United States President Donald Trump has urged New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to build a new working relationship with Washington, cautioning that Mamdani could risk losing significant support if he chooses not to cooperate, Reuters reported.
Speaking to Fox News anchor Brett Baier, Trump said he was open to holding talks with Mamdani but stressed that the incoming mayor must show respect toward Washington and acknowledge the federal government’s financial backing of New York City if he hopes to govern effectively.
In a landmark political moment, 34-year-old Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, was elected mayor on Tuesday, defeating Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent contender Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor who was endorsed by Trump just before election day.
Mamdani, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, is known for his progressive platform focused on housing, public transport, and affordability. His campaign promised rent freezes for stabilised tenants, fare-free city buses, universal childcare, and city-run grocery stores to control food prices.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York at the age of seven. Before entering politics, he worked as a housing counsellor in Queens, helping low-income families avoid eviction.
First elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, Mamdani built his political reputation through grassroots activism and his commitment to social equity.
“As Mayor, my mission is simple — to make New York affordable again,” Mamdani said after his win. “We’ll bring down rents, expand public transit, and make it easier for families to thrive.”
His victory marks a profound shift in New York’s political landscape, placing a Democratic Socialist at the helm of a city long considered a symbol of global capitalism.
