Trump: Mamdani Must Be Nice to Me and Show Greater Respect for Washington

US President Donald Trump stated that New York City's Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, should seek a new relationship with Washington, demanding he show kindness instead of adopting angry rhetoric towards him.

Trump's Conditions for Cooperation

• Demand for Kindness and Respect: Speaking in a Fox News interview a day after Mamdani's historic victory as New York's first Muslim mayor, Trump demanded Mamdani adopt a less "angry" rhetoric. He stressed that the Mayor-elect's success depends on respecting Washington and its financial support for the city.

• Desire for City Success: Despite earlier attacks where he called the election "unfair" and accused Democrats of choosing a "communist candidate," Trump said, "I would like to see the new Mayor of New York do well because I love the city."

• Sovereignty Hint: In an earlier statement, Trump had alluded to soon dealing with the loss of "a part of this sovereignty" in New York following Mamdani's election, claiming residents would soon migrate to flee "communism."

Mamdani's Response and Focus on Cost of Living

• Willingness to Work Together: Zohran Mamdani expressed his readiness to work with Trump to serve New Yorkers, telling reporters: "I am still interested in having a conversation with President Trump about ways we can work together to serve the people of New York."

• Cost of Living Priority: Like Trump, Mamdani centered his campaign—in which he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo—on the rising cost of living, inflation, and increasing consumer costs.

• Implementing the Agenda: After winning on promises including free public transit, rent control, and free childcare, Mamdani asserted that what frightens Republicans nationwide is the fact that "we will actually implement this agenda."