Donald Trump, a native of New York City, is set to meet with the city’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, in the Oval Office this Friday. This meeting comes after Trump had previously endorsed Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s long-time rival, in the mayoral race.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump referred to Mamdani as the “Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani,” and confirmed the upcoming meeting. “We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st,” he announced.
This gathering will be the first of its kind between Trump, known for his influential role in shaping Manhattan’s skyline, and Mamdani, who has pledged initiatives like free public buses and rent freezes for millions of New Yorkers. Despite their political differences, there seems to be a willingness to collaborate, as Trump expressed hopes to “work something out” with Mamdani.
Although the two have had a contentious relationship in the past, tensions appear to have eased following the election, paving the way for this significant meeting. It remains to be seen what outcomes will arise from their discussion, but the encounter marks a notable moment in the political dynamics between a Republican president and a leftist mayor-elect.
The meeting will mark the first-ever between Trump, born in Queens and famous for helping build part of the Manhattan skyline, with the incoming mayor who has promised free buses and freezing rent for millions.
Despite the obvious animosity between the leftist and the Republican president, temperatures have cooled between the pair since the election.
The Democratic Socialist confirmed in an interview with NBC New York that he would at least call Trump before being sworn in.
‘It is important that you are open to working with anyone no matter what disagreements you have,’ Mamdani said.
Trump himself indicated a willingness to potentially work with the 32-year-old on Sunday.
Native New Yorker Donald Trump will meet in the Oval Office Friday with the city’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
Despite Trump having endorsed longtime rival Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race, saying the city ‘can’t have a communist mayor,’ since his election , Trump has said he hopes to ‘work something out’ with Mamdani
‘The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us, and we’ll work something out. But he would like to come to Washington and meet. And we’ll work something out. We want to see everything work out well for New York.’
Mamdani confirmed the meeting in an interview with MSNBC Wednesday night where he stated his goals for dealing with the president.
‘I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers, and the way in which New Yorkers are struggling to afford the city,’ he said, citing his own affordability agenda.
Mamdani claimed he wanted to discuss issues that he was hearing from New Yorkers when they told the mayor-elect they had voted for Trump a year ago.
However, cost of living has only increased in the past year, Mamdani claims, and he wants them to work together to do something about it.
‘We’re hearing about child care concerns, rent concerns, con Ed concerns, even just getting on the bus just $2.90. And just to make it clear to the president that this is what we’re talking about, these are the stakes for New Yorkers and their ability to keep calling the city their home,’ he said.
Trump endorsed his longtime rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a last-ditch effort to stop Mamdani from winning the election.
He previously hinted that he would rather a ‘bad Democrat’ like Cuomo beat Mamdani because New York would turn into a ‘complete and total economic and social disaster’ under his principles.
Mamdani confirmed the meeting in an interview with MSNBC Wednesday night where he stated his goals for dealing with the president
The president even threatened on multiple occasions to withhold federal funds from the Big Apple if the 34-year-old came to office.
‘If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,’ he wrote on social media.
‘Because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!’
Mamdani lashed back at the president after winning the election, directly addressing him during his victory speech.
‘Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up!’ he said.
However, in recent weeks, the temperatures have cooled with both sides expressing a desire to speak, leading to a summit in the Oval Office Friday.
