NEW YORK, NY November 22, 2025 – Elle Bisgaard-Church, chief of staff to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, revealed new details about Friday’s high-profile Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, calling the discussion “productive” and focused on shared priorities like lowering the cost of living for New Yorkers.
In an on-camera interview with Spectrum News NY1 conducted near the White House, Bisgaard-Church explained that the Mamdani team entered the meeting with a disciplined agenda. “We have been laser focused on the cost of living, and we hoped we could find common ground with the President,” she said. “So we walked in disciplined, with all of the key points that we wanted to make sure to cover. And I think that it was productive.”
The comments provide the first public insight from Mamdani’s inner circle following the unusual bipartisan sit-down between the incoming Democratic Socialist mayor and the Republican president. Trump had earlier described the talks as “great” and “very productive,” emphasizing a mutual desire for New York City’s success.
Independent outlet Drop Site News highlighted the NY1 interview on X, underscoring the pragmatic tone from Mamdani’s team despite the stark ideological divide. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who pulled off a surprise victory in the 2025 mayoral race, has historically been a fierce critic of Trump policies.
While specific agreements remain undisclosed, the meeting signals potential areas of cooperation on urban issues such as housing affordability, infrastructure funding, and economic relief as Trump prepares for his second term.
The outreach has sparked debate within progressive circles, with some viewing it as necessary realpolitik and others wary of normalizing ties with the incoming administration. Bisgaard-Church’s positive assessment suggests Mamdani’s team sees value in direct federal engagement to deliver results for constituents.
Further comments from Mayor-elect Mamdani himself are expected in the coming days.
