Washington: US President Donald Trump held a special meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House and extended a warm welcome to him, saying he was confident the new mayor could do a great job.
Mamdani travelled to Washington DC on Friday for his first formal meeting with the President. After a long period of bitter exchanges, both leaders adopted a cordial tone during the interaction.
Trump said he enjoyed the meeting. “We have just had a great meeting, a really good very productive meeting. We have one thing in common, we want this city of ours to be the best we can be,” he said. When asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under Mamdani’s administration, Trump replied, “Yes I will especially after this meeting. It was much more than I thought it would be.”
Mamdani also described his meeting with Trump as fruitful and appreciated the time. He said the discussion focused on shared appreciation and cooperation to ensure affordability for New Yorkers.
He noted that 8.5 million people living in the most expensive US city are struggling to make ends meet and pointed out that one in four residents is living in poverty.
“Rent, groceries, utilities, cost of living crisis and housing” were among the major issues discussed, Mamdani said.
Trump confirmed that both leaders agreed on several matters. “They do not want to see any crime. They want to see housing built. He wants to see rents come down all of those things that I agree with,” he said.
