President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that he plans to meet New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, saying they will “work something out.” The announcement could signal a detente between the Republican president and the Democratic newcomer, who have long positioned themselves as political opponents.
For months, Trump criticized Mamdani, wrongly calling him a “communist” and warning that New York would suffer if the democratic socialist took office. He also threatened deportation and to withhold federal funding from the city.
Mamdani, 34, rose from relative obscurity as a state lawmaker to become a social media star and a symbol of resistance against Trump during his mayoral campaign. Running on progressive policies and opposing Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, he appealed to a wide spectrum of New Yorkers. Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly nine percentage points.
On election night, Mamdani said he wanted New York to demonstrate how to challenge the president. The next day, he spoke of “Trump-proofing” the city but emphasized a willingness to collaborate with anyone, including Trump, if it benefits residents.
Mamdani’s team did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks Sunday. A spokesperson previously noted that the mayor-elect planned to reach out to the White House, describing the relationship as “critical to the success of the city.”
Trump echoed this sentiment during remarks in Florida. “The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us. We’ll work something out,” he told reporters while preparing to return to Washington. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump was referring to Mamdani, and no meeting date had been set.
“We want to see everything work out well for New York,” Trump added.
The potential meeting comes amid a broader agenda for Trump, who also mentioned possible talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following a military buildup near the South American nation. “I’ll talk to anybody,” Trump said, highlighting his willingness to engage with both domestic and international leaders.
The meeting, if it occurs, could mark a rare moment of collaboration between Trump and a rising Democratic political figure. It may also set the tone for interactions between the federal government and New York City under Mamdani’s leadership, balancing the city’s progressive agenda with practical cooperation at the national level.
