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

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. 

"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.

"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. 

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."