Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet New York City’s mayor‑elect, Zohran Mamdani, in Washington this week, setting the stage for a rare encounter between two figures who have spent months trading barbs across the political divide. The meeting, scheduled for Friday in the Oval Office, could mark the beginning of a tentative thaw between the Republican president and the Democratic socialist who has rapidly risen to prominence.
Trump announced the sit‑down on social media late on Wednesday, referring to Mamdani by his full name and placing the mayor‑elect’s middle name, Kwame, in quotation marks. He claimed Mamdani had requested the meeting and promised “further details to follow”. The president’s post immediately drew attention, given his history of sharp criticism of Mamdani, whom he has repeatedly attacked during the campaign season.
A spokesperson for Mamdani, Dora Pekec, said the mayor‑elect considered the meeting “customary” for an incoming New York City leader. She added that Mamdani intended to raise issues of “public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago”. The agenda reflects the priorities that propelled Mamdani to victory earlier this month, when he defeated his rivals with a campaign focused on housing, cost of living, and economic fairness.
Trump’s relationship with Mamdani has been marked by hostility. For months, the president labelled him a “communist” and warned that his election would spell disaster for New York. He went further by threatening to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalised American citizen in 2018, and to withdraw federal funding from the city. These attacks formed part of Trump’s broader strategy of portraying Democratic candidates as dangerous radicals.
Yet the political landscape shifted following the November elections, in which Republicans suffered significant defeats in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York. In the aftermath, Trump has placed greater emphasis on affordability, a theme central to Democratic campaigns across the country. In a recent post, he declared that Republicans were now the “Party of Affordability”, insisting that the economy was stronger than ever. The pivot suggests an attempt to reclaim ground on an issue that resonated with voters and contributed to Republican losses.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump confirmed his intention to meet Mamdani, remarking: “We’ll work something out.” Mamdani responded on Monday, saying he hoped to meet the president and confirming that his team had contacted the White House to arrange the discussion. The mayor‑elect, who will formally take office in January, has signalled a willingness to engage with Trump despite their differences, provided it benefits New Yorkers.
Mamdani’s rise has been swift. At 34, he has moved from relative obscurity as a state legislator representing Queens to becoming mayor‑elect of the nation’s largest city. His victory speech earlier this month captured the combative tone of his campaign, as he declared that New York should demonstrate to the rest of the country how to defeat the president. He has also spoken of “Trump‑proofing” the city once in office, a phrase that reflects his determination to shield New York from federal interference while pursuing progressive policies.
Nevertheless, Mamdani has emphasised that he is prepared to work with anyone, including Trump, if it serves the interests of his constituents. His forthcoming meeting with the president will test that commitment, as the two men confront their ideological differences in person for the first time. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the encounter produces genuine cooperation or simply reinforces the divisions that have defined their relationship thus far.
