Washington [US], November 21: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he plans to meet the newly elected mayor of New York, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, at the White House.
"Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran 'Kwame' Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Further details to follow!"
Mamdani's team confirmed the meeting.
"As is customary for an incoming mayoral administration, the Mayor-elect plans to meet with the President in Washington to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda that over one million New Yorkers voted for just two weeks ago," his spokeswoman said.
Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, is set to become the first Muslim mayor of New York and the youngest person to hold the position since the 19th century. The left-wing politician won the New York mayoral election on November 4 and will take office at the turn of the year.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani in the run-up to his election victory and threatened to withhold federal funds from the metropolis if the Democrat won.
Mamdani has been a vocal critic of the president, whose administration has taken drastic action against people who entered the country illegally.
"New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant," the 34-year-old said in his victory speech.
In an interview with US broadcaster MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) on Wednesday, Mamdani was asked about the planned meeting.
"My team reached out because of a commitment that I made to New Yorkers that I would be willing to meet with anyone and everyone so long as it was to the benefit of the 8.5 million people who call the city home and their struggle to afford the most expensive city in the United States of America," Mamdani said.
"I want to just speak plainly to the president about what it means to actually stand up for New Yorkers," he added.
Source: Qatar Tribune
