US President Donald Trump has just said: Let’s see how Mamdani does in New York, we will help him
Zohran Mamdani used his first press conference since winning the mayoral election on Tuesday to signal that he will not back down from pressure coming from the Trump administration.
The 34-year-old unveiled the members of his transition team and said his administration will confront what he called the “twin crises” of “an authoritarian administration and an affordability crisis.” Trump has branded the incoming mayor a communist — a characterization Mamdani rejects — and has suggested New York City could lose federal funding if Mamdani became mayor.
On Election Night, Trump hinted at a political showdown, posting “AND SO IT BEGINS!” on Truth Social shortly after Mamdani’s victory. Trump has also called him “extreme,” while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the GOP plans to link national Democrats to Mamdani’s agenda in next year’s midterms.
Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, a term without a strict definition but commonly associated with prioritizing workers over corporate interests. He has pledged to raise taxes on millionaires to expand social programs. On Wednesday, Trump commented on Mamdani’s win by saying, “I hope it works out for New York. We’ll help him a little bit, maybe.”
During his election night speech, Mamdani addressed Trump directly, urging him to “turn the volume up” to hear the energy of his supporters. On Wednesday, Mamdani again referred to the president, promising he would not “mince my words” when speaking about Trump — yet adding that he would leave a “door open” for dialogue with the administration, particularly on lowering living costs.
Mamdani reiterated key campaign promises, including free bus service and freezing rents on rent-stabilized apartments. He also introduced several transition team members: Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Elana Leopold, who previously worked for former Mayor Bill de Blasio; and Maria Torres-Springer, former deputy mayor under Eric Adams.
The transition group will assist Mamdani in forming his administration ahead of his January 1, 2026 inauguration.