US President Donald Trump recently indicated that he has plans to meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a potential easing of tensions between the duo who had positioned themselves as political rivals.
Despite their history of public clashes during the mayoral election campaign season, Trump stated that Mamdani has expressed interest in meeting him in Washington DC, and said, “We’ll work something out.”
‘Mamdani is a communist’
Trump, had earlier called Mamdani a “communist” and slammed him on several occasions. He had also predicted the ruin of his hometown New York if Mamdani was elected.
Trump had in fact called for the deportation of Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a US naturalised citizen in 2018, while also threatening to cut federal funding for the city if the latter rose to power.
What is Trump saying now?
Trump has now said he wants to see “everything work out well for New York”, Associated Press reported, even as no date for their meeting has been set up, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Mamdani also makes U-turn on ‘Trump proofing’ wish
Mamdani, who is New York City’s youngest and first Muslim Mayor, had also spoken about his plans to ‘Trump-proof’ the city once he takes office in January 2026 but later said he was willing to work with anyone, including Trump, if it helps New Yorkers.
Deemed a commoner’s hero, Mamdani, who defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly 9 percentage points, was propelled to victory largely by the support of younger voters eager for affordable living.
His electoral policies strongly focussed on freezing rents for stabilised apartments and expanding social benefits such as free bus rides, and universal healthcare for all.
He will be sworn in as mayor on January 1, 2026 at the Gracie Mansion, which is the official residence of New York City mayors, overlooking the East River.
