Zohran Mamdani’s Warm White House Meeting with Trump Sparks New Yorkers' Cautious Optimism

One day after Zohran Mamdani received a surprisingly cordial reception at the White House from President Donald Trump, New Yorkers described feeling cautiously optimistic while remaining skeptical about how the mayor-elect will govern once he takes office on January 1.

Mixed reactions on the street

Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist who served three terms in the New York State Assembly, won the mayoral race earlier this month, carrying every borough except Staten Island. Near Central Park and Columbus Circle—areas that analysis from The Center for Urban Research at CUNY’s Graduate Center shows leaned toward former governor Andrew Cuomo during the race—residents applauded Mamdani's televised handling of the meeting with the president, even as they questioned whether it will translate into results.

"I really don’t like the guy, but I’m glad that he was able to go in there and do a good job with the president," said John Lani after a run in Central Park. "Maybe we’ll get some funding, we won’t shut down congestion pricing. Maybe we’ll get some stuff for the subway, we’ll see what it does for the state."

What’s at stake

Residents and observers say the relationship between Trump and Mamdani could influence several major issues for the city. Questions include whether federal authorities will increase immigration enforcement or deploy federal forces to New York, as they have in other Democratic-run cities, and whether Washington will provide funding for large infrastructure projects.

Many of Mamdani’s flagship proposals—such as making city buses faster and fare-free, expanding universal childcare, and raising taxes on the wealthy—will require substantial state and federal funding. Analysts and voters alike say federal cooperation could be pivotal to delivering those priorities.

"I’d like to think that Mamdani is being smart enough to play Trump and praise the man because he needs things for New York," said Steve Cohen. "Unfortunately, this is what you have to do. You have to bow down, praise him, and walk out and wash your hands after."

Early signs and political calculation

Trump, who grew up in Queens and built his business profile in Manhattan, has shown continued interest in the city despite limited local popularity. Speaking after the meeting, he suggested New York was not a priority for deploying National Guard troops at this time, saying, "Right now, other places need it more."

Supporters of Mamdani say the mayor-elect may be intentionally adopting a conciliatory, transactional approach to secure pragmatic gains for the city. "If people are smart they find a way to give him something which may be meaningless, but it’s important to him and then he loves you and rolls out the red carpet," said Shelly Payson, a Mamdani supporter.

For now, the meeting has produced cautious optimism: residents are impressed by Mamdani's diplomacy but remain watchful about whether his White House visit will translate into the funding and federal cooperation necessary to implement his agenda.