President Donald Trump and New York’s incoming chairman, Zohran Mamdani, are set to meet at the White House on Friday, marking their first face-to-face discussion after months of heated trades amid the city’s mayoral campaign.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old majority-rule communist, scored a decisive victory in New York City’s mayoral race earlier this month, defeating former Representative Andrew Cuomo by nine points. Once a relatively local political figure, he has quickly become a nationally recognized name following his upset win.
Meeting Requested by Mamdani, Trump Says
In a statement, Trump claimed that Mamdani—whom he has repeatedly labeled a “communist mayor”—requested the Oval Office meeting. The mayor-elect, however, emphasized that the discussion will focus on key issues facing New Yorkers: public safety, affordability, and economic stability.
“I plan to be very clear with President Trump,” Mamdani told reporters Thursday. “I’m ready to support any federal agenda that helps New Yorkers. But if something harms our residents, I won’t hesitate to speak out.”
Mamdani’s spokesperson, Dora Pekec, described the meeting as a traditional step for an incoming administration, though recent New York mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams did not hold one-on-one Oval Office sessions with a sitting president.
Months of Political Tension
Tensions between Trump and Mamdani have mounted since Mamdani’s Democratic primary win in June. Trump has repeatedly attacked the young politician, casting him as an extremist and warning that he represents the future direction of the Democratic Party. He has even suggested withholding federal funding from the nation’s largest city in response to Mamdani’s victory.
In the final weeks of the mayoral race, Trump—himself a New York native—intensified his criticism, arguing that Mamdani lacked experience and labeling him “radical.” In an unusual move, Trump endorsed Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.
Their back-and-forth continued on Election Night. During his victory speech, Mamdani joked that Trump should “turn the volume up” on his television. Minutes later, Trump fired back on his Truth Social account with a cryptic post: “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”
Mamdani’s Rise and His Agenda
A former state assemblyman, Mamdani ran on a platform centered on affordability and combating New York’s cost-of-living crisis. His surprise primary win signaled that many voters were eager for change.
“For so many New Yorkers, this meeting represents a clash between two very different visions for the country,” Mamdani said Thursday. “But people voted because they want leaders who will tackle rising costs head-on.”
Mamdani has also pledged to challenge Trump’s national immigration policies, promising that New York will “remain a city of immigrants.” His team has already expanded its legal staff in preparation for potential court fights with the federal government.
