Trump Meets with NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani
On November 21, 2025, President Donald Trump and New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani had their first in-person meeting at the White House. It took place in the Oval Office.
During this visit, Trump offered his congratulations to Mamdani for his recent electoral win in New York City. “I’m looking forward to a really great mayor,” Trump commented. He added, “The better the mayor does, the happier I’ll be,” and expressed his intent to support Mamdani in making New York a safe and thriving place.
After their exchange, the two men shook hands, signifying what seemed to be a cooperative start to their relationship.
In a follow-up statement on Twitter, Trump described the meeting as “great” and “very productive,” emphasizing their shared interest in the city’s welfare.
Mamdani expressed gratitude for the meeting and mentioned they discussed affordability, a key issue raised during Trump’s campaign. He touched upon challenges related to rent and living costs, indicating a hope to collaborate with Trump on these matters.
When asked about his prior remarks labeling Mamdani as having communist views, Trump acknowledged that while Mamdani’s ideas may seem out of the ordinary, he believed people’s views can evolve. He reflected on his own shifts in perspective over time.
“He has some slightly out-of-the-box views,” Trump remarked, “but you never know. We’re all going to change.”
Trump conveyed confidence in Mamdani’s potential effectiveness, even suggesting that he might surprise some conservative observers.
In response to a reporter asking about his earlier terming of Trump as a “tyrant,” Mamdani noted that their discussions had centered on shared values. Trump humorously dismissed the comment, indicating he had been subjected to worse names and urged Mamdani to consider collaboration.
“If we can work together, he will change his mind,” Trump insisted.
As the conversation unfolded, questions arose about their differing views on illegal immigration and public safety in New York. Trump reiterated the importance of safety, stating, “If you don’t have safe streets, you’re not going to succeed.”
Interestingly, despite prior disagreements on issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, both leaders mentioned their common goal for peace in the Middle East. Mamdani shared that when he conversed with Trump supporters, a prevalent concern was the desire to end ongoing conflicts.
Their meeting marks a new chapter in their complex relationship, which has seen its fair share of tension, especially during Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, where Trump threatened to cut federal funding to New York.
