Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to meet Trump Friday ahead of inauguration
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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will meet Trump at the White House ahead of his January inauguration to discuss public safety, economic security, and city affordability programs.
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New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, left, announces the appointment of Dean Fuleihan, center, as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church, right, as chief of staff, in New York, on November 10, 2025 (AP)
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who won the New York City mayoral race on a platform of affordability and progressive reforms, is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House this Friday, weeks before officially taking office on January 1.
The meeting, announced by Trump on social media Wednesday night, was requested by Mamdani and comes amid a history of tense exchanges between the president and the incoming mayor.
Trump incorrectly labeled Mamdani as the “Communist Mayor of New York City,” though Mamdani is a democratic socialist.
In a statement confirming the meeting, Mamdani emphasized his intent to address pressing issues affecting New Yorkers. Speaking on MS NOW, he said, “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 this city.”
Mamdani has sharply criticized Trump’s immigration policies and threats to cut federal funding to the city. During the mayoral campaign, Trump publicly sought to undermine Mamdani’s candidacy, making a last-minute endorsement of his main rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Despite this, private remarks by Trump reportedly acknowledge Mamdani’s political skill, describing him as “slick” and a good communicator.
Ahead of the meeting, Mamdani indicated a willingness to explore common ground on key issues such as food affordability, while maintaining a firm stance against policies that could harm city residents. His mayoral platform includes freezing rents on stabilized apartments, implementing fare-free city buses, and establishing five city-owned grocery stores to combat high living costs.
Read more: Mamdani defeats billionaire-funded campaign, triggers DEM divide
Mamdani challenges Trump in victory speech
During his victory speech, Mamdani challenged Trump directly, pledging to defend immigrants and calling for accountability in city governance.
“Hear me, President Trump, when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,” he declared.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mamdani visited a police memorial with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, confirming her continuation in office and urging Trump not to deploy the National Guard, as has occurred in other US cities.
Dora Pekec, a spokeswoman for Mamdani, described the upcoming meeting as “customary for an incoming mayoral administration,” noting that discussions will focus on public safety, economic security, and the affordability agenda.
As Mamdani prepares to assume office, the meeting with Trump marks the first high-profile interaction between the incoming mayor and the president, highlighting the balancing act between progressive governance and federal cooperation in the nation’s largest city.
Read more: US politics polarization: How Gaza garnered Mamdani his win
