Mamdani, who will take office on the first day of office in 2026, made it clear on Thursday that he would negotiate with the president to advance his plan for the biggest US city’s affordability.
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The democratic socialist emphasized that both Trump and him had campaigns focused on the rising cost of living.
Mamdani told reporters, “Everything comes back to making the case for an affordability agenda.”
I’m willing to meet with anyone. As long as it has the potential to advance a New Yorker’s economic agenda, I’ll speak to everyone. And that’s where I’ll always make my case.
Republican nominee Donald Trump has consistently criticized Mamdani, who frequently uses the term “communist” in his attacks. The White House even went so far as to say that it would think about deposing the mayor-elect from his US citizenship.
If Mamdani is elected, the president also threatened to withhold funding for New York and send federal troops there.
Trump’s supporters have used anti-Muslim language against the Muslim mayor-elect in similar ways to his criticisms.
For instance, Representative Elise Stefanik falsely claimed that the mayor-elect will pass Islamic law in New York while Rep. Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist with close ties to the White House, called Mamdani a “jihadist.”
Trump, however, appeared to soften his stance after Mamdani’s victory this month, telling Fox News that he wants to “make the city succeed.”
Trump made the announcement on Twitter late on Wednesday that he would host Mamdani at the White House, but not without criticizing the mayor-elect’s politics and middle name.
Zohran ‘Knight ‘Mamdani, the communist mayor of New York City, has requested a meeting, Trump wrote.
The Oval Office will host this meeting on Friday, November 21. “We’ve come to an agreement.”
Trump has allegedly attacked and belittled guests at the White House, including South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to critics.
For instance, Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” and “disrespecting” the US as the media rolled during a White House visit in February.
Mamdani responded to a question on Thursday asking what he would do if the Oval Office gave him the Zelenskyy treatment. “I’ll stand up for New Yorkers every day.
The mayor-elect added that he views the meeting as an opportunity to speak with the president directly.
Before launching his mayoral campaign in late last year, Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York State lawmaker, had little recognition.
However, he quickly rose in the polls with a message that aimed to lower the cost of living in the days leading up to the Democratic primary. Additionally, he has vehemently backed Palestinian human rights.
In the end, Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo twice: once in the November election and once more to win the Democratic nomination. Trump had Cuomo’s backing as an independent in the final election.
Mamdani will take the oath of office on January 1 as New York City’s 111th mayor.
Source: Aljazeera
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