After calling Mamdani a ‘100% communist nutcase,’ Trump now says ‘we’re looking for the same things’
President Donald Trump called New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani a “100 percent communist nutcase” and a “total weirdo.” Mamdani called the Trump administration “authoritarian” and described himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
Their very first meeting, scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. ET at the White House, could therefore be a curious and explosive affair.
Although they have presented themselves for months as leading adversaries, the Republican president and the new Democratic star have also indicated they are willing to find areas of agreement that would help the city they both call home.
Trump, in an interview with Fox News Radio Friday morning, said he expected the meeting to be “pretty civil.” Mamdani, a democratic socialist who takes office in January, said he wants to meet with Trump to discuss ways to make New York City more affordable.
The following is excerpted from an AP live blog of Friday’s events to focus on the Trump-Mamdani meeting.
