Recently US President Trump threatened to arrest New York Mayor-elect Mamdani and cut the city’s finances. However, at the first meeting there was demonstrative unity. Only Trump’s actions can prove that.
He did not allow his guests to have their own seats. Friday afternoon at the White House: Donald Trump greets journalists in a good mood in the Oval Office. Seemingly relaxed, the president leaned back in his leather chair and tapped his hand on the table. Standing next to him, New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani folded his arms and smiled sadly.
This was the first meeting between the “self-proclaimed socialist” Mamdani and people he recently described as “fascists”. According to both, this highly anticipated meeting was constructive and open. “The media is up in arms,” Trump teased. “I have received heads of state here, but no one is interested. Now there is a line of journalists outside.”
He then praised Mamdani: The 34-year-old is “a very rational person” and can achieve great achievements as mayor. “We agree on more than I thought.” Mamdani is also clearly trying to keep the peace: “There are differences of opinion between us – lots of them. But we haven’t focused on that.” Mamdani repeatedly said that he was grateful and really appreciated the conversation.
There were notes from both sides that were surprising. During Mamdani’s campaign to become mayor of America’s largest city, Trump called her a “communist,” questioned her citizenship and threatened to arrest her. He also sets expectations before the meeting. “New York’s Communist Mayor Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani has requested a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place on Friday, November 21 in the Oval Office. More details to come!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social page.
What became clear: Despite the demonstrative unity, the president’s aim in the meeting was also to send a signal: he was the boss in the DPR who gave Mamdani the opportunity to meet. It is perhaps no coincidence, therefore, that Trump had a resolution condemning the “horrors of socialism” passed in the House of Representatives on Friday, hours before the clash.
Trump recently made the mayor-elect’s expectations clear in an interview with his regular channel Fox News: “Mamdani has to show a little respect for Washington,” Trump said. “Because if he doesn’t do that, he doesn’t have a chance. And I want him to be successful, I want this city to be successful – we’ll see what happens.”
Trump threatens to cut funding flows from New York
Because even though Mamdani doesn’t want to admit it to herself: she needs Trump — whether she wants him or not. Not only has the president threatened to arrest him, but a few weeks ago he said he might withhold federal funding for important planning and construction projects or send the National Guard to New York if Mamdani is elected mayor. Mamdani relies on money from the federal budget for education, social security, road construction and other projects in New York’s sometimes poor infrastructure.
And it’s not just finances that are the subject of debate. Especially in terms of migration policies, these two countries are very different. Review: During an election campaign appearance at a labor union in New York in October, accompanied by WELT, Mamdani presented himself as a kind of “anti-Trump” who would ensure that his city remained a safe place for migrants and refugees. “I will protect this city from Donald Trump,” the candidate shouted to union members to thunderous applause.
A declaration of war like this did not go unnoticed by the White House. Trump’s border commissioner, Tom Homan, recently announced that federal agents would soon be deployed in New York as part of the administration’s comprehensive deportation campaign in major cities. About 3.2 million New Yorkers – more than a third of the population – were born abroad. So does Mamdani, who is a US citizen and grew up mostly in New York, but is originally from Uganda and India. Responding to Homan’s announcement, the devout Muslim reiterated that New York is a “city of immigrants” and instructed police chief Jessica Tisch not to support operations by immigration authority ICE.
In the Oval Office on Friday, these differences barely mattered, even when journalists specifically asked about them. Trump dismissed his follow-up with platitudes: “We both want safe passage in New York.” Mamdani, on the other hand, has almost no say in the matter – which is probably fine with him.
Something to note: Democrats, who usually like to talk briefly on camera, moderated most of the questions in monosyllables. Instead of discussing Middle Eastern conflicts or migration issues, he turned his attention to local politics in New York. He obviously underwent extensive media training before the meeting to avoid an impending scandal on camera at all costs.
Trump, meanwhile, clearly enjoyed the press conference which lasted more than half an hour. “One or two more questions,” he called out at one point – only to then call in more reporters. At times he interrupted Mamdani, for example when asked about the possible arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – whom Mamdani clearly supports. “He can change,” Trump assured. “I have also changed some views since my first term.”
In fact, Mamdani and Trump, who is 45 years her senior, have more in common than one might think. One is a left-wing populist and the other is a right-wing populist, both of whom put one issue forward in their election campaigns and thus gained important points: inflation in the US. Prices have risen sharply in recent years, but wages have not. Deep in the middle class, life runs solely on credit and high levels of debt.
From “day one” his administration will fight “Biden inflation”, campaigning in the 2024 election campaign and promising: “Prices will fall quickly”. Regarding energy, he even promised that prices would fall by half within a year. After one year in office, the opposite happened: many goods became more expensive due to the government’s strict customs policies.
Mamdani, on the other hand, continued to present himself as a “man of the people” even after his election victory. The day before the flight to Washington – Mamdani posted a selfie from economy class – the photo was taken at a community center in the Bronx, where she was helping distribute food to those in need. Trump, on the other hand, has struggled to take his campaign promises seriously. If he announces an end to “Biden inflation” and promises price cuts, inflation will reach three percent. Food, services and rental prices have continued to rise since he took office nearly a year ago.
Therefore, the pressure on Trump is increasing. It was clear that he was impressed by Mamdani’s election campaign which focused on this issue. “We will work together on pricing,” the president announced in the Oval Office. And further: “Some of his ideas are the same as mine.”
Mamdani passed the political test – and paid a heavy price
So much demonstrative unity that it causes surprise. Only at one point does the on-camera encounter threaten to escalate. “You’ve called the president a fascist in the past. Can you say that again?” asked a reporter. “I’ve been discussing topics that…” Mamdani began and was then interrupted by a grinning Trump. “It’s OK, you could say that,” the president said, patting his guest on the arm. “It’s easier than explaining yourself here,” he said, laughing, and called the next reporter, while Mamdani, visibly relieved, stammered, “OK, OK” – and followed up with a terse “Yes” in response to the question.
But not long after, there was a firm handshake between the two men, who a few days ago were considered bitter rivals. Zohran Mamdani may be helping his city. If good relations with the president continue to be maintained, there will be no threat of financial disaster for now.
However, the self-proclaimed socialist did offend his left-wing voter base, which Trump despises. Even before he took office, he had credibility problems – but he has passed the first political test.
