U.S. President Donald Trump issued a pointed message to New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday, telling him to “be nice” in the wake of his historic election victory. The remarks come after Mamdani delivered a fiery election night speech that directly challenged Trump and framed his win as part of a larger movement in the city.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, President Trump said he found Mamdani’s election night tone “angry” and suggested the mayor-elect should adopt a more cooperative approach if he hopes to govern effectively.

“I thought it was a very angry speech. Certainly angry toward me,”

Trump said. “And I think he should be nice to me. I’m sort of the one that has to approve a lot of things coming to him, so he’s off to a bad start.”

Mamdani, 34, made history Tuesday night as New York City’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. The upset victory energized progressives across the country and signaled growing momentum for left-wing politics in major urban centers.

In his victory speech, Mamdani addressed President Trump directly, telling supporters:
“To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.”
The crowd erupted, framing the statement as a rallying cry for solidarity among working-class and immigrant New Yorkers.

President Trump, however, described the line as “a very dangerous statement”, suggesting it could undermine future cooperation between City Hall and the White House.

“He has to be respectful of Washington,” Trump continued. “Because if he’s not, he doesn’t have a chance of succeeding. And I want to make the city succeed — I love New York.”

The president emphasized that his concern is with the city’s well-being, not the political fortunes of its new mayor. But his comments also carried a clear warning: federal support may not come easily if relations sour.

Political observers noted that Trump’s remarks indicate early tension between the incoming city administration and the federal government, especially given Mamdani’s campaign platform. The mayor-elect ran as an outspoken democratic socialist, prioritizing affordability, labor rights, and expanding public services.

His key proposals include:

• Free city bus service

• Universal childcare

• City-operated grocery stores to reduce food insecurity

• Expanded rent stabilization

• Raising the minimum wage

Supporters say the agenda will relieve pressure on working-class households struggling with the city’s high cost of living. Critics argue the proposals are unrealistic, expensive, and potentially damaging to the private sector.

Trump, meanwhile, stressed that he has always had a strong emotional connection to New York, despite political divisions.

“I really love New York,” he said. “I would like to see the new mayor do well.”

Whether the two leaders will clash or cooperate remains to be seen. Their early exchange has already set the tone for what could become one of the most closely watched city-federal relationships in the country over the next four years.