President Trump will host New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at Oval Office meeting despite previously calling him a “communist” and mispronouncing his name
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced he will meet with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday despite fierce campaign attacks.
Trump repeated his false claim that Mamdani is a “communist” in a Truth Social post confirming the Oval Office meeting for November 21.
Mamdani’s spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed the upcoming Washington meeting in a statement Wednesday.
“The Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for,” Pekec said.
The meeting brings together two Queens natives with vastly different political philosophies.
Trump frequently highlights Wall Street gains while Mamdani focuses on affordability crises affecting New York’s eight million residents.
Mamdani became the first mayoral candidate since 1969 to surpass one million votes with promises of affordable housing, childcare, free bus rides and city-run grocery stores.
Experts have questioned whether Mamdani can deliver his ambitious platform.
Trump previously derided Mamdani’s South Asian name and threatened to cut federal funding after the Muslim politician’s election.
“Mandami, whatever the hell his name is,” Trump said recently, deliberately mispronouncing the Uganda-born politician’s surname.
Mamdani responded defiantly during his victory rally earlier this month.
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you — turn the volume up!” he told cheering supporters.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed Trump had watched Mamdani’s speech. – AFP
