Overview
- Zohran Mamdani told NBC New York he will contact President Trump before Jan. 1, calling their relationship "critical to the success of the city."
- He said he is open to working on lowering costs for residents but would resist any federal actions he believes would harm New Yorkers.
- Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani and signaled New York could receive only the minimum required in federal aid under his administration.
- Mamdani named veteran fiscal manager Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and DSA organizer Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff as he builds his team.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul lauded Fuleihan’s selection but questioned fare-free buses, citing the MTA’s reliance on fare revenue.