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U.S. President Donald Trump said he will meet New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday in what would be the first meeting of the Republican leader with the democratic socialist who won this month's mayoral election.
Mamdani and Trump have been critical of each other, with Trump having backed Mamdani's opponent, Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani, for his part, has been critical of the Trump administration's policies, including its crackdown on immigration and U.S. support for Israel during the Gaza war.
"We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st," Trump said on social media on Wednesday.
Mamdani told reporters earlier this week that his team had reached out to the White House to arrange a meeting.
A Mamdani spokesperson said on Wednesday the mayor-elect planned to meet Trump in Washington "to discuss public safety, economic security and the affordability agenda."
President Donald Trump has incorrectly labelled Zohran Mamdani a "communist." (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)During the mayoral election campaign, Trump threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding from the city if Mamdani won.
The U.S. federal government is providing $7.4 billion US to New York City in fiscal year 2026, or about 6.4 per cent of the city's total spending, according to a New York State Comptroller report.
Since Mamdani's rise, Trump has incorrectly labelled him as a "communist."
Mamdani made countering Trump's actions in the city, especially on immigration, a centerpiece of his successful campaign.
During his victory speech earlier this month, Mamdani said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president.
He's also talked about "Trump-proofing" New York once he takes office in January while also promising to work with anyone, including the president, if it benefited New Yorkers.
Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on January 1.