US President Donald Trump has announced that prominent academic and political analyst Professor Mahmood Mamdani is expected to visit the White House on Friday, an unexpected development that has sparked speculation about a potential easing of tensions between the two figures.
Trump made the remarks during a brief interaction with reporters, describing the planned meeting as “a positive step forward” and suggesting that both sides were open to dialogue after months of public disagreements.
Mamdani, known globally for his critical views on US foreign policy, has not yet confirmed the visit publicly. However, sources close to his team say discussions have been ongoing for weeks about holding a high-level conversation on governance, democracy, and global security.
Political observers say the potential meeting could signal a shift in tone, especially given the sharp intellectual and ideological differences between Trump and Mamdani. Some analysts describe it as a move toward “detente,” while others believe each side may be seeking strategic advantage.
The White House has not released an official agenda for the meeting, but insiders suggest the two may discuss US relations with Africa, academic freedom, and broader questions of international stability.