Mamdani Wins Mayoral Election, Meets Trump in Oval Office

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on November 21, 2025, in a cordial and almost affectionate encounter. The meeting came after Mamdani, a Democrat, won the mayoral election in New York City, despite Trump repeatedly labeling him a Communist and questioning his citizenship status during the campaign. According to reports, Trump expressed his support for Mamdani's mayoralship, stating, "I hope you'll have a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am." Mamdani, in turn, praised Trump for his willingness to meet with him, saying he was "grateful" for the opportunity. The meeting was seen as a significant development, given the contentious relationship between Trump and Mamdani during the campaign. Trump had frequently criticized Mamdani's policies and character, while Mamdani had accused Trump of using divisive rhetoric and promoting conspiracy theories. In a recent interview, Astead Herndon, a colleague of Mamdani's and a journalist who has covered Trump, noted that the meeting was not entirely surprising. "Mamdani has always been a pragmatic politician who is willing to work with people across the aisle," Herndon said. "It's not uncommon for politicians to put aside their differences and work together, especially when it comes to issues that affect the city and its residents." Herndon also pointed out that Mamdani's policies, which include increasing funding for affordable housing and improving public transportation, may appeal to some Republicans and independents in New York City. "Mamdani's platform is focused on addressing the needs of working-class New Yorkers, which could potentially win over some moderate Republicans and independents who are looking for a more pragmatic approach to governance," Herndon said. The meeting between Trump and Mamdani has sparked debate about the potential for bipartisan cooperation in New York City. Some analysts believe that Mamdani's willingness to work with Trump could pave the way for future collaborations between Democrats and Republicans on issues such as infrastructure development and economic growth. As for what the meeting means for New York City, Mamdani has stated that he is committed to working with Trump and other stakeholders to address the city's pressing issues. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet with President Trump and discuss the challenges facing our city," Mamdani said. "I'm committed to working with him and other leaders to find solutions that benefit all New Yorkers." The next developments in this story will likely come as Mamdani takes office and begins to implement his policies. Trump, meanwhile, has stated that he will continue to support Mamdani and work with him to address the needs of New York City.