WASHINGTON: After months of trading insults, U.S. President Donald Trump and incoming New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani smiled at each other, swapped compliments and pledged to collaborate on tackling crime and affordability in the nation’s biggest city during an unexpectedly warm meeting at the White House on Friday.
The political opposites, a Republican billionaire president and a young democratic socialist — have clashed on immigration, economic policy, and ideology. But in their first face-to-face encounter, the two appeared to forge a genuine rapport.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old state lawmaker, stood beside Trump’s desk as the 79-year-old president smiled up at him and tapped him warmly on the arm – a stunning contrast from Trump’s recent false portrayals of Mamdani as an antisemitic communist.
“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump said after allowing cameras into the Oval Office following their private conversation. “We have one thing in common: We want this city of ours that we love to do very well.”
The Oval Office meeting, a setting where Trump has occasionally embarrassed or chastised foreign leaders was far friendlier than the “quite cordial” tone Trump had predicted earlier in the day.
The two men, separated by ideology and generation but united by their New York roots, announced no major policy changes. But the encounter appeared to launch an unexpected political partnership with the potential to influence national politics.
“What I appreciate about the president is that the meeting focused not on our disagreements which are many, but on the shared purpose of serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.
Just 26% of Americans say Trump is managing the cost of living effectively, according to a WNN/Ipsos poll. Meanwhile, Mamdani — who campaigned on freezing rents and making buses and childcare free was part of a wave of Democratic victories earlier this month, a major blow for Republicans. Trump had not been expected to enjoy a visit from one of the most prominent Democratic winners.
Yet Trump brightened at Mamdani’s push for more affordable housing. He was also pleased to hear that many New Yorkers who voted for him last year had backed Mamdani in the mayoral race.
“When we spoke to Trump voters, they talked about the cost of living,” Mamdani noted.
Trump nodded: “Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have. The better he does, the happier I am.”
THE TWO LAUGH OFF THEIR PAST INSULTS
In the run-up to the November 4 election, Trump had threatened to strip federal funding from New York City if Mamdani won. Mamdani, for his part, had sharply criticized Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda in a city where nearly 40% of residents are foreign-born.
Before meeting, Trump had labeled Mamdani a “radical left lunatic,” a communist, and a “Jew hater.”
Mamdani, however, champions Nordic-style democratic socialism not communism and, while critical of Israel, he was endorsed by several Jewish politicians and will bring Jewish staff into his administration, including incoming NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. He has repeatedly condemned antisemitism.
Yet less than an hour into their meeting, Trump found himself defending Mamdani from pointed press questions. The pair laughed when reminded of their earlier attacks on each other.
“I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” Trump joked. “So it’s not that insulting. But I think he’ll change his mind once we work together.”
When Mamdani was asked if he still considered Trump a fascist, Trump interjected: “That’s OK, you can just say ‘yes.’ It’s easier than explaining it,” he said, grinning and patting Mamdani’s arm.
TRUMP DEFENDS MAMDANI AGAINST BIGOTED SLURS
When a reporter asked whether Trump believed he had “a jihadist” beside him, Trump responded calmly.
“No, I don’t,” he said. “I met with a man who’s a very rational person.”
Some politicians and commentators were stunned by the televised warmth. Several Republicans said they still distrusted Mamdani, despite Trump’s unexpected endorsement.
“What the heck just happened?” U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib wrote on social media, sharing a clip of the exchange.
Trump had previously warned voters that Mamdani would be a disaster for a New York City portrayed by conservative media as crime-ridden, despite crime levels near historic lows. After his first term, Trump moved to Florida, leaving Manhattan behind.
Asked whether he would consider moving back under Mamdani’s leadership, Trump surprised reporters.
“Yeah, I would,” he said. “Especially after the meeting.”
– Gram Hunicutt
