President Donald Trump will meet Friday with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House, the first face-to-face encounter between the two since a bruising election season.
Trump confirmed the meeting on his social media platform, calling Mamdani a “communist” but noting the session came at the incoming mayor’s request. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, said he plans to raise the rising cost of living in New York, skyrocketing grocery prices, and what he sees as harmful federal policies under the Trump administration.
During the campaign, Mamdani promised to make life more affordable for the city’s 8.5 million residents. Trump, despite past sharp criticism of his opponent, said he remains willing to work with anyone for New York’s benefit.
Before the election, Trump repeatedly labeled Mamdani a communist and even threatened to withhold federal funding from the city. Mamdani now hopes to explain directly how those policies hurt New Yorkers.
Analysts say the meeting, despite deep ideological differences, underscores the need for cooperation on city interests and could signal broader shifts in national politics.
