President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he will meet New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday, confirming the first face-to-face encounter between the two political adversaries. Trump wrote that Mamdani had requested the sit-down and referred to him as “Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani.” He noted the meeting would take place in the Oval Office and indicated additional information would be released.
The meeting follows months of tension between the Republican president and the 34-year-old democratic socialist, by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in both the primary and general elections. Trump previously threatened to withhold federal funding if Mamdani won and at one point warned he would consider deporting him despite the Ugandan mayor-elect’s naturalized U.S. citizenship. In recent days, however, Trump has increasingly focused on affordability issues that were central to Mamdani’s campaign, telling reporters he expected the two leaders would “work something out.”
Mamdani’s transition team confirmed that his office had reached out to arrange the meeting, emphasizing that incoming New York mayors customarily meet with the president.
The visit to Washington comes as city and state officials prepare for possible federal enforcement actions once Mamdani takes office in January. His victory-night taunting remark directed at Trump — “I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up” — prompted immediate reaction and heightened concerns about retaliation. Mamdani has since met with Governor Kathy Hochul to examine strategies for responding to potential deployments of the National Guard or expanded immigration operations by federal agencies. State and city departments have been reviewing contingency plans informed by past federal interventions in other major cities.
Whether Friday’s meeting will ease the friction or escalate the standoff remains uncertain as New York anticipates a new political chapter.
