In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he intends to meet with New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. This meeting could signify an unexpected rapprochement between the Republican leader and the rising Democratic figure, who have often positioned themselves as political adversaries throughout the election cycle.

President Trump has not shied away from expressing his disdain for Mamdani, branding him a “communist” and forecasting the downfall of New York if Mamdani, a democratic socialist, were to come into power. He has gone so far as to threaten deportation of the mayor-elect, who emigrated from Uganda and became a naturalized U.S. citizen, along with cuts to federal funding for the city.

In contrast, Mamdani’s campaign saw a meteoric rise from being an obscure state lawmaker to becoming a significant voice against Trump during his run for mayor. He effectively leveraged social media and focused on progressive policies, appealing to a diverse electorate in New York City. His victory over the seasoned political figure, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, came by nearly nine percentage points, solidifying his status as a key figure in the Democratic Party.

During his victory speech on election night, Mamdani expressed a desire for New York to lead the charge in overcoming Trump’s influence. However, he also emphasized a willingness to collaborate with anyone, including the president, if it would benefit the citizens of New York upon taking office in January.

The mayor-elect’s office has yet to issue an immediate statement regarding Trump’s intentions, but a spokesperson highlighted Mamdani's previous commitment to reaching out to the White House, emphasizing the need for a constructive relationship between the city and federal government for the city’s success.

Trump reiterated this notion as he prepared to return to Washington after a weekend in Florida, stating, “The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us. We’ll work something out.” His remarks were soon clarified by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirming that he was indeed referring to Mamdani and that a specific meeting date has not yet been established.

Trump’s comments on this potential meeting coincided with his indication that discussions could soon take place with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that mirrors his self-proclaimed openness to engage in dialogue with any leader.