Summary
In a surprising turn of political events, President Donald Trump hosted New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House last Friday for a nearly hour-long discussion. Despite months of trading public barbs, the two men reportedly found a \”shared focus\” on the city they both call home.
According to sources familiar with the sit-down, the conversation moved beyond political posturing to practical issues affecting New Yorkers. The Trump Mamdani meeting covered complex topics ranging from real estate development and zoning codes to the challenge of lowering electricity rates. The meeting eventually transitioned into a tour of the West Wing, where the two posed for photos in the Cabinet Room in front of a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Immigration remained a central, albeit tense, point of discussion. Mamdani raised concerns regarding federal enforcement in New York City, specifically the potential for increased deportations. While Trump has previously threatened to send federal reinforcements to the city, he appeared to soften his stance on Saturday, suggesting he would only intervene if the city requested aid. Mamdani emphasized that while he is willing to collaborate with federal agencies within existing \”sanctuary city\” laws, his priority remains public safety.
Despite the cordial atmosphere—Trump noted they \”agree on a lot more than I would’ve thought\”—Mamdani did not walk back his previous criticisms. On Sunday, when pressed by reporters, the Mayor-elect reaffirmed his past characterization of the President as a fascist. However, he stressed that his responsibility to New York City requires him to work with anyone, regardless of deep political disagreements, to ensure the city does not become a \”museum where working people once were.\”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/23/politics/trump-mamdani-meeting-immigration-details-discussion
