Trump Warns NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani to ‘Work with Washington’ or Face Setbacks
Washington: US President Donald Trump has responded to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech, cautioning the 34-year-old Democrat to build a constructive relationship with Washington or risk encountering obstacles.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump struck a mixed tone—saying he wanted Mamdani “to do well” because he “loved New York”—but reiterated his earlier criticism, calling the incoming mayor a “communist.”
“You know, I’m torn because I’d like to see the new mayor do well—I love New York, really love it. When I left for Washington, New York was doing great, but there were warning signs. The big warning sign was Bill de Blasio. That was the beginning, and it was bad. This one we’ll be watching for a thousand years. Communism has never worked,” Trump said.
Referring to Mamdani’s fiery victory speech in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, Trump described it as “a very angry speech,” warning that the new mayor should maintain a cordial relationship with the White House.
“I thought it was a very angry speech, certainly angry toward me. I think he should be nice to me since I have to approve a lot of what comes his way. He’s off to a bad start,” Trump told Fox News.
During his victory address, Mamdani had directly addressed Trump, declaring, “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,” and adding, “I have four words for him: Turn the volume up.”
Mamdani, a Democrat, secured a decisive victory in the New York City mayoral race, which saw a record turnout of over two million voters. He defeated independent candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo—who was backed by Trump and Elon Musk—as well as Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
The win delivered a major morale boost to Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In a separate appearance at a business event in Miami following the results, Trump claimed the US had lost its “sovereignty” after Mamdani’s win, alleging that New York City was “heading toward communism” and vowing to “take care of it,” without offering specifics.
A day later, addressing supporters in Miami, Trump said, “Miami will soon be the refuge for those fleeing communism in New York.”
“The decision facing Americans could not be clearer: a choice between communism and common sense,” Trump said. “Between an economic nightmare and an economic miracle.”
