Following months of barbs, US President Donald Trump and incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met cordially at the White House on Friday, where they exchanged pleasantries and committed to working together to address crime and affordability in the nation’s largest city.
The ideological adversaries — a Republican billionaire and a young democratic socialist — have engaged in disputes over issues including immigration and economic policy. It was evident that the two had a rapport at their initial meeting.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old state legislator, positioned himself before Trump’s desk. At the same time, the 79-year-old president smiled at him and affectionately caressed his arm, despite having recently mischaracterized Mamdani as an antisemitic communist, among other derogatory remarks.
“We concur on significantly more than I anticipated,” Trump remarked after permitting media and cameras into the Oval Office following a private meeting with the mayor-elect. “We share a common desire: to see our beloved city thrive.”
The Oval Office meeting, during which Trump has occasionally humiliated or reprimanded visiting heads of state, significantly exceeded Trump’s prior forecast on Friday that it would be “quite cordial.”
The men, representing two distinct generations of New Yorkers, revealed no novel policies, other than what appeared to be the initiation of an unforeseen, politically transformative professional alliance.
Mamdani expressed his appreciation for the president, noting that their meeting concentrated not on areas of contention, of which there are several, but rather on their common objective of assisting New Yorkers.
Only 26 per cent of Americans believe Trump is effectively managing the cost of living, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Concurrently, Mamdani, pledging a moratorium on rents along with complimentary public transportation and daycare, emerged as one of numerous Democratic winners nationwide in the recent elections. It was one of the most disheartening nights experienced by Republicans this year, and Trump was not anticipated to appreciate the reminder brought by a visit from one of the most notable Democratic victors.
However, the president, who gained prominence as a New York real estate developer, expressed enthusiasm at Mamdani’s advocacy for increased housing in the city he will govern starting January 1. Trump was pleased to learn that a segment of New Yorkers who supported him in the previous presidential election subsequently voted for Mamdani.
“In our discussions with voters who supported President Trump, they expressed concerns regarding the cost of living,” Mamdani stated.
Trump, who claims to be focusing more on affordability and inflation, stated, “Some of his ideas align with mine,” he elaborated. “The more successful he is, the more content I become.”
Mamdani and Trump dismiss their previous insults with laughter.
As Mamdani rose in the polls and triumphed on 4 November, Trump threatened to revoke federal assistance to New York City. Mamdani has consistently condemned Trump’s commitment to enhance federal immigration enforcement in a city where 40% of the population is foreign-born.
In the weeks preceding their encounter, Trump characterised Mamdani as a “radical left lunatic,” a communist, and a “Jew hater.”
Mamdani advocates for Nordic-style democratic socialism, rather than communism. Despite being a fervent critic of Israel, he received endorsements from notable Jewish politicians, including Jewish personnel in his new cabinet, namely New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and has consistently denounced antisemitism.
Less than an hour after their initial in-person meeting, Trump consistently supported Mamdani in responding to incisive questions from the press. The duo chuckled at some of their more acerbic remarks when journalists recalled their previous statements about one another.
“I have been labeled far worse than a despot,” Trump remarked with a grin. “It is not particularly insulting, but I believe he will reconsider once we begin collaborating.”
Mamdani was asked whether he still saw Trump as a fascist.
“That is acceptable; you may simply respond with ‘yes,'” Trump interjected, exchanging smiles with Mamdani and touching his arm twice. “It is simpler than elucidating it.”
Trump characterises Mamdani as ‘a really rational individual.’
Trump also supported Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and will be New York City’s inaugural Muslim mayor, against the Islamophobic slurs he has encountered. A reporter inquired of Trump whether he believed he had “a jihadist” in his vicinity.
“No, I do not,” Trump stated while Mamdani observed. “I encountered a man who is exceptionally rational.”
Certain politicians and commentators were perplexed by the cordiality of the broadcast. A few Republicans expressed continued distrust in Mamdani, despite Trump’s recent endorsement.
“What just transpired?” U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, posted on social media, sharing footage of a moment between Trump and Mamdani during the meeting.
Trump consistently implored New Yorkers to refrain from voting for Mamdani, cautioning that it would result in calamity for a city already depicted as a crime-infested dystopia by conservative media, despite its status as one of the safest large cities in the nation. Following his initial presidential term, Trump relocated from Manhattan to Florida to establish residency.
A reporter inquired whether Trump would contemplate returning to his birthplace with Mamdani in charge.
“Indeed, I would,” Trump stated, “particularly following the meeting.”
