NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani to Call Trump: Relationship ‘Will Be Critical to the Success’ of the City
New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, says he intends to call President Donald Trump before taking office, acknowledging that a working relationship with the White House is essential to the city’s success—even as tensions between the two men simmer.
In an interview with NBC New York’s Melissa Russo, Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, emphasized the importance of cooperation, saying, “It is important that you are open to working with anyone, no matter what disagreements you may have.” He added that his job is to work for the benefit of all 8.5 million New Yorkers and that he would be “proactive” in that mission.
Mamdani said he’s open to engaging with the Trump administration, particularly on issues where there might be common ground, such as lowering the cost of living or addressing grocery prices—two key talking points in Trump’s recent economic push. “If President Trump wants to speak about lowering the cost of living or delivering cheaper groceries like he ran on, I’m there to have that conversation,” Mamdani said.
When asked if he plans to reach out directly, Mamdani confirmed he will be contacting the White House soon. “This is a relationship that will be critical to the success of this city,” he said.
Asked what he would say during that call, Mamdani said he plans to tell the president, “I’m here to work for the benefit of everyone that calls this city their home,” and that “wherever there is a possibility for working together towards that end,” he’s ready.
The statement follows a recent exchange of political barbs between the two. Trump, during an appearance on Fox News with Bret Baier, criticized Mamdani’s fiery victory speech, in which the mayor-elect directly challenged the president to “turn the volume up.”
“It was a very angry speech, certainly angry toward me,” Trump said. “I think he should be very nice to me. You know, I’m the one that sort of has to approve a lot of things coming for him. So, he’s off to a bad start.”
Mamdani, who unseated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a dramatic upset, has promised sweeping changes to city governance. He’s floated controversial ideas like city-run grocery stores, a reimagining of police response to domestic calls, and protections for illegal immigrants—positions that have earned him the backing of the far-left but also raised concerns in Washington.
The mayor-elect has also been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, accusing ICE of violating civil liberties and calling the administration’s actions a “war on the First Amendment.”
Following Mamdani’s win, President Trump warned that the country is “facing a decision between communism and common sense,” adding, “As long as I’m in office, we are not going communist in any way, shape, or form.”
As the two prepare to enter a tense working relationship, the political divide between them is clear—but so is the necessity of cooperation. Whether they can navigate those differences remains to be seen.