New York’s mayor-elect said he is “willing to meet with anyone” to advance affordability policies in the nation’s largest city.
New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani said he is “not concerned” about a potential conflict with President Donald Trump when he meets with the president at the White House on Friday.
Mamdani, who is scheduled to take office on the first day of 2026, stressed on Thursday that he would negotiate with the president to advance affordability policies in America’s largest city.
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The democratic socialist stressed that both he and Trump ran campaigns focused on the cost of living crisis.
“That’s why it all comes back to advocating for affordable policies,” Mamdani told reporters.
“I’m going to meet with anyone. I’m going to talk to anyone as long as it has the potential to benefit New Yorkers’ economic policy. And that’s what I always advocate.”
Republican Trump has been a vocal critic of Mamdani, often mistakenly calling him a “communist.” The White House has gone so far as to suggest that it would consider stripping the next mayor of his U.S. citizenship.
The president also threatened to withhold funding from New York and send federal troops to the city if Mamdani was elected.
Many of Trump’s allies echoed his criticisms and used Islamophobic language against the next Muslim mayor.
For example, Rep. Elise Stefanik called Mamdani a “jihadist,” and Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist with close ties to the White House, falsely claimed that the next mayor would enforce Islamic law in New York.
But after Mamdani won this month’s election, Trump appeared to soften his stance, telling Fox News: “I want the city to succeed.”
Late Wednesday, President Trump announced on social media that he would welcome Mamdani to the White House, but couldn’t help but criticize the mayor-elect’s politics and middle name.
“New York City’s Communist Mayor Zoran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani has requested a meeting,” Trump wrote.
“We have agreed that this meeting will be held in the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st.”
Critics claim Trump has used his bullish White House pulpit to ambush and belittle guests such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa.
For example, during a visit to the White House in February, President Trump accused Zelensky of “betting on World War III” and “disrespecting” the United States, with media cameras rolling.
Asked Thursday what he would do if he were to be treated by Zelensky in the Oval Office, Mamdani said: “I stand up for New Yorkers every day.”
The mayor-elect also said he sees the meeting as an opportunity to make a personal case to the president.
Mamdani, 34, a member of the New York State Assembly, had minimal name recognition before starting his mayoral campaign late last year.
But heading into the Democratic primary, he quickly rose in the polls with a message focused on lowering the cost of living. He has also been a vocal supporter of Palestinian human rights.
In the end Mamdani He defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo twice, winning the Democratic nomination in June and winning the election in November. Mr. Cuomo, who ran as an independent on the final ballot, had the support of Mr. Trump.
On January 1, Mamdani will be sworn in as the 111th mayor of New York.
The next mayor’s ambitious agenda includes promises of free bus travel and child care, as well as expanded social housing and a rent freeze on government-subsidized properties.
