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Mamdani and Trump to meet at White House after months of public feud
New York City's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, marking an unexpected turn after months of heated exchanges between the two leaders. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist, secured a nine-point victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the city's mayoral race earlier this month, propelling him into the national spotlight.
Meeting framed as routine despite tensions
Trump, in a statement, referred to Mamdani as the "communist mayor" and claimed the meeting was requested by Mamdani's team. The mayor-elect's spokesperson, Dora Pekec, countered that the discussion was customary for an incoming administration. "The Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security, and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago," Pekec said.
Unlike Mamdani's predecessors-Democrats Bill de Blasio and current Mayor Eric Adams-who attended White House gatherings among groups of officials, this Oval Office meeting is notably one-on-one.
Escalating rivalry since June primary
The friction between Trump and Mamdani intensified after Mamdani's Democratic primary win in June. Trump repeatedly labeled Mamdani a "communist" and the future of the Democratic Party, even threatening to cut billions in federal funding to New York City in response to his victory.
In the final stretch of the campaign, Trump, a native New Yorker, framed Mamdani as an inexperienced extremist, claiming he "practically hasn't worked a day in his life." In a rare move, the Republican president endorsed Mamdani's opponent, Cuomo, despite his Democratic affiliation.
Election night taunts and legal threats
Mamdani's victory speech included a direct jab at Trump, urging him to "turn the volume up" on his television. Trump retaliated minutes later on Truth Social, posting, "...AND SO IT BEGINS!"
Since his win, Mamdani has vowed to challenge Trump's policies, hiring additional legal counsel to prepare for potential lawsuits. He has also pledged to uphold New York as a "city of immigrants," contrasting Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown.
Mamdani's rise from state assembly to City Hall
Before his mayoral campaign, Mamdani served as a state assemblyman, focusing on affordability in one of America's most expensive cities. His primary victory in June stunned political observers, setting the stage for his general election win.
"The Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago."
Dora Pekec, spokesperson for Zohran Mamdani
