NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks with members of the press after interacting with Pre-K students at Friends of Crown Heights Education Center on November 13, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. Mamdani along with Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman and Councilmember Rita Joseph met with educators and visited with young students, speaking about his campaign promise of free care for children starting at 6 weeks old. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday his intention to meet with New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani. This announcement marks a notable shift in the ongoing political dynamic between the two, who have been embroiled in a contentious rivalry throughout the mayoral campaign. As Trump prepared to return to Washington, he stated, “We’ll work something out,” suggesting a willingness to collaborate for the benefit of New York.
The remarks signal a dramatic change from the months of criticism Trump directed at Mamdani. During the campaign, Trump frequently referred to Mamdani as a “communist,” vocally predicted the decline of New York if he were to take office, and even threatened deportation despite Mamdani being a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Uganda. He also suggested withholding federal funding from the city, illustrating the intensity of their political exchanges.
Mamdani, at just 34 years old, transformed from a relatively unknown state lawmaker to a prominent figure in progressive politics. His campaign leveraged a robust social media strategy alongside a comprehensive platform of left-leaning proposals, which directly challenged Trump’s agenda. This approach resonated with voters, allowing Mamdani to secure a victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly 9 percentage points.
In his victory speech, Mamdani called for New York to demonstrate to the nation “how to defeat the president.” Despite expressing a desire to “Trump-proof” the city, he also indicated openness to working with the White House if it served the interests of New Yorkers.
While representatives from Mamdani’s team did not immediately comment on Trump’s statements, his campaign highlighted prior comments in which the mayor-elect expressed the importance of maintaining a productive relationship with the federal administration, stating that this connection would be “critical to the success of the city.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was indeed referencing Mamdani, though no specific date for the proposed meeting has been set.
Trump’s willingness to engage extends beyond local politics. In broader remarks, he mentioned the possibility of upcoming discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, following a recent military buildup in the region. “I’ll talk to anybody,” Trump stated, emphasizing his approach to international relations.
As the political landscape evolves, the potential meeting between Trump and Mamdani may indicate a strategic pivot, not only for their relationship but also for the governance of New York City in the coming years.
