Donald Trump agrees to meet Zohran Mamdani – but still makes a dig

United States President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this Friday, 21 November—though he used the announcement as another chance to insult him.

Trump has long expressed disdain for Mamdani, who recently made history as the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian and African heritage. Before Mamdani’s election, Trump even warned he would cut federal funding if Mamdani won.

On Truth Social, Trump repeatedly labeled Mamdani a “communist,” a claim that is demonstrably false. Earlier posts included calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic,” despite Mamdani publicly correcting the misinformation several times.

In his latest message, Trump wrote that the “Communist Mayor of New York City” requested a meeting at the Oval Office—once again misrepresenting Mamdani’s political ideology.

Mamdani has clarified that he is a democratic socialist, not a communist. Experts have supported this distinction, noting he does not advocate for hallmarks of communism such as state control of industry or abolishing private property.

Political analysts say accusations of communism are a common tactic among some Republicans, used to discredit left-leaning politicians—a strategy with roots in America’s long history of “red scare” rhetoric.

Mamdani has explained that democratic socialism, for him, focuses on reducing inequality and improving affordability, aligning with ideas expressed by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. It aims to pursue socialist goals through democratic means, distinguishing it sharply from the authoritarian structure of communism.