White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that a “communist” will be meeting President Trump on Friday, using that word to describe Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani ahead of his visit.
Ms. Leavitt, who was coy about the details of Mr. Mamdani’s meeting with Mr. Trump, did not mince words about who Democrats recently elected to lead New York City.
“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,” she said.
“I think it’s very telling, but I also think it speaks to the fact that President Trump is willing to meet with anyone, and talk to anyone, and to try to do what’s right on behalf of the American people, whether they live in blue states or red states or blue cities.”
Mr Trump announced Mr. Mamdani’s meeting on social media on Wednesday using similar language.
“Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ’Kwame’ Mamdani, has asked for a meeting. We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st,” he wrote.
In response to the Truth Social post, Mr. Mamdani said. “I’m not concerned about this meeting, I view this meeting as an opportunity to make my case.”
He added, “It behooves me to leave no stone unturned in making the city more affordable.”
Mr. Trump and Mr. Mamdani repeatedly attacked one another in the months he was running for mayor. Mr. Trump often called him a “communist” and ultimately endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the last days of the campaign.
“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!” the president said.
Mr. Trump also specifically cautioned New York’s Jewish community, the largest in the world for a city proper.
“Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self-professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!” he wrote on Election Day.
Mr. Trump warned that if Mr. Mamdani, who promised to freeze New York City apartment rents and eliminate bus fares, won the election and was uncooperative with the administration, then Mr. Trump would cut off federal funding to his native New York City.
Upon winning the mayoral race, Mr. Mamdani whipped up his supporters at his election night party and pushed back on Mr. Trump.
“If there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This is not only how we stopped Trump, it’s how we stop the next one,” he said.
“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching. I have four words for you. Turn the volume up.”
The mayor-elect continued, “We will hold bad landlords to account, because the Donald Trumps of our city have grown far too comfortable taking advantage of their tenants. We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks.”
