Unexpected Truce: Trump and NYC Mayor‑Elect Zohran Mamdani Agree to Cooperate on Cost‑of‑Living Issues

President Donald Trump and New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani left a first meeting at the White House describing a surprisingly cordial encounter, despite their stark ideological differences. Trump publicly congratulated Mamdani on his upset victory and said he was "very confident that he can do a very good job."

The 34‑year‑old Democratic socialist, who beat expectations to win both the city's Democratic primary and the general election, used the visit to press his affordability agenda. Mamdani signalled he would push priorities such as expanded public transportation, measures to curb grocery prices, rent protections for millions of rent‑stabilised units, and a universal childcare programme.

Both men said they found common ground on immediate concerns affecting working‑class New Yorkers: housing, food costs and other cost‑of‑living pressures. "We agreed a lot more than I would have thought," Trump said in the Oval Office, at times interjecting during questions from reporters to shield the incoming mayor.

The meeting marked a sharp tonal shift from the campaign, when Trump had derided Mamdani and backed other candidates. Whether the warm rhetoric will produce a durable working relationship remains unclear; Mamdani is due to be sworn in in January.

Other notable developments

Immigration detentions surge: Federal enforcement operations during the recent government shutdown led to tens of thousands of arrests, contributing to a record immigration detention count of more than 65,000 people nationwide.

Economic data disruption: The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish official inflation figures for October because the shutdown interrupted data collection, depriving policymakers of a key indicator as they weigh interest‑rate decisions.

Ukraine pressure: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned his country faces a difficult moment after Mr. Trump set a tight deadline for Kyiv to accept a U.S.‑backed peace proposal critics say would require painful territorial concessions.

Controversial vaccine comments: In a recent interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revisit its long‑standing position that vaccines do not cause autism. His comments have drawn renewed attention and debate.

Politics and legal fights: Two lawmakers investigating Jeffrey Epstein criticised a member of the royal family for declining a deposition request. Meanwhile, gifts to the president — including a gold desk clock and an engraved gold bar — have prompted discussion about the personalization of presidential power.

Other items of note: Representative Eric Swalwell announced a run for California governor; the Justice Department sued California over in‑state tuition rules for undocumented students; research shows the current administration has low senior‑leadership diversity; and the Justice Department is recruiting lawyers to serve as immigration adjudicators as part of an expanded enforcement push.

This roundup highlights the most consequential political developments tied to the White House meeting and other breaking stories on 20 November 2025.