On Friday, President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met in the Oval Office to discuss crucial topics surrounding affordability and public safety in New York City. Despite a history of exchanging barbs over the past few months, the meeting appeared cordial with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of the city. “I just want to congratulate you. I think you’re going to have hopefully a really great mayor, and the better he does, the happier I am,” Trump remarked, emphasizing his support for Mamdani’s leadership.
During their approximately 25-minute closed-door meeting, both Trump and Mamdani highlighted their shared admiration for New York City and their mutual commitment to improving the lives of its 8.5 million residents. “It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers,” Mamdani stated. Their friendly demeanor during the subsequent news conference starkly contrasted with the months of harsh rhetoric that preceded the meeting.
Despite their previous exchanges, which included Trump labeling Mamdani a “communist” and Mamdani branding Trump a “despot,” both leaders appeared to have moved past their differences. When a reporter inquired whether Mamdani still held his previous view of Trump, the President interjected humorously, “That’s OK, you can just say, ‘Yes,’” while patting Mamdani on the back, encouraging a lighter atmosphere.
The discussion also touched on pressing issues such as crime and immigration enforcement. Mamdani expressed that New Yorkers are concerned about both public safety and the impact of immigration policies on their communities. “We discussed ICE and New York City, and I spoke about how the laws that we have in New York City,” he explained, highlighting the complexities surrounding global migration and local law enforcement. Trump acknowledged these concerns, stating, “He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down. All the things that I agree with.”
Both leaders spoke positively about potential collaborations moving forward. Trump expressed confidence in Mamdani’s ability to lead effectively, stating, “I think this mayor could do some things that are going to be really great.” He even went so far as to assert that he would feel comfortable living in New York City, citing the need for collaborative efforts to address the city's challenges.
While Mamdani’s progressive proposals, which include initiatives like free city buses, free child care, and a freeze on rent for rent-stabilized units, face skepticism from critics, he is determined to engage in meaningful dialogue about these issues. The mayor-elect referenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal as a model for transformative government action and expressed gratitude for the historical portrait of FDR that Trump showed him during their discussion. “It can be transformative,” Mamdani asserted, emphasizing the potential of federal and city collaboration.
As they concluded their meeting, both Trump and Mamdani acknowledged that while they may disagree on various topics, their focus remains on the betterment of New York City. “There will be topics that we disagree on. I think we’ll probably come to a conclusion, and ultimately, he’ll convince me or I’ll convince him,” Trump stated, underlining the importance of cooperation for the good of the city. “Ultimately, it’s for the good of New York. I want to see if this city could be unbelievable,” he added, conveying his hope for a successful partnership with the incoming mayor.