Why is Zohran Mamdani warming up to Trump ahead of Oval Office meeting?

WEB DESK: New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to meet President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday, marking a notable shift in relations between the two political figures who have sparred publicly for months. Once labeled a “communist” by Trump, threatened with deportation, and targeted by Islamophobic rhetoric from Trump allies, Mamdani now approaches the meeting with a pragmatic focus on advancing his affordability agenda for New Yorkers.

Mamdani, 34, who rose from relative obscurity as a New York State lawmaker to become mayor-elect, emphasised that his priority is the city, not political grudges. “I will meet with anyone. I will speak to everyone so long as it could stand to benefit an economic agenda for New Yorkers. And that’s where I will always make the case,” he told reporters. He highlighted that both he and Trump campaigned on addressing the cost-of-living crisis, providing a potential area of common ground despite ideological differences.

Trump confirmed the meeting via social media on Wednesday, noting that Mamdani requested the sit-down. While he maintained his trademark jabs, highlighting Mamdani’s middle name and reiterating past criticisms, the tone suggested a potential detente following the November elections, where Republicans faced setbacks nationally, including in New York.

The mayor-elect plans to discuss issues such as public safety, economic security, and housing affordability, which he described as priorities endorsed by over a million voters. He views the meeting as an opportunity to make his case directly to the president, standing firm on behalf of New Yorkers if faced with confrontational tactics.

Mamdani’s ascent has been meteoric: he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, first in the Democratic primary and again in the November general election, despite Cuomo receiving Trump’s support. Sworn in on January 1, Mamdani will become the 111th mayor of New York City, with ambitious promises including free bus travel, expanded public housing, rent freezes on government-subsidized properties, and free childcare.

The Friday meeting will test whether political pragmatism can prevail over months of sharp rhetoric, as Mamdani aims to “Trump-proof” New York while forging working relations with the federal government for the benefit of the city’s residents.