Trump, Mamdani have friendly Oval Office meeting
President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani held a press conference in the Oval Office after the two met ahead of Mamdani’s term. Despite trading political attacks during the campaign, the two had a warm meeting.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump have met face-to-face twice before.
The meetings have been unexpectedly cordial.
Trump has referred to Mamdani as “my little communist” and has tried to use the mayor — a democratic socialist — as a foil, linking his politics to Democrats across the country. During his campaign, Mamdani said he would “become Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
Despite the negative rhetoric, the president said he was “very comfortable” with the mayor running New York City following their first Oval Office meeting.
In his meetings with Trump, Mamdani has also taken a more diplomatic approach, saying his primary focus is New York City’s needs.
Here’s what the two have discussed previously:
November 21, 2025: The first time Trump met with Mamdani at the White House shortly after he was elected as mayor. During the hour-long meeting, Mamdani told CNN that immigration was a key topic of discussion. Both also talked about real estate, debated complicated zoning code, and mulled over how to get a utility giant to bring down electricity rates.
Trump also offered warm remarks about Mamdani during their first meeting.
Among Trump’s comments:
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“I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
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“Some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have.”
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“I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great.”
February 2026: In their second meeting, earlier this year, Mamdani walked into the Oval Office with a major New York City housing pitch.
The two leaders ended their meeting by agreeing on at least one thing: “Let’s build stuff together.”
Mamdani also brought up ICE detaining Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, and he provided Trump and chief of staff Susie Wiles with a list of other students whose cases he wanted them to also consider dismissing.
Trump phoned Mamdani shortly after he left the White House to inform him Aghayeva had been released.
Today’s meeting will also likely focus on New York City. Mamdani has said when he speaks to the president, it’s always focused on the needs of the city.
The mayor’s staffers declined to say exactly what Trump and Mamdani will discuss, but the president’s immigration agenda has been a consistent pressure point. Mamdani recently announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its expansion of a rule that would make it harder for some immigrants to get green cards.
CNN’s Gloria Pazmino, Maria Sole Campinoti and Aaron Blake contributed to this report.
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