Late on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said that the eagerly anticipated meeting with New York City Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani would take place in Washington later this week, paving the way for an in person confrontation between the two political rivals who have been at odds for months.
The meeting, which Trump announced on social media would take place in the Oval Office on Friday, may signify a sort of detente between the Republican president and the Democratic rising star. Since Mamdani's victory, Trump has shifted toward acceptance of Mamdani's key, winning campaign issue of affordability.
Referring to Mamdani by his full name and enclosing Kwame, the mayor elect's middle name, in quote marks, Trump said on Wednesday night that Mamdani had requested the meeting and promised "Further details to follow!" Mamdani's representatives did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday.
For months, Trump has attacked Mamdani, calling him a "communist" and saying that if the democratic socialist was elected, his city would be destroyed.
In addition, he threatened to withdraw federal funds from the city and deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and obtained U.S. citizenship in 2018.
However, Trump has spoken more about affordability since the November election, which saw Republicans lose badly in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
This topic had been central to Democratic campaigns, including Mamdani's. On Friday, he even declared on social media that the GOP is the "Party of Affordability!" The president and some Republicans maintain that the economy is stronger than it has ever been.
Reporters were informed by Trump on Sunday night that he would meet with Mamdani and that "we'll work something out." Mamdani, who will formally take office in January, stated on Monday that he planned to meet Trump and confirmed that his team had contacted the White House to arrange a potential meeting.
Mamdani, a 34 year old who went from being a little known state legislator for Queens to the incoming mayor of the largest city in the country, stated during his victory speech earlier this month that he wanted New York to demonstrate to the nation how to beat the president. In addition, he has discussed "Trump proofing" New York once he assumes office in January and pledged to collaborate with anyone, including the president, if doing so would benefit New Yorkers.
