On Friday, former President Donald Trump met with mayor-elect Shahid Mamdani, praising him for running an “incredible race” against formidable opponents. During this meeting, Trump expressed a shared enthusiasm for New York City, stating, “We have one thing in common – we want this city of ours that we love to do incredibly well.” His admiration for Mamdani’s election performance was evident, particularly noting how the young mayor-elect “came out of nowhere” to secure his position. Mamdani also highlighted the surprising support he received from Trump’s base, mentioning that “one in 10” of his supporters had previously voted for Trump in the 2024 election.
As discussions continued, Trump, who now resides in Florida, made it clear that he would “absolutely” live in New York City under Mayor Mamdani. “I always feel very, very comfortable being in New York,” he remarked, implying that he felt reassured following their meeting. Trump added that he believes Mamdani has the potential to “surprise some conservative people,” indicating a willingness to bridge political divides for the betterment of the city.
When questioned about comments made by New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who labeled Mamdani as a “jihadist,” Trump dismissed such claims as exaggerated campaign rhetoric. “I met with a man who’s a very rational person,” Trump stated, indicating that he views Mamdani as someone genuinely invested in seeing New York thrive. This sentiment reflects Trump's effort to focus on cooperation rather than partisan attacks.
During the press conference, Mamdani faced tough questions from conservative journalists. However, Trump frequently intervened on his behalf. When asked if Mamdani would retract his past statements calling Trump a “despot” or “authoritarian,” Mamdani tactfully avoided a direct answer, emphasizing the importance of their shared mission to serve New Yorkers. Trump, undeterred, interjected humorously, saying, “I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” suggesting that political rhetoric should not overshadow their potential collaboration.
Mamdani’s electoral victory was a significant achievement for the Democratic party, coinciding with a national focus on the cost-of-living crisis. In light of this, Trump has been refocusing his political agenda to address affordability issues. During their meeting, both leaders agreed that lowering prices is crucial for the residents of New York City. Mamdani’s proposals to “freeze the rent” and provide “fast and free” city buses have resonated with New Yorkers, and he described the meeting with Trump as “productive.”
Mamdani emphasized that their discussions centered around the soaring costs of rent, groceries, and utilities in New York City. “It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City,” he stated, recognizing the challenges faced by the city’s 8.5 million residents. Mamdani expressed his eagerness to work with the Trump administration to address these affordability challenges, marking a shift from his more combative tone on election night.
Trump also showed support for Mamdani's housing initiatives, suggesting that his administration could exert pressure on utility companies like ConEdison to lower rates. “He wants to see a lot of houses created, a lot of apartments built, et cetera,” Trump remarked, reflecting his own background as a former Manhattan developer. He concluded by affirming, “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and we’ll help them do a great job.”