The first ever face-to-face between Mamdani and Trump could mark a turning point in federal-city relations, with New York’s incoming mayor testing whether his bold progressive agenda can find buy-in from the White House.

In a meeting that defied expectations, US President Donald Trump hosted New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday.

A democratic socialist and little-known state lawmaker who won New York's mayoral race earlier this month, Mamdani requested the sit-down with Trump to discuss cost-of-living issues and public safety.