President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump and New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met Friday at the White House and focused more on their shared goals rather than their combustible differences.

The president has previously said Mamdani is a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job.” Mamdani has called Trump’s administration “authoritarian” and described himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”

At their first-ever meeting they discussed housing affordability and the cost of groceries and utilities, as Mamdani successfully used frustration over inflation to get elected, just as the president did in the 2024 election.

“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually,” said Trump. Asked if he’d be comfortable living in the city under the incoming mayor, the president said: “I really would, especially after the meeting."

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FAA warns all pilots of risks of flying over Venezuela due to ‘worsening security situation’

The agency said to “exercise caution” in the country’s airspace “due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity.”

The message said unspecified threats “could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes” as well as planes taking off and landing in the country and even aircraft on the ground.

The warning comes as Washington ramps up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. has conducted bomber flights up to the Venezuelan coast and sent an aircraft carrier to the region.

A former inspector general for the Department of Transportation said the FAA puts out this kind of notice anytime there is a military conflict.

“I wouldn’t take it as necessarily there’s any kind of attack is imminent, because I’ve seen these issued many times before. But as a pilot myself, I’d certainly heed it,” Mary Schiavo said.

Schiavo said the U.S. may be anticipating Venezuelan military action or it could be planning additional action against drug boats, and it’s hard to read into this notice and know what is behind it.

ConEd stock drops on heels of Trump and Mamdani meeting

The big loser in the meeting between Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani might be Consolidated Edison Inc., the New York City energy and utility company.

ConEd stock fell from $102.28, when the two began taking reporters’ questions, to close at $100.16. That was a 2% drop in roughly 15 minutes.

What spooked investors? Probably what Trump said.

“Remember, we talked about Con Edison,” the president said. “We’ve gotten fuel prices way down, but it hasn’t shown up in Con Edison. And we’re going to have to talk to them.”

Trump said ConEd has to lower its rates.

“Absolutely,” Mamdani said.

HHS to invest up to $100 million in mental health initiative

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that it will spend those funds on data testing the effects of innovative mental and behavioral health interventions.

The new initiative, Evidence-Based Validation & Innovation for Rapid Therapeutics in Behavioral Health, or EVIDENT, aims to use data to better predict which treatments will work best for individuals, the agency said.

“With robust data and novel therapies, we are paving the way for understanding the best uses of groundbreaking treatments and demystifying the field of mental health,” said Alicia Jackson, director of ARPA-H.

North Carolina governor presses Noem on immigration crackdown

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wants more answers from the Department of Homeland Security about the crackdown based in Charlotte over the past week that the department said has resulted in hundreds of arrests.

Stein wrote Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday criticizing what he called the “lack of transparency from federal officials regarding the actions and plans” of U.S. Customs and Border Protection since the effort began roughly a week ago.

The governor provided a dozen questions for Noem, including how long “Operation Charlotte’s Web” was expected to last. Local law enforcement in Charlotte said Thursday the operation appeared to be over, but a Homeland Security spokesperson said later that it would not end anytime soon.

Stein also wanted a list of all people arrested and or detained, including why they were picked up and any criminal histories they may have.

DHS didn’t immediately respond to an email Friday seeking a response.

No remarks from Mamdani in park near White House

Following his Oval Office meeting with Trump, Mamdani had been headed to talk to reporters in the park across the street from the White House.

But an official with his team told those gathered that the space was “not secure enough,” and canceled the gaggle.

It had been a scrum being organized on the fly, as teams of journalists hurried from the White House driveway space where many visitors speak with reporters after their meetings inside.

Curious onlookers had also clung around the fringes, hoping for a glimpse of the mayor-elect. As there are many days outside the White House, there were also several people — one in a hot pink, inflatable amphibious costume — waving signs bearing messages about a variety of unrelated issues including immigration enforcement and vaccination.

NYC’s outgoing mayor is a world away from White House meeting

As much of New York’s political class was glued to Mamdani and Trump, the city’s outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, had his focus on another matter: improving trade relations with the nation of Uzbekistan, where he is currently in the middle of a five-day trip.

At around 2 p.m. on Friday (1 a.m. Uzbek time), Adams shared a photo of himself beside the country’s trade minister in Tashkent. That visit is just the latest overseas trip for Adams, who spent four days in Israel last week and traveled to Albania last month. Adams says he is promoting economic and cultural ties.

His critics say he is shirking his mayoral responsibilities while taking advantage of taxpayer-funded globe-trotting. A self-described travel lover, Adams was indicted last year on corruption charges that included allegations he accepted flight upgrades from foreign interests. Those charges were ordered dismissed by Trump’s Justice Department.

Major political differences, but a lot of agreement in Trump-Mamdani meeting

It had been posited that Trump’s meeting with the mayor-elect could be a fiery display of opposites, but the president was full of praise — and pledges of cooperation — for Mamdani.

There were the jovial pats on the arm, as Mamdani stood alongside Trump seated at the desk, facing reporters.

There were smiles and a handshake. Color rose in Mamdani’s cheeks when he was asked if he still thought Trump was a fascist, as he’s previously referenced him — and Trump told him it was “OK” to just say “yes,” which Mamdani did.

Trump, a New York City native who despite now being a Florida resident, voiced his enduring love for the city. He also said he would be “very, very comfortable” returning there, especially now that he’s met with Mamdani, and that he would help the incoming mayor be successful.

“Ultimately, it’s for the good of New York,” Trump said, of the two men’s goals. “I don’t care about affiliations or parties or anything else. ... If he could be a spectacular success, I’d be very happy.”

Trump dismisses US Rep. Elise Stefanik’s criticisms of Mamdani

Trump played down Stefanik’s criticisms of Mamdani, saying the congresswoman is just “out there campaigning” as she runs for governor of New York.

“And you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign,” Trump said.

He continued, calling Mamdani “a very rational person” and said “I met with a man who really wants New York to be great again.”

Senate Armed Services chair says Trump’s Ukraine peace plan has ‘real problems’

The statement from Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, a strong supporter of Ukraine, represented high-profile pushback to Trump from within his own party as he advances a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine by offering favorable terms to Moscow.

“This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace,” Wicker said. “Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world’s most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin.”

Wicker added that Ukraine should be allowed to determine the size of its military, that Putin should not be rewarded with assurances from the U.S., and questioned whether Russia could be trusted to downscale its military.

IRS ordered to stop sharing taxpayer information with ICE

A federal court has barred the IRS from sharing data on millions of taxpayers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a stay on an agreement signed between Treasury and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to share information on taxpayers with ICE.

The Treasury Department has said the agreement will help carry out Trump’s agenda to secure U.S. borders and is part of his larger nationwide immigration crackdown, which has resulted in deportations, workplace raids and the use of an 18th century wartime law to deport Venezuelan migrants.

Trump says Zelenskyy will have to come to terms on new US peace proposal

“We think we have a way of getting peace,” Trump said. “He’s going to have to approve it.”

Zelenskyy suggested earlier on Friday that his country’s relationship with the United States is at a difficult inflection point as Trump said he would like answer from the Ukrainians by Thursday.

“Ukraine may soon find itself before a very difficult choice,” he said. “Either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter — the hardest one — and further risks.”

Asked about Zelenskyy’s uncertain comments, Trump alluded to his difficult meeting with the Ukrainian president in February that led to a brief rupture in the U.S-Ukraine relationship.

“You remember right in the Oval Office not so long ago?” Trump said. “I said you don’t have the cards.”

Trump says he’d live in Mamdani’s New York

Since the self-described democratic socialist’s election, several conservatives have suggested that middle class and wealthy New Yorkers may want to leave the city. But Trump isn’t one of them.

Asked if he’d be comfortable living in the city under the incoming mayor, the president said: “I really would, especially after the meeting,” Trump said.

He added that he picked up a lot of votes from Sen. Bernie Sanders, another self-described democratic socialist who unsuccessfully competed for the Democratic presidential nominations in 2016 and 2020.

“Bernie Sanders and I agreed on much more than people thought,” Trump said.

Trump predicts he and Mamdani will get along on crime

Trump says he and Mamdani discussed crime in New York City, without getting bogged down in their political differences over ICE.

“What we did is we discussed crime, more than ICE per se, we discussed crime. He doesn’t want to see crime and I don’t want to see crime,” Trump said. “And I have very little doubt that we’re not going to get along on that issue.”

Trump laughs off Mamdani’s calling him a ‘fascist’

There was a moment of levity, even on a topic that could have erupted into a major point of contention between Mamdani and Trump.

Asked by a journalist about his prior reference to Trump as a “fascist,” Mamdani started to respond about how he and the president have differing viewpoints — but Trump interrupted, and said it was OK for him to just acknowledge it.

“That’s OK, you can just say it,” Trump said, smiling and patting Mamdani on the arm.” “It’s easier than explaining it — I don’t mind!”

“Yes,” Mamdani said, smiling, in response to the questions.

Trump predicts Mamdani will change his views, mayor-elect doesn’t indicate he agrees

As Mamdani stood over his right shoulder after their meeting, Trump said he felt Mamdani “is going to change” on some of his views.

The mayor-elect showed no emotion on reaction on his face, even as Trump noted that “some of my views have changed” since he entered public office.

“I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people, actually,” Trump added.

Trump, Mamdani kick off appearance on friendly note

Though the Republican president needled Mamdani repeatedly during the campaign he was full of praise for the mayor-elect.

“We have one thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do incredibly well,” Trump said. He also praised Mamdani’s election performance, adding that he’d beaten “a lot of smart people” in the race.

New York City’s mayor-elect told reporters his meeting with President Donald Trump was productive, with the two leaders sharing a love of their shared hometown.

“I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers,” Mamdani said in the Oval Office.

Mamdani visit a curiosity for people gathered outside White House

Hoping for a glimpse, or offering their support, the sidewalk across the street from the White House was the zone for some welcoming the mayor-elect to Washington.

About 15 people passing by the complex paused, hoping to spot Mamdani as he arrived for his meeting with Trump.

Several waited outside of the south entrance, hoping to get his autograph. One woman, Brenda Vargas of Washington, held a sign reading “DC welcomes Mamdani con amor,” and told The Associated Press she appreciates his willingness to stand “up for the working class.”

When Mamdani arrived at Reagan National Airport earlier Friday, journalists filmed him posing with people for selfies.

Mamdani has arrived at the White House for meeting with Trump

The White House confirmed that the mayor-elect had arrived, but it wasn’t immediately clear if the meeting was underway.

It also wasn’t clear how Mamdani had entered the White House complex. He didn’t drive through the gate and up to the entrance that many visitors use, and where dozens of journalist were set up to document the moment.

The confirmation came shortly after White House communications director Steven Cheung posted on X a photo of the gathered throng of journalists, taken from inside the West Wing, with the comment, “Too late guys! Y’all are too slow!”

House Republicans push for Clintons to testify in Epstein probe

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have sent an attorney for former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dates for them to appear for interviews before the committee.

The committee had subpoenaed the Clintons earlier this year, but an attorney for the couple had proposed sending the committee a written statement of “what little information” they had on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter Friday, the committee rejected that offer and demanded that they appear in person.

Still, Congress has never been able to compel a former president to testify, though a number have voluntarily done so.

Ghislaine Maxwell avoids congressional interview by saying she will plead the Fifth

The House Oversight Committee has been trying for months to interview Maxwell, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for helping the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein traffic and sexually abuse teenage girls. But her attorneys have indicated to the committee that she will refuse to answer questions by declining to say anything that would self-incriminating.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. James Comer, told Politico that he would not send staff to do the interview since she only planned to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Democrats on the committee have also been looking into how Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, was transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp after she agreed to participate in an interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Supreme Court meets to weigh Trump’s birthright citizenship restrictions, blocked by lower courts

The Supreme Court is meeting in private Friday with a key issue on its agenda — Trump ’s birthright citizenship order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The justices could say as soon as Monday whether they will hear Trump’s appeal of lower court rulings that have uniformly struck down the citizenship restrictions. They have not taken effect anywhere in the United States.

If the court steps in now, the case would be argued in the spring, with a definitive ruling expected by early summer.

The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed on the first day of his second term in the White House, is part of his administration’s broad immigration crackdown. Other actions include immigration enforcement surges in several cities and the first peacetime invocation of the 18th century Alien Enemies Act.

? Read more about the Supreme Court’s meeting

Hegseth says he met Nigerian officials on Christian violence

The defense secretary said in a statement Friday that he welcomed Nigeria’s national security adviser to the Pentagon, where they “discussed ways to make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians.”

Hegseth posted a cordial photo on X of him meeting Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on Thursday.

That contrasted with Trump’s social media post earlier this month, which instructed the Pentagon to plan for possible military action in Nigeria and said the U.S. could go in “guns-a-blazing” to wipe out Islamic militants.

Experts say both Muslims and Christians are being killed in ongoing violence in the West African country.

Trump administration sues California over giving in-state tuition to immigrants in US illegally

The Trump administration has sued California for providing in-state college tuition, scholarships, and state-funded financial aid to students who don’t have legal status to be in the United States.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleges the practice harms U.S. citizens and encourages illegal immigration. Among the defendants are the state, top state officials, and the state’s two public university systems, the University of California and California State.

President Trump’s administration has filed similar lawsuits against policies in other states, including Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Kentucky and Texas. Half the country now has similar laws to California’s.

In June, after the administration sued, Texas ended its decades-old law. And Florida last year scrapped its law that allowed in-state tuition for high school graduates who weren’t in the country legally.

? Read more about the lawsuit against California

Putin says US plan for Ukraine could form the ‘basis’ for a final peace settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday cautiously welcomed a U.S. proposal to end Moscow’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine, saying it “could form the basis of a final peace settlement.”

Putin called the plan “a new version” and “a modernized plan” and said Moscow has received it. “I believe that it, too, could form the basis for a final peace settlement,” Putin said.

“But this text has not been discussed with us in any substantive way, and I can guess why,” Putin added. “The U.S. administration has so far been unable to secure the consent of the Ukrainian side. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and the dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.”

News from © The Associated Press, 2025