Big Update After Trump Gets Off Phone with Zohran Mandani

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani confirmed in a Tuesday interview on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” that he has been in direct contact with President Donald Trump following their cordial White House meeting last month.

“I’ve spoken briefly with the president since then, and I’ve always kept it a conversation that’s focused on the welfare of New Yorkers,” Mamdani said, arguing that residents are still struggling with affordability issues despite years of warnings.

Mamdani also said he expressed condolences to Trump after last weekend’s attack on two National Guardsmen in New York City — one of whom later died.

“It was a conversation where I both communicated my condolences about the multiple National Guardsmen who were attacked and the one who later lost her life to that horrific attack and focusing on what we can do to actually build more housing here in New York,” Mamdani said.

Notably, Mamdani pledged to continue opposing federal immigration enforcement in New York City, even after speaking directly with President Trump — who campaigned on restoring the rule of law and deporting criminal aliens.

“I’ve said, even to the president directly, that these raids are cruel and inhumane,” Mamdani declared.

President Trump has argued the opposite, noting that mass illegal immigration under Joe Biden — an estimated 10–15 million people — helped trigger today’s affordability and housing crises.

Earlier Tuesday, Mamdani met with outgoing Mayor Eric Adams for the first time since Election Day, describing the discussion as focused on a “smooth transition.”

The mayor-elect also signaled he may keep some current officials, including Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

“I appreciate the work that she’s done… I will assess her and everyone else on the basis of the work they have done, not on who appointed them.”

Mamdani said his team is still selecting a location for his January 1 inauguration and promised that “everyday New Yorkers” will be included in the ceremony.

His transition office is currently reviewing roughly 70,000 résumés submitted for positions in his incoming administration.

He also hasn’t decided whether he will live in the taxpayer-funded Gracie Mansion. Mamdani currently resides in a rent-controlled apartment in Astoria.

While Mamdani says he maintains a cordial relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul, he broke with her over her approval of a natural gas pipeline expansion.

“I’m on the record opposing any new fossil fuel construction, and it’s part of a commitment to taking on the climate crisis,” Mamdani said.

Energy experts, however, overwhelmingly note that fossil fuels — especially natural gas — remain the most affordable, reliable, and clean-burning forms of energy available. Natural gas has been credited with major reductions in U.S. carbon emissions over the last two decades.

Mamdani’s opposition suggests he may be prioritizing an aggressive left-wing climate agenda over economic realities and the cost burdens facing New Yorkers.