Mamdani and Trump Share 'Productive' Bond Over NYC's Success, Mayor Reveals

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described his relationship with former President Donald Trump as "direct" and "productive." Speaking to Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday, Mamdani revealed that Trump told reporters after their first meeting in the Oval Office that "the better this city does, the happier I feel."

Mamdani emphasized that Trump’s statement "mirrors [his] own sentiments exactly." He added,

"It’s honest, it’s direct, and it’s productive."

Despite longstanding ideological and personal disagreements with Trump, Mamdani acknowledged their shared focus on New York City’s success. He declined to disclose the frequency of their conversations but stressed,

"Much of that is based on the premise of privacy, but what I will say is that those conversations, no matter how they happen, they return back to one thing—their love for New York City and how to deliver for this same city."

Mamdani reiterated his commitment to democratic socialism, stating he believes in it "more than I did the day before," emphasizing its focus on working-class needs. Welker also pressed him on his political platform, including his universal childcare proposal.

Universal Childcare Plan: A Breakdown

Mamdani outlined his ambitious childcare initiative, promising:

• By the end of his first term: Full universal childcare for two-year-olds.
• By the end of his second term: Expansion to include one-year-olds and children as young as six weeks.

He confirmed that the plan aligns with New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s goals and will cover children aged six weeks to five years. Mamdani highlighted progress in the first 100 days of his administration, stating,

"We’ve delivered on fixing the system for three-year-olds and are rolling that out right now, and then starting to deliver it for the first time in history for two-year-olds."

The plan for two-year-olds could save families $20,000 per year and enable parents to "raise their kid in the city they love."

Additional Policy Initiatives

Mamdani also discussed his support for a pied-à-terre tax, targeting owners of second homes in New York City. He criticized the practice of wealthy individuals owning underused properties while residents struggle, stating,

"This is the kind of real estate activity that’s happening in this city—homes that are largely empty for much of the year, but it all occurs while New Yorkers are hurting in this same city."