WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (HRNW) – US President Donald Trump has announced that he will hold a meeting with New York’s newly elected Mayor, Zahran Mamdani, at the White House on Friday. The meeting comes despite Trump’s repeated criticism of Mamdani during the election campaign, where he labeled him a “communist” and mocked his South Asian name.
Mamdani’s spokeswoman, Dora Peck, confirmed the meeting and said the mayor-elect will attend in accordance with tradition. She added that he will present his agenda focused on public safety, economic stability, and affordable services—priorities supported by more than one million New Yorkers.
Both Trump and Mamdani grew up in Queens, but their political ideologies differ sharply. While Trump boasts Wall Street growth as a major achievement of his presidency, Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, advocating for public welfare initiatives such as affordable housing, childcare, free bus services, and government-run grocery stores.
During the campaign, Trump mocked Mamdani’s name—calling him “Mandami or whatever”—and even threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani won. After his victory, Mamdani responded confidently in his speech, saying, “I know you’re watching, so turn up your voice a little.”
Trump’s spokesperson later confirmed that the president had indeed watched Mamdani’s speech live.
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