In a revealing television appearance that blended political scrutiny with moments of levity, newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the panel of The View on Tuesday, fielding questions that ranged from his unexpected rapport with former President Donald Trump to his staunch advocacy for immigration reform.
A Warm Welcome and a Serious Question
Sunny Hostin, one of the show's co-hosts, immediately expressed her delight at addressing Mamdani with his new title, remarking, 'Mr. Mayor—and I love saying that...' before pivoting to a grave topic. She raised the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, by ICE agents, prompting Mamdani to reiterate his previous characterisation of the incident as 'murder'.
Unexpected Connections: Mamdani and Trump
The conversation took a surprising turn when Mamdani disclosed that he maintains close contact with Donald Trump, a revelation that captivated fellow panelist Joy Behar. The two politicians reportedly hit it off during a photo opportunity in November, following Mamdani's electoral victory.
Behar, probing the nature of their relationship, questioned whether the mayor was engaging in a 'charm offensive' towards the conservative figure. Mamdani responded diplomatically, stating, 'I think my intention is about being honest and direct with the president. And I think there are many disagreements the two of us have.'
Further intriguing the audience, Mamdani confirmed that he and Trump have been exchanging text messages. When Behar humorously requested to see the texts, the studio erupted in laughter, and Mamdani quipped, 'I don't have my phone,' a response Behar jokingly deemed 'very convenient.'
Policy Priorities and Political Philosophy
Behar continued her line of inquiry, asking if Mamdani genuinely believes Trump cares about New York City and whether he has an award for him—a likely nod to Trump's unsuccessful Nobel Peace Prize bid. Mamdani sidestepped the first part, focusing instead on his commitment to cooperation, saying, 'I don't have an award, but I will say, though, I'll exhaust every possibility [when it comes to cooperation between the White House and his team].'
He emphasised his dedication to New Yorkers, asserting, 'When New Yorkers elect a mayor they're looking for someone who is going to turn over every leaf to see what they can do for the city. That's what I'm going to do.'
Calling for ICE Abolition
In a more policy-focused segment, Mamdani voiced his strong support for the abolition of ICE, arguing that deportation raids would 'rip' New York City apart. He elaborated, 'And I've said this directly to the president—that these ICE raids are cruel, inhumane, they do nothing to deliver that public safety, in fact, what they do is leave a sense of fear among so many.'
Background and Electoral Context
This appearance marked Mamdani's second on The View, following an October spot. His political journey includes a notable primary win over Andrew Cuomo, the disgraced former governor, which was widely seen as an upset victory given Cuomo's endorsements from numerous high-profile Democrats and even some Republicans.
The cornerstone of Mamdani's campaign was affordability, a key issue that resonated with voters and propelled him to a second election win against Cuomo in the general race.
Throughout the interview, Mamdani's responses reflected his identity as a Democratic socialist, balancing pragmatic engagement with political opponents like Trump against a firm stance on progressive policies such as immigration reform and urban affordability.
