Mamdani Signals Willingness to Work with Trump Administration on Cost of Living Issues Facing New Yorkers

New York mayoral election winner Zohran Mamdani and US President Donald Trump

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York, expressed on Wednesday his willingness to collaborate with President Donald Trump on addressing cost of living challenges, despite their political differences.

During a press briefing, the Muslim-American lawmaker, whose unexpected rise from underdog to mayor-elect has astonished political observers, quipped that he had yet to receive congratulations from the White House.

"I remain open to discussions with President Trump regarding ways we can collaborate to benefit New Yorkers," Mamdani stated, specifically mentioning the opportunity to work on "fulfilling his campaign promises related to cost of living issues."

Similar to Trump, Mamdani centered his successful campaign around addressing inflation, high grocery prices, and overall cost of living concerns, ultimately defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo's platform.

"I believe the lesson for the president is that merely identifying the crisis affecting working-class Americans is insufficient; one must deliver tangible solutions to address that crisis," Mamdani emphasized.

The mayor-elect criticized Trump for promising to tackle rising grocery costs during his campaign while simultaneously attempting to suspend food assistance programs during the government shutdown when previously in office.

Having won on pledges to implement free city bus transportation, rent control measures, and complimentary childcare, Mamdani asserted that "what truly frightens Republicans nationwide is our commitment to actually implement this agenda."

On Wednesday, Mamdani introduced the five women who will co-chair his transition team, including Lina Khan, who served as Federal Trade Commission chair under the Biden administration, and Maria Torres-Springer, who resigned from her deputy mayor position under outgoing mayor Eric Adams due to Adams' engagement with Trump.