Mamdani says Trump threats are 'inevitable'

Trump has referred to Mamdani as "extreme," and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has said his party will tie Democrats to Mamdani's policies in next years' midterm elections. Mamdani is a self-ascribed democratic socialist. It has no clear definition but essentially means giving a voice to workers, not corporations. Mamdani has promised to tax millionaires to pay for expanded social programmes. "I hope it works out for New York," Trump said of Mamdani on Wednesday. "We'll help him a little bit, maybe." In his election night speech, Mamdani addressed Trump directly, telling him to "turn the volume up" on his television to hear the enthusiasm of his supporters. He again spoke of the president in his remarks on Wednesday, saying he would not "mince my words" when it comes to Trump. But he also acknowledged he would always leave a "door open" to have conversations with the Trump administration to discuss his priorities, such as bringing down the cost of living. In both his victory speech and his first press conference, Mamdani spoke at length of his plans to deliver on signature campaign promises like free buses and freezing the cost of rent stabilised apartments. Mamdani named several members of his transition team: Lina Khan, the former Federal Trade Commission chair; Elana Leopold, who worked for former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio; and Maria Torres-Springer, a former deputy mayor in the outgoing Eric Adams administration. They will be tasked with helping Mamdani assemble his administration ahead of his 1 January 2026 inauguration.