Is a Communist Heading to the White House? Leavitt Critiques Mamdani Ahead of Trump Meeting
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Zohran Mamdani is the first Democratic socialist mayor of New York City.
- The White House criticized Mamdani, calling him a “communist”.
- Trump and Mamdani are set to discuss public safety and economic stability.
- The meeting follows a contentious election campaign.
- Mamdani aims to find common ground with the President.
Washington, Nov 21 (NationPress) The White House has set its sights on New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, proclaiming that a “communist” is about to enter the White House, just one day ahead of his anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday.
In response to inquiries about the upcoming meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented, “It speaks volumes that tomorrow we have a communist coming to the White House, because that's who the Democrat party elected as the mayor of the largest city in the country,” referring to Mamdani. She added that the president is “willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone to try to do what’s right on behalf of the American people.”
Trump confirmed the meeting via a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, labeling Mamdani as the “Communist Mayor of New York City” and stating that the mayor-elect had requested the Oval Office meeting. “We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st.”
On Thursday, Mamdani conducted a briefing in New York City, expressing his intention to outline his priorities for the city and identify common ground with the president. “I’m not concerned about this meeting,” he asserted. “I view this meeting as an opportunity to make my case.”
The New York mayor-elect aims to discuss critical topics including public safety, affordability, and economic stability during the Oval Office dialogue.
This meeting follows months of contentious exchanges throughout the New York mayoral election campaign. Trump frequently accused Mamdani of being a “communist,” forecasted economic and social decline under his guidance, and threatened cuts to federal funding for New York City if Mamdani emerged victorious.
Notably, Trump diverged from his party's support by endorsing Mamdani’s opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate. Mamdani ultimately triumphed over Cuomo by nearly nine percentage points in the November 4 election, achieving the distinction of becoming the first Democratic socialist mayor of the nation’s largest city.
In his victory address, Mamdani directly referenced Trump, urging him to “turn the volume up” on the television.
“So hear me, President Trump, when I say this: to get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,” he stated.