President Trump praises Mamdani after meeting at the White House
President Donald Trump said he would feel “very comfortable” in New York after meeting with Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani.
President Donald Trump continues to attack New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s policies.
At a press conference in the Oval Office this week, the president called Mamdani a “smart guy” but said he did not understand some of his moves since taking office.
Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing exchange between the two.
Trump criticizes Mamdani again
After signing the executive order, President Trump said Mamdani was forcing businesses out of the city and that “we will end up in starvation or filth.”
“I don’t understand why he thinks it’s OK for all these companies that pay hundreds of millions of dollars a year in taxes to leave,” Trump told reporters.
“Because there will be no tax base and there will be hunger and filth and death and destruction.”
This is not a new complaint the president has with the mayor. He has publicly opposed Mamdani’s new pied-à-terre tax proposal aimed at wealthy residents.
But then President Trump’s comments changed. At his desk, he mocked the mayor and said, “If you want to go down that path, I’d be better than him. Guys, I’m not going to pay any more rent. I’m not going to have to pay any more mortgage interest.”
“As a matter of fact, I’m going to cancel your mortgage. I’m going to cut everything. You don’t have to pay for food anymore. I’m going to give you a grocery store, and I’m going to give you free food.”
“I’m going to make the best contribution I’ve ever made,” Trump said.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on the president’s comments.
The feud between Mamdani and Trump continues
Although the two sides had their differences, face-to-face talks usually went well despite ideological and political differences.
After their first in-person meeting, Mamdani said at the White House, “It was a productive meeting that focused on New York City, a place we share admiration and love for, and the need to provide affordability for New Yorkers.”
“He wants crime to go away, he wants housing to be built, he wants rent to go down, and I agree with all of that,” Trump said after the meeting.
However, their similarities lead to disagreements about how to implement certain policies.
Mamdani’s campaign, for example, focused on taxing the wealthy to provide more services to New Yorkers. But in April, when Mamdani proposed a tax plan for wealthy residents, Trump criticized it on social media.
“Sadly, Mayor Mamdani is trying to destroy New York! No chance! The United States should not be complicit in New York’s failures,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
“It’s only going to get worse. Taxes, taxes, tax policy is so wrong. People are fleeing. They have to change their ways, and fast. History has shown us that this ‘thing’ just doesn’t work.”
