trump has increasingly emphasized affordability, even declaring the Republican party the ”Party of Affordability!” in a recent social media post, despite ongoing claims of a strong economy.
Trump told reporters Sunday night that he “planned to meet with Mamdani,” stating, “we’ll work somthing out.” Mamdani, who officially assumes office in January, confirmed his team had reached out to the White House to arrange the meeting.
During his victory speech earlier this month, the 34-year-old Mamdani, who rose quickly from a Queens state lawmaker to mayor-elect, stated his intention for New York City to demonstrate “how to defeat the president.” He has also discussed “Trump-proofing” New York while maintaining a willingness to collaborate with the president if it benefits New Yorkers.
