US President Donald Trump and New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Nov. 22, 2025. (Getty Images)
Trump vows 'we are going to be helping' Zohran Mamdani
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US President Donald Trump met with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday at the White House, pledging to work together to improve the lives of city residents. Mamdani, the city’s first Democratic socialist mayor, described the meeting as “very productive.”
“We're going to be helping him to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” Trump said after the session. Mamdani echoed the sentiment, noting their “shared love” for the city and his eagerness to work with the president on affordability issues.
Focus on Affordability
Mamdani emphasized that his focus is on practical work rather than political debates. Asked about the House of Representatives voting to denounce the "horrors of socialism," he said he was unconcerned: "I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable."
The mayor-elect also highlighted how discussions with Trump voters shaped his campaign approach: “I spoke to many New Yorkers who voted for Trump for affordability reasons and am looking to address those concerns. I’m looking forward to working with the president on that issue specifically.”
Shared Goals on Global and Local Issues
The two leaders also discussed broader concerns, including Middle East peace. Trump said Hezbollah “has been a problem in Lebanon,” and noted agreement with Mamdani: “We want to see peace in the Middle East.”
Mamdani added, “When I spoke to voters who backed Trump in the 2024 election, one thing they mentioned was an end to forever wars… and they wanted to address the cost of living crisis. And I appreciated the chance to discuss both of those two things.”
Past Tensions Set Aside
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Despite their past clashes, including Mamdani previously calling Trump a “despot” who “betrayed the country” and promotes a “fascist agenda,” both leaders kept the conversation focused on shared objectives.
Mamdani said, “Our discussion today focused not on our political disagreements, but on our 'shared purpose' of serving New Yorkers.”
Trump responded: "I've been called much worse than a despot. So it's not that insulting."
During a question about Mamdani’s previous comment calling the president a fascist, Mamdani confirmed:
Reporter: “Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?”
Mamdani: “ I've spoken about--”
Trump: “That's okay, you can just say yes.”
Mamdani: “Okay. Yes.”
Trump: “That's easier. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind.”
On criticisms exchanged during the mayoral race, Trump acknowledged, “He's got views that are little out there… we all change. He'll surprise some conservative people.”
Positive Outlook
Trump expressed confidence in Mamdani’s upcoming term, saying, “Anything I do is going to be good for New York,” and praised him as a “great mayor” in the making.
Mamdani reiterated his commitment to addressing affordability and delivering tangible results for New Yorkers.
