Threats and Pressure
The impulsive president has threatened to cut federal aid to New York and may deploy the National Guard in response to Mamdani's victory. Border coordinator Tom Homan is once again threatening to fill the city's streets with immigration officers and conduct mass deportations. Trump's allies in Congress are insisting on revoking the citizenship of the elected mayor, who was born in Uganda.
"A city or state cannot do without the federal government, and the federal government controls the money. The president will do what he wants. He loves New York, no 'ifs' about it. But he doesn't like that socialists are taking over New York."
– stated John Catsimatidis, a billionaire and oil magnate who often communicates with Trump.
The Stakes Are High
The long-awaited meeting between two diametrically opposed leaders will set the tone for the city's future over the next four years. It has broader implications for Trump, who seeks to control the political fate of Democratic cities while Democrats attempt to reclaim national power.
For Mamdani, whose ultra-left candidacy has deeply divided his party, Trump represents a complicated and likely permanent dilemma. The elected mayor cannot afford for Trump to punish the city or limit its powers over the next four years. However, appeasing the president – or even appearing submissive – will not be well received by the supporters who brought him to the city council.
Early Signals
The Republican president has already shown signs of mocking the elected mayor. On Wednesday evening, in a Truth Social post announcing the meeting, Mamdani's middle name Kwame was included in quotation marks.
"The Communist Mayor of New York, Zokhran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has requested a meeting."
– he wrote.
Homan, whose appearance in Albany earlier this year turned into a viral protest involving Mamdani and other Democrats, stated on Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement will ramp up operations in New York.
Mamdani's Response
Mamdani, who directly challenged the president in his campaign speech, expressed confidence about the meeting.
"Being a New Yorker means you are ready for all situations, all comments. Ultimately, you have to focus on what cause you are advocating for. Why are you there?"
– he said during a briefing on Thursday.
Mamdani has repeatedly stated that he wants to talk to Trump about making the city more accessible, and even shifted the conversation to the cost of living when asked if he would pressure the president to keep immigration agents out of the city.
Common Ground?
"They both grew up in Queens and New York. There is a lot of common ground they can speak from, understanding their political agendas. It is so transparent, so obvious, that neither can allow their supporters to believe they can work together."
– said David Carlucci, a New York consultant and former state senator.
Trump's Interference
Trump has repeatedly interfered in this year's mayoral race – all to prevent Mamdani's victory. This also underscores the deep interest in who will govern his hometown.
In the first 100 days, Trump halted the controversial congestion pricing program in Manhattan. His Department of Justice dropped a corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams, a moderate Democrat who had been courting the president. Trump's team offered Adams positions to persuade him to drop out of the race and help former Governor Andrew Cuomo's chances.
What's Next?
Mamdani wants the meeting to focus on accessibility – a loud topic on which he campaigned and which Trump used successfully last year.
"I have many disagreements with the president, and I believe we must be relentless and seize every opportunity and every meeting that can make our city accessible to every New Yorker. I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any program that benefits New Yorkers. If a program harms residents, I will also be the first to say so."
– Mamdani told reporters on Thursday.
