Overview
- Axios reported that President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani began texting after exchanging numbers during their November Oval Office meeting, with multiple outlets describing recent, ongoing exchanges.
- Some reports cite at least twice‑weekly messages on topics including affordable housing, zoning and U.S. policy toward Venezuela, though the precise frequency and content have not been corroborated.
- Mamdani has publicly acknowledged exchanging a handful of texts and said he separately discussed building affordable housing with Trump following their White House meeting.
- The rapport has shown strain after Mamdani called Trump to oppose U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, prompting Trump to say he was surprised by the criticism.
- Trump has announced federal payments to sanctuary jurisdictions will be halted starting Feb. 1, and Mamdani vowed to defend New York City’s policies and said he reached out to the president about the funding threat.