Trump open to meeting Zohran Mamdani after heated exchange following New York mayoral polls—here's why

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) indicated his plans to meet Zohran Mamdani following a heated exchange after New York mayoral polls, signaling a potential easing of tensions between the Republican President and the Democratic rising star, who have positioned themselves as political rivals.

However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt cleared that no date has been decided for such a meeting.

Why is Trump open to meeting Mamdani after New York Mayor election?

According to AP, in a conversation with reporters as he was ready to go back to Washington after spending the weekend in Florida, he asserted, “The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us. We’ll work something out.” He added, “We want to see everything work out well for New York.”

Trump-Mamdani's heated exchange

Trump has spent months attacking Mamdani, wrongly calling him a “communist” and warning that New York would be ruined if the democratic socialist were elected, the report noted. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and later became a naturalized American citizen, and to withhold federal funding from the city.

The 34-year-old Mamdani, who rose from being a relatively unknown state lawmaker, became a social media sensation and a symbol of resistance against Trump during his mayoral run. He promoted a range of progressive policies and delivered a message sharply opposed to the aggressive, anti-immigrant agenda that Trump has pursued in his second term.

He won support from a wide range of New Yorkers, defeating one of the city’s political heavyweights, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, by nearly 9 percentage points.

In his election night victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted New York to demonstrate to the country how to defeat the president. The following day, while discussing his plans to Trump-proof New York once he assumes office in January, the incoming mayor also stated he was willing to collaborate with anyone, including the president, if it benefits New Yorkers.

Mamdani’s representatives did not immediately respond Sunday night to the president’s comments, but a spokesperson referred to the mayor-elect’s remarks from last week, when he said he intended to reach out to the White House “because this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of the city".

Meanwhile, while speaking on Mamdani's win speech, as per ANI, Trump described it as a "very angry" address and said the mayor-elect is off to a poor start. "Yeah, I thought it was a very angry speech, certainly angry toward me, and I think he should be very nice to me. You know, I'm the one who sort of has to approve a lot of things coming to him. So he's off to a bad start."

In response, Mamdani spoke directly to the city and outlined his policies, emphasising that New York will be led by immigrants and signaling the end of a “political dynasty”. "After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him. And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power," he said.

He continued, "This is not only how we stop Trump; it's how we stop the next one. So, Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."