In a remarkable twist of American politics, President Donald Trump has developed an unexpectedly cordial, texting-based relationship with New York City's staunchly socialist Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. This comes after a fiercely antagonistic campaign where Trump labelled his opponent a "100% Communist Lunatic."
From Public Vitriol to Private Texts
The ideological gulf between the two men could hardly be wider. During his victory speech in Brooklyn in November 2025, Mayor-elect Mamdani directly called out Trump, accusing him of building wealth "on the backs of the less fortunate." He vowed to end a "culture of corruption" that allowed billionaires like Trump to exploit tax breaks.
Yet, shortly after the election, the dynamic shifted dramatically. Trump welcomed Mamdani into the Oval Office on November 21, 2025. There, they pledged cooperation on key issues for New Yorkers: housing, affordability, and public safety.
According to Axios, the pair exchanged phone numbers during that meeting, and a regular texting dialogue began soon after. Trump reportedly praised Mamdani's appearance, telling the mayor he was "even better-looking in person than ... on TV."
A Strategic Shift with Political Repercussions
This newfound rapport had immediate consequences for New York's state politics. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who had planned a run for governor, had aggressively attacked Mamdani, calling him a "jihadist" and intending to tie Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul to his radical policies.
However, when pressed by reporters on Stefanik's rhetoric, President Trump dismissed it as mere campaign talk. "She's out there campaigning. You say things sometimes in a campaign," Trump stated, adding his new characterisation of Mamdani: "I met with a man who is a rational person."
Stefanik dropped out of the governor's race at the end of December 2025, with Trump's refusal to endorse her attacks on Mamdani seen as a significant factor.
An Alliance of Convenience or Genuine Detente?
The relationship remains one of the most unlikely in modern US politics. Trump's earlier threats included deporting Mamdani and cutting federal funds to New York City. Mamdani's socialist platform is diametrically opposed to Trump's conservative populism.
Nevertheless, their pragmatic focus on New York City's pressing issues has created a working channel. As Trump noted in the Oval Office, he expected the socialist mayor to "surprise some conservative people." This political anomaly, born from a blend of personal chemistry and practical necessity, continues to defy expectations and reshape local political battles.
