Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, has indicated that his team has reached out to the White House to arrange a meeting with President Donald Trump. This meeting aims to discuss the city's affordability crisis and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as reported by Henry Rosoff of PIX11 News.

Mamdani expressed his willingness to engage with Trump, stating, "I will go to make the case to the president," following Trump's remarks about wanting to ensure positive outcomes for New York City. The relationship between the city’s leadership and federal authorities is significant, as it could impact millions of residents.

Previously, Trump had labeled Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as a "communist," questioned his citizenship, and threatened to withhold federal funding or deploy federal troops to the city if Mamdani were elected. Despite these tensions, Mamdani has emphasized his commitment to work collaboratively with anyone, including the president, to benefit New Yorkers.

Mamdani's policy platform focuses on addressing affordability through initiatives such as universal child care, free public transportation, and increased taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations. He has also expressed intentions to proactively discourage the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and National Guard troops in New York City.

Trump acknowledged Mamdani's request for a meeting, stating, "The mayor of New York... would like to meet with us and we’ll work something out." He did not specify a date for the meeting but reiterated the importance of cooperation for the city's success.

Mamdani is set to become the youngest mayor of New York in over a century and the first Muslim mayor when he takes office on January 1, 2026.