US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met at the White House on Friday, marking their first face-to-face discussion since Mamdani's election victory in November. The meeting was described as "productive" by both parties, with Trump praising Mamdani for his success in the mayoral race, which focused heavily on affordability and cost-of-living issues.
Contrary to past criticism from Trump, who once labelled Mamdani a "jihadist", the President acknowledged that their shared love for New York City served as a common ground. Mamdani's campaign had centered around addressing rent, utilities, and groceries costs, which resonated with voters in the city.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has long been at odds with Trump's nativist stance on immigration. However, he expressed hope to work together despite their differences, stating that finding common ground was crucial for tackling pressing issues such as US involvement in foreign conflicts and reducing the cost of living.
Trump acknowledged Mamdani's commitment to addressing affordability crises, noting that a significant portion of New Yorkers are currently living below poverty levels. Trump's recent shift on highlighting Mamdani's stance on cost-of-living issues suggests a growing concern among voters about economic conditions.
In a remarkable turn of events, Trump seemed to soften his stance towards Mamdani, even going so far as to praise the mayoral-elect's ability to appeal to some of his own supporters. This marks a shift in Trump's rhetoric, as he has increasingly highlighted common ground with Mamdani and other progressive voices on issues such as affordability and foreign policy.
Contrary to past criticism from Trump, who once labelled Mamdani a "jihadist", the President acknowledged that their shared love for New York City served as a common ground. Mamdani's campaign had centered around addressing rent, utilities, and groceries costs, which resonated with voters in the city.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has long been at odds with Trump's nativist stance on immigration. However, he expressed hope to work together despite their differences, stating that finding common ground was crucial for tackling pressing issues such as US involvement in foreign conflicts and reducing the cost of living.
Trump acknowledged Mamdani's commitment to addressing affordability crises, noting that a significant portion of New Yorkers are currently living below poverty levels. Trump's recent shift on highlighting Mamdani's stance on cost-of-living issues suggests a growing concern among voters about economic conditions.
In a remarkable turn of events, Trump seemed to soften his stance towards Mamdani, even going so far as to praise the mayoral-elect's ability to appeal to some of his own supporters. This marks a shift in Trump's rhetoric, as he has increasingly highlighted common ground with Mamdani and other progressive voices on issues such as affordability and foreign policy.