After a campaign marked by heated debates between the two figures, Donald Trump this Friday in Washington will receive the new Democratic mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani, who has been one of his main opponents. The 34-year-old elected official stated that he was “ready whatever happens” for this first meeting with the American president, who did not hesitate to abuse some of the guests received in the Oval Office in front of the press.
“It says a lot” about the Democratic election results, “that a communist is going to the White House,” presidential press secretary Karoline Leavitt said ahead of the meeting. “It also shows that President Trump is willing to meet and talk to everyone.”
Self-proclaimed socialist and migrant advocate Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda to an Indian family, represents strong opposition to Donald Trump. He ran his entire campaign on the theme of the cost of living, which has become especially high in the largest cities in the United States, and accused the president of primarily defending the wealthiest Americans while he himself was elected on promises related to purchasing power.
Before the vote, Donald Trump was initially inclined to support Eric Adams, the current mayor who has become a pariah among Democrats, then he ultimately supported Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of the state, to block Mamdani. On November 4, Zohran Mamdani won with over 50% of the vote, with a record turnout of over 2 million voters, unprecedented since 1969.
“I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any program that benefits New Yorkers. If a program harms New Yorkers, I will also be the first to say so,” the Democrat-elect said, asserting his readiness to “explore all avenues” that could “make our city more affordable.”
A trap for Mamdani?
For the new mayor, the meeting is not without risks, according to Lincoln Mitchell, a political scientist at Columbia University. He did not rule out a trap like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did: “We could see (Vice President JD) Vance coming to disrupt it,” he said. The leader, who takes office on Jan. 1, wanted to minimize the problem, speaking of “normal” meetings between mayors and the president, who sent the National Guard to several Democratic cities.
But basically he also needs a president. “For Mamdani, much of what he wants to do in New York will also depend on actions taken at the federal level,” on security and especially the economy, estimated Garret Martin, a professor of international relations at American University. After the campaign attacks, there seems to be a certain looseness between the two men, the president even assured a few days ago that he wants “everything to go well in New York”.
While waiting for the inauguration, Zohran Mamdani also tried to calm his critics. Widely criticized for his lack of experience – his only credential was as a district elected official in the New York State Assembly – he surrounded himself with heavyweights.
And after choosing as its right-hand candidate a senior official alongside a 74-year-old veteran of local politics, Dean Fuleihan, Democrats on Wednesday reappointed Jessica Tisch as the city’s police chief, a professional with a tough profile, credited with reducing crime in New York.
“While he has not abandoned his political goals, the fact that Zohran Mamdani has retained certain senior officials from the government (whom he has sharply criticized), seems to suggest that his revolution will have protection,” judges Grant Reeher, a politics professor at Syracuse University.
