Key Concepts
- Affordability in New York City: A central theme, focusing on reducing costs for rent, groceries, and utilities.
- Bipartisan Cooperation: Emphasis on working together across party lines for the benefit of New York City.
- Economic Policy: Discussion of lowering oil prices, Walmart's Thanksgiving price comparison, and overall economic performance.
- Middle East Peace: President Trump's claims of achieving peace and his plans for disarmament.
- Ukraine War: President Trump's perspective on the war's origins, his proposed peace plan, and the human cost.
- Immigration and Safety: Discussions on removing "horrible people" and ensuring safe streets in New York City.
- Populist Politics: The mayor's acknowledgment of shared populist appeal with President Trump, focusing on cost of living.
Meeting Between President Trump and Mayor Adams
Shared Goal: A Better New York City
Both President Trump and Mayor Adams expressed a shared commitment to the well-being and prosperity of New York City. They highlighted their common goal of making the city "do very well" and delivering affordability to its residents.
Focus on Affordability
A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the need to address the cost of living crisis in New York City. Specific areas of concern included:
- Housing: The need to build more housing was mentioned as a key issue.
- Food Prices: President Trump cited Walmart's Thanksgiving price comparison, stating it was "exactly 25% less than last year," which he believes is good for New York and everyone.
- Oil Prices: President Trump claimed that oil prices have "come way down" and that any action he takes will be beneficial for New York by lowering these prices.
- Rent, Groceries, and Utilities: Mayor Adams specifically mentioned these as areas where New Yorkers are struggling and being "pushed out." He noted that one in four New Yorkers are living in poverty.
President Trump's Endorsement and Views on Mayor Adams
President Trump congratulated Mayor Adams on his "incredible race" and expressed confidence in his ability to do a "very good job." He suggested that Mayor Adams might "surprise some conservative people actually and some very liberal people." Trump stated that he is "going to be helping him" to achieve a "strong and very safe New York."
Mayor Adams' Perspective on the Meeting
Mayor Adams described the meeting as "productive" and focused on a "place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City." He appreciated the conversation and looks forward to working together to deliver affordability. He acknowledged that there are "many" areas of disagreement with President Trump but emphasized the "shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers." He also stated that he has been called "much worse than a despot" and believes President Trump might change his mind after they work together.
Political Commentary and Disagreements
Views on Mr. Montani
When asked about referring to Mr. Montani as a "communist," President Trump stated that Montani has "views a little out there" but that "who knows?" He added, "we're going to see what works or he's going to change also. We all change. I change a lot." He also indicated that the second part of the question regarding Montani arresting Prime Minister Netanyahu was not discussed.
Mayor Adams' Past Remarks on President Trump
When questioned about his previous remarks calling President Trump a "despot" who "betrayed the country" and accusing him of having a "fascist agenda," Mayor Adams stated that both he and President Trump are "very clear about our positions and our views." He reiterated his appreciation for the meeting focusing on shared purpose rather than "places of disagreement."
Middle East Peace and Disarmament
President Trump's Claims of Peace
President Trump asserted that "we actually have peace in the Middle East" and that the King of Saudi Arabia recently made a "contribution toward the United States of a trillion dollars," leading to "over 20 trillion dollars coming into" the US. He also stated that Hezbollah has been a "big problem in Lebanon" and that they are "working with everybody in the Middle East" to achieve peace. He claimed this is the first time in "3,000 years" that there has been peace in the Middle East.
Mayor Adams' Stance on Peace
Mayor Adams expressed a strong desire for peace in the Middle East, stating, "we desperately want it." He mentioned that when he spoke to New Yorkers who voted for President Trump, two major reasons cited were the desire for an "end to forever wars" and an end to taxpayer dollars funding human rights violations.
Disarmament Efforts
President Trump stated, "we are pushing forward total disarmament of Hamas and frankly everybody else."
Immigration and Federal Intervention
Differences on ICE Agents
The transcript touches upon differences regarding ICE agents in New York City, with Mayor Adams having previously called ICE a "rogue government entity."
Federal Troops and Safety
President Trump mentioned threatening to send federal troops to New York City. Both leaders agreed that they would "work them out" and that the ultimate goal is a "safe New York." President Trump emphasized that "if you don't have safe streets, it's not going to be a success." They agreed to work together to remove "horrible people" and "known murderers and known drug dealers." Mayor Adams stated he wants to get them out "maybe more than I do."
Political Styles and Campaign Inspiration
Populist Appeal
A reporter noted that both President Trump and Mayor Adams are "populist" and asked to what extent President Trump's campaign style inspired Mayor Adams.
Cost of Living as a Unifying Factor
Mayor Adams explained that the focus of his campaign has been on the "cost of living crisis." He observed that when he spoke to New Yorkers who voted for President Trump, the same issue of cost of living was repeatedly mentioned. He stated that politicians should "listen" to New Yorkers rather than "lecture" them. He looks forward to delivering on an "affordability agenda" in partnership with President Trump.
International Affairs
UK Prime Minister and Energy Issues
President Trump mentioned having a good relationship with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, calling him a "fine person." He noted that the UK has "big energy problems" with "windmills all over the place" and that their energy costs are "out of control." He also mentioned the UK's "big immigration problem."
Ukraine War
President Trump expressed his belief that the war in Ukraine "should have never happened" and "would have never happened if I was president." He stated that he has a plan to achieve peace and that he has spoken with "their people." He described the situation as "horrible" and lamented the loss of life, citing "25,000 soldiers" lost in the previous month and an average of "6 or 7,000 a week" between both sides. He mentioned having made "eight peace deals" in the past, including with countries like India, Pakistan, Congo, and Rwanda. He also noted his good relationship with President Putin. He blamed "the person also sitting right behind this desk" for the war.
Conclusion and Takeaways
The transcript reveals a meeting characterized by a stated desire for bipartisan cooperation on local issues, particularly addressing the cost of living in New York City. While President Trump offered strong support for Mayor Adams, past political disagreements and differing views on national and international matters were also evident. The discussion highlighted President Trump's focus on economic achievements and his claims of brokering peace in the Middle East, contrasted with Mayor Adams' emphasis on local affordability and listening to constituents. The conversation also touched upon sensitive topics like immigration and the war in Ukraine, with President Trump reiterating his belief that he could have prevented the latter. The underlying theme is a pragmatic approach to governance, where shared goals for New York City are prioritized despite political differences.
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