Trump touts New York support after Zohran Mamdani links vote to cost-of-living

President Donald Trump met New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to discuss affordability, public safety, and urban challenges in NYC
President Donald Trump met with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on November 21, 2025, and discussed affordability and public safety (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump met with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on November 21, 2025, and discussed affordability and public safety (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani praised President Donald Trump on Friday, November 21, saying that New Yorkers voted for Trump in the recent election due to the rising cost of living.

The two met for the first time at the Oval Office, discussing affordability, public safety challenges, and other issues affecting the city. Despite differing political ideologies and months of public sparring, both leaders emphasized shared priorities.

Zohran Mamdani says NYC 'loves a future that is affordable'

While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, a journalist asked Mamdani, "Does New York City love President Trump?"

"New York City loves a future that is affordable, and I can tell you that more New Yorkers voted for President Trump in the most recent election because of that focus on cost-of-living. I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability," Mamdani said.

Trump responded, "I got a lot of votes." He added that he was "surprised" by the common ground he found with Mamdani, particularly on urban issues. 

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on November 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two political opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump shook hands with Zohran Mamdani during their meeting at the White House in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"We had a meeting today that actually surprised me. He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down. All things I agree with," Trump said.

He noted that while their approaches may differ, their goals were aligned.

"One of the things I really gleaned today — he’d like to see rents come down ideally by building a lot of additional housing. He agrees with that and so do I," Trump said. 

Trump also addressed media narratives about hostility between the two, emphasizing that his focus is on New York City's welfare rather than politics.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 21: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) in the Oval Office of the White House on November 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two political opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump congratulated Zohran Mamdani on his election win as they discussed affordability and public safety (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"If I read the newspapers and the stories, I don’t hear that. But I heard him say it today, and I think that’s a very positive step. I expect to be helping him, not hurting him. I want New York City to be great. I love New York City. It’s where I come from," Trump said.

Zohran Mamdani shares clip of Donald Trump nodding at working-class concerns

Mamdani shared an 18-second clip from the meeting showing him answering reporters’ questions while Trump nodded. Mamdani highlighted that working people were left behind in city politics during his campaign.



"In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can’t even afford $2.90 for a MetroCard. As I told Trump today, it’s time to put those people back at the heart of our politics," Mamdani said. 

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) in the Oval Office of the White House on November 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two political opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Zohran Mamdani spoke to reporters after meeting President Donald Trump at the White House (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Responding to a Newsmax correspondent asking if Democratic policies had failed the city, Mamdani said, "There are many issues that predate the president. Our campaign aimed to take on a broken politics of the past."

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were watching and cheering as Kyle Kirkwood went on to take the checkered flag
3 hours ago
Melania Trump's father, Viktor Knavs, worked as a car salesman and dealer, making automobiles a natural part of her childhood
4 hours ago
The president said Penske had come to Washington 211 times while trying to get the race off the ground
6 hours ago
Footage recorded on August 18 near 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue went viral, prompting theories about underground work or a possible scam
7 hours ago
Earlier, when a reporter asked about her relationship status, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded that she does not comment on her private life
9 hours ago
Cleared for an emergency landing, Faith Tenkley realized the landing gear was broken, and the plane was still carrying a heavy fuel load
16 hours ago
Trump said the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be 'one of the most unforgettable racing events the world has ever seen'
17 hours ago
Kai Trump made quick picks on UFC, Taco Bell, Mar-a-Lago, Air Force One and aliens while answering Katie Pavlich’s playful questions
19 hours ago
Freedom 250 organized the event for America’s 250th anniversary, bringing together male and female high school athletes from every state and territory
19 hours ago
Roommates said Jessica Bowie wore a niqab and largely kept to herself, often retreating to her bedroom after returning home
1 day ago