New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani accused Israel of committing genocide and the United States government of funding it during a White House press conference with US President Donald Trump on Friday.
In response to one reporter who inquired about Mamdani’s view on US involvement in the Israel-Hamas War, the incoming mayor stated that he has “spoken about the Israeli government committing genocide and our government funding it,” continuing that he shared his concerns with Trump during their meeting.
Trump did not respond to the question nor deny the genocide accusation.
Mamdani told reporters that New Yorkers are “tired of seeing tax dollars fund wars,” and that the US needs to “follow through on the international human rights,” claiming that they are “still being violated, and something needs to be done, no matter where we’re speaking of.”
The incoming mayor, however, praised Trump for his peacemaking efforts in the Middle East, stating that he “appreciates all efforts towards peace.” Trump stated that both he and Mamdani shared an interest in pursuing peace efforts.
Trump was also asked about the ongoing struggle for Hezbollah disarmament in Lebanon. Trump stated that Hezbollah is “a big problem,” elaborating that he is working with Lebanon on the disarmament and that Hezbollah is currently “not in a good position.” He added that he is also “pushing for total disarmament of Hamas.”
Mamdani, who has been vocally critical of the Israeli government, previously stated that he would consider having Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if Netanyahu were to visit New York City during Mamdani’s term. Trump, who has worked closely with Netanyahu, stated that he did not discuss the issue with Mamdani during the meeting.
Trump, Mamdani put aside partisan differences to meet
A democratic socialist and little-known state lawmaker who won New York's mayoral race earlier this month, Mamdani requested the sit-down with Trump to discuss cost-of-living issues and public safety.
"We have one thing in common: we want this city of ours that we love to do very well," Trump said after inviting journalists into the Oval Office following a private meeting. "I want to congratulate the mayor; he really ran an incredible race against some very tough people, very smart people."
"It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City, and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers," Mamdani said.
Trump said he was happy to put aside partisan differences. "The better he does, the happier I am," Trump said.
As Mamdani surged in the polls to victory, Trump, a Republican, issued threats to strip federal funding from the biggest US city. The mayor-elect has regularly criticized a range of Trump's policies, including plans to ramp up federal immigration enforcement efforts in New York City, where four in ten residents are foreign-born.
The 79-year-old president, a former New York resident, has labeled Mamdani, 34, as a "radical left lunatic," a communist, and "Jew hater."
Trump tempered his language on Friday shortly before the mayor-elect's arrival, saying he expected it to be "quite civil" and commending Mamdani for a "successful run."
"I was hitting him a little hard," Trump told "The Brian Kilmeade Show" on Fox News. "I think we'll get along fine. Look, we're looking for the same thing: we want to make New York strong."
Earlier, Mamdani posted a grinning selfie on social media, taken in the seat of a plane bound for Washington.
Mamdani, who will be sworn in as mayor on January 1, said at a press conference the day before heading to Washington that he had "many disagreements with the president."
"I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will work with him on any agenda that benefits New Yorkers," he told reporters outside New York's City Hall. "If an agenda hurts New Yorkers, I will also be the first to say so."
Trump thinks Mamdani was 'very nice' in calling him
Uganda-born Mamdani will be the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in the city that is home to Wall Street. His campaign provoked debate about the best path for Democrats. Out of power in Washington and divided ideologically, Democrats are mainly unified by their opposition to Trump.
Mamdani vowed to focus on affordability issues, including the cost of housing, groceries, childcare, and buses in a city of 8.5 million people. New Yorkers pay nearly double the average rent nationwide.
Inflation has been a major issue for Americans, and it's one on which they give Trump low marks. Just 26% of Americans say Trump is doing a good job at managing the cost of living, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week.
The US federal government is providing $7.4 billion to New York City in fiscal year 2026, or about 6.4% of the city's total spending, according to a New York State Comptroller report. It was not clear what legal authority Trump could claim for withholding any funding mandated by Congress.
The two men were again trading barbs within hours of Mamdani's election.
"If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him," Mamdani told cheering supporters in his victory speech, which called for Trump to "turn the volume up."
Trump said he was puzzled by Mamdani's speech after excerpts were replayed to him during the Fox News interview on Friday morning.
"I don't know exactly what he means by 'turning the volume up.' He has to be careful when he says that to me," Trump said. "He was very nice in calling, as you know, and we're going to have a meeting."