Trump, Mamdani meet at White House on affordability
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani arrived at the White House on Friday with President Donald Trump to discuss affordability, which could pose huge risks for both men.
The Oval Office meeting was requested by Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist whose stunning victory over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race has placed her at the center of American politics.
“I will work with everyone to make life more affordable for the more than eight and a half million people who call the city home,” Mamdani said Thursday.
Trump repeatedly accused Mamdani of being a communist; it was a label rejected by the mayor-elect. Before the mayoral election, Trump threatened to cut federal funding for New York City if Mamdani won.
This threat is not off the table yet. “We’ll see how the meeting goes tomorrow,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday when asked if Mamdani had a chance of convincing Trump not to cut off his connection to NYC.
Trump may also need the meeting to go well. President’s approval ratings dropped This quickly emerges in numerous surveys, with respondents consistently citing the high cost of living as their main concern.
Mamdani and other Democrats who won multiple elections this month have focused relentlessly on affordability; It was a word Trump took issue with and insisted prices were already generally low.
