(Washington) After a campaign marked by bitter exchanges between the two men, Donald Trump receives in Washington on Friday the next Democratic mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, who has become a leading opponent.
The 34-year-old elected official declared to the press on Thursday that he was “ready whatever happens” for this first meeting with the American president, who did not hesitate to rough up some of his guests in the Oval Office.
Donald Trump, for his part, estimated, on Fox News on Friday, that he and Zohran Mamdani should “get along well” despite their “different political philosophies”.
The president regularly describes the democrat – a self-proclaimed socialist and defender of migrants – as a “communist”. But he also judges that both want “the same thing: to make New York stronger”.
At the same time, Zohran Mamdani published on selfie smiling on board the plane presumably taking him to the capital, then a study showing that 40% of New York families cannot afford their weekly food expenses.
The elected mayor of New York focused his campaign on the cost of living, criticizing the president for primarily defending the richest Americans while he himself was elected on promises linked to purchasing power.
“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 New Yorkers, I will also be the first to say it,” promised the elected official, a Muslim born in Uganda to an Indian family.
Donald Trump supported his main opponent Andrew Cuomo, former Democratic governor of the state. But on November 4, Zohran Mamdani won with more than 50% of the votes, with a record participation of more than 2 million voters, unheard of since 1969.
“I give him a lot of credit for this campaign,” Donald Trump said on Fox News, admitting without apparent rancor that both had “hit a little hard” against each other.
Trap ?
For the new mayor, the meeting is not without risk, believes Lincoln Mitchell, political scientist at Columbia University. He does not rule out a trap, like the one set for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “We could see (Vice-President JD) Vance coming to harass him,” he told AFP.
Zohran Mamdani downplayed the issue, speaking of a “usual” meeting with the president, who threatened to cut federal funds intended for New York and sent the National Guard to several Democratic strongholds.
However, he needs Donald Trump. “For Mamdani, many of the things he wants to do in New York will also depend on measures taken at the federal level”, on security and especially the economy, estimates Garret Martin, professor of international relations at American University.
While waiting for him to take office on the 1ster January, the future mayor also tries to reassure those who worry about his inexperience (his only mandate is that of district elected official in the New York State assembly).
After choosing as his right-hand man Dean Fuleihan, a 74-year-old veteran of local politics, the Democrat reappointed Jessica Tisch, a professional with a firm profile, hailed for having reduced crime in New York as head of the police.
“Although he has not abandoned any of his political objectives, the fact that Zohran Mamdani retains certain senior officials from the (outgoing) administration, which he had sharply criticized, seems to indicate that his revolution will have safeguards,” judges Grant Reeher, professor of politics at Syracuse University.
