State Watch

Mamdani describes relationship with Trump as ‘productive’

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by Sophia Vento - 04/19/26 10:30 AM ET

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by Sophia Vento - 04/19/26 10:30 AM ET

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) on Sunday characterized his working relationship with President Trump as “productive.”

“I would say it’s honest. It’s direct, and it’s productive,” he told NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet The Press.”

Both Mamdani and Trump have hurled attacks at each other since the now-mayor arrived on the political scene. Just three days ago, Trump claimed that Mamdani is “destroying” New York, the city the president called home for decades.

“Sadly, Mayor Mamdani is DESTROYING New York! It has no chance! The United States of America should not contribute to its failure,” Trump wrote on the social platform about Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) proposed tax on second homes.

But both New Yorkers have emerged from a pair of friendly meetings since Mamdani’s victory last year and described the huddles as fruitful. The mayor visited the White House in November and February.

“Those conversations, no matter how they happen, they return back to one thing, one of the few things that we have in common, which is our love for New York City and how to deliver for this same city,” Mamdani told Welker Sunday.

Mamdani chalks up the friendly encounters to these New York ties.

“I’m lucky in that I have something that no one else does, which is that I’m from New York City,” he said. “And New York City holds a very special place for him, as well as for me. We’re both from this same city.”

“Donald Trump is not just the president of this country,” Mamdani continued. “He’s also someone who’s been a New Yorker for his entire life, and there is an investment in this city doing well.”

Mamdani has used his relationship to raise issues with the president. After Mamdani’s February meeting at the White House, Trump told the mayor the administration would release a Columbia University student who was detained by federal immigration officers, at Mamdani’s request.

“I think we see in those decisions the worth of the relationship that is both honest and direct and looking to be productive,” Mamdani said Sunday. “And that honesty means acknowledging places of disagreement.”

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