US President Donald Trump said he will meet New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Washington on Friday. He announced the plan on TruthSocial after months of tension with the incoming mayor.
Trump had threatened to cut federal funding to New York if Mamdani won.Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo on 4 November. He won with at least 50 percent of the vote. The landslide ended a bitter race. Cuomo, more than twice Mamdani’s age and a longtime political figure, failed to regain office.
Trump backed Cuomo even though Cuomo ran as an Independent. The two shared several billionaire donors. Trump grew up in Queens and built his career in the city.
Trump said, “Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani, has asked for a meeting,” Trump wrote. “We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!”
Mamdani spoke outside City Hall on Thursday. He said he will stick to his signature pledge on affordability.
“I will work with anyone to make life more affordable for the more than eight and a half million people who call the city home.”
.He acknowledged his differences with Trump. “I have many disagreements with the president, and I believe that we should be relentless and pursue all avenues and all meetings that could make our city affordable for every single New Yorker.”
In an interview with Chris Hayes on MS Now, Mandani said, “We did reached out to White House. I’ll be willing to meet with anyone and everyone so long as it is to the benefit of 8.5 million people New Yorkers, who struggle to afford the most expensive city of America.