President Trump and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani reveal their close relationship despite political opposition

Mention of friendly relationship with Trump, a political opponent... “Send text messages sometimes”

(Los Angeles = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Kyung-yoon = Radical progressive democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, appeared on a late-night talk show and spoke about his friendly relationship with President Donald Trump, who has the opposite tendency.

According to the New York Post and Variety on the 29th (local time), Mayor Mamdani appeared on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live! (hereinafter referred to as the Kimmel Show) the night before and said, "The President and I disagree on many things, but there is one thing we agree on: this city (New York), and how much we love this city."

He added, “From the first meeting (with the President) in November, I thought about making it a place for New Yorkers, not a political place,” and added, “We talked about things that make life in New York easier, whether it’s the White House or Gracie Mansion (New York Mayor’s official residence).”

The unexpectedly close relationship between President Trump and Mayor Mamdani, who seemed to be on opposite sides politically, attracted attention.

The two met for the first time at the White House in November of last year, and again this month in February of this year.

At the third meeting held at Mayor Mamdani's invitation on the 21st, President Trump even praised him, saying, "You will be a great mayor" and "You have great potential."

Accordingly, political media outlet Politico analyzed that the New York Republican candidates were embarrassed by the two's 'bromance' (strong friendship between men).

Mayor Mamdani said he occasionally sends texts to President Trump to discuss city administration issues, including the redevelopment of Sunnyside Yard.

In response, Kimmel mischievously asked him to take a 'selfie' with himself and send it to the president, but Mayor Mamdani flatly refused, saying, "Jimmy, I love you, but I love housing policy more."

Kimmel is President Trump's representative nemesis, and the program faced the threat of being canceled after making a reference to Charlie Kirk last year and making a 'widow joke' about First Lady Melania Trump this year.