President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is open to meeting with New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. This development marks a notable shift in their previously contentious relationship. “We’ll work something out,” Trump told reporters as he prepared to return to Washington after a weekend in Florida. His comments come as Mamdani expressed interest in establishing a dialogue, with Trump stating, “We want to see everything work out well for New York.”
The remarks from Trump represent a dramatic change from the months of criticism he directed at Mamdani during the mayoral campaign. The former president had labeled Mamdani a “communist,” warned of New York’s potential downfall if he won, and even suggested deportation, despite Mamdani being a naturalized citizen born in Uganda. Trump also threatened to withhold federal funding from the city.
Mamdani, 34, has quickly risen from being a little-known state lawmaker to one of the most prominent progressive voices in the United States. His campaign effectively utilized social media, combined with a range of left-leaning policy proposals, to challenge Trump’s agenda head-on. This strategy resonated with a broad spectrum of New Yorkers, enabling him to defeat former Governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly 9 percentage points.
On election night, Mamdani’s victory speech emphasized a call for New York to serve as a model for the nation in overcoming Trump’s influence. Despite this, he indicated a willingness to collaborate with the White House if it would benefit the residents of New York. His campaign noted that Mamdani aims to reach out to the administration, emphasizing that “this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of the city.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was indeed referring to Mamdani and mentioned that no specific date for a meeting had been established. Trump’s willingness to engage with Mamdani came amid broader discussions about potential international dialogues, including a possible conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro concerning recent military escalations in the region. “I’ll talk to anybody,” Trump remarked, highlighting his openness to dialogue.
As Mamdani prepares to take office in January, the political landscape in New York City may be on the verge of significant transformation. His approach toward Trump could shape not only his administration but also the city’s relationship with the federal government moving forward. The next steps will be closely watched by both supporters and critics as New Yorkers await the unfolding of this new chapter in their city’s governance.