WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump indicated Sunday that he plans to meet with New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and said they'll “work something out," in what could be a detente for the Republican president and Democratic political star who have cast each other as political foils.
Trump has for months slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a “communist” and predicting the ruin of his hometown, New York, if the democratic socialist was elected. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalized American citizen, and to pull federal money from the city.
Mamdani rose from an obscure state lawmaker to become a social media star and symbol of the resistance against Trump during his mayoral campaign. He campaigned on an array of progressive policies and a message that was stark in its opposition to the aggressive, anti-immigrant agenda Trump has rolled out in his second White House term.
The 34-year-old appealed to a broad cross-section of New Yorkers and defeated one of its political heavyweights, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, by nearly 9 percentage points.
In his election night victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president. But the day after, while speaking about his plans for “Trump-proofing” New York once he takes office in January, the incoming mayor also said he was willing to work with anyone, including the president, if it can help New Yorkers.
Representatives for Mamdani did not have an immediate comment Sunday night on the president’s remarks, but a spokesperson pointed to the mayor-elect’s remarks last week when he said he planned to reach out to the White House “because this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of the city.”
Trump expressed a similar sentiment on Sunday.
“The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us. We’ll work something out," Trump told reporters as he prepared to fly back to Washington after spending the weekend in Florida.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified shortly after that Trump was referring to Mamdani and said no date had been set for such a meeting.
"We want to see everything work out well for New York,” Trump said.
Trump's comments came as he also said the U.S. may hold discussions soon with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after a military buildup near the South American country: “I’ll talk to anybody," Trump said.
Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz in New York contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach Fla., on his way back to the White House, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani departs El Hotel Caribe Hilton after attending the SOMOS Puerto Rico conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The “Bridesmaids” gathered for a rehearsal the day before the big show, but this time they're playing the role of awards presenter. Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig and Ellie Kemper took the stage at the Dolby Theatre Saturday to run through their lines one last time.
The Associated Press got a behind the scenes look at some of what’s to come during the 98th Oscars Sunday, with a few big caveats: What they’re presenting and what they’ll be saying are to be left surprises.
But 15 years after “Bridesmaids” hit theaters, the actors looked happy to be together again, laughing and chatting and blowing kisses to the theoretical audience. Wiig especially had Byrne in stitches as they got ready for their cue. But when it came for the rehearsal Wiig turned de factor director, asking about lighting timings and camera cuts to make sure that their bit landed just right.
Byrne is in the unusual position of also being a nominee Sunday for her leading performance in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.” All were dressed informally, except for their sky-high show heels.
The male actors tend to be more casual with their footwear. Both Javier Bardem and Adrien Brody wore sneakers. Most of the presenters are also in and out of the room fairly quickly with their power publicists and agents ushering them along, but Bardem ventured into the auditorium to greet and chat with Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor and CEO Bill Kramer.
“Am I fired?” he asked with a laugh. “I promise I’ll learn the lines.”
Brody, who won best actor last year, ran through his script several times. Sporting a black T-shirt with “Hollywood” printed on the front in big, white, block letters, a black baseball hat and red-rimmed sunglasses, he looked serious as he knelt and discussed something with a producer.
There was an air of calm inside the theater with just 24 hours until showtime as producers, technicians and camera operators milled about going through their tasks. Rehearsals have been going on for a few days now, and more will continue into the evening. Friday, the theater hosted the rehearsal for “I Lied to You,” from “Sinners,” which Kramer promised will be “epic.”
“There’s not a bad beat,” Kramer said. “It’s a stacked show.”
In addition to a planned Marvel reunion, likely with Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, producers said there will also be a “Moulin Rouge!” reunion with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor taking the stage together.
The Academy Awards, hosted again by Conan O'Brien, will be held on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The show, to be broadcast live by ABC, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
For more coverage of the 2026 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Melissa McCarthy’s last name in the first paragraph.
A person walks past Oscar statues wrapped in plastic in the red carpet area of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Friday, March 13, 2026, during preparations for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Alex Cortez polishes the base of an Oscar statue at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in preparation for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Workers install an Oscar statue at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in preparation for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Oscar statue is protected by plastic in the red carpet area, Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in preparation for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Motion picture painter Chance Gugler, whose father was also a film set painter who worked on over 80 movies, touches up an Oscars backdrop on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, in preparation for Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
