President Donald Trump met Friday with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a young democratic socialist, in the Oval Office, marking an unusual moment of civility between two generational political rivals.
Speaking to the press afterward, Trump appeared conciliatory, addressing past tensions while emphasizing areas of agreement.
When a reporter referenced Mamdani calling the president a “fascist,” Trump shrugged it off, saying, “You can call me it. That’s okay, you can just say it.”
Trump praised Mamdani, 34, who won a landslide victory earlier this month, as a potentially strong mayor.
“The better he does, the happier I am,” the president said. “I think he’s gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won’t surprise because they already like him.”
Mamdani highlighted shared priorities with Trump while maintaining his progressive stance.
“I am someone who is a democratic socialist,” Mamdani said. “I’ve been very open about that, and I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable.”
The discussion reportedly focused on housing, food prices, and energy costs. Trump noted that some of Mamdani’s proposals aligned with his own agenda, the Daily Mail reported.
“Some of his ideas are the same ones I have,” Trump said.
At times, Mamdani appeared uncomfortable with the president’s flattery, repeatedly steering the conversation back to affordability and city issues. He also spoke about ICE operations in New York and strategies to curb inflation’s impact on middle-class families.
The meeting was notable given their past confrontations. Trump had campaigned against Mamdani, endorsing former Governor Andrew Cuomo and publicly labeling Mamdani a “communist” and a “lunatic” before the election.
Trump had also warned of withholding federal funds if Mamdani won.
Despite that history, Trump indicated a willingness to cooperate. He suggested he would “absolutely” reside in a Mamdani-led New York and expressed confidence that the mayor-elect’s crime policies would align with law enforcement priorities.
Trump praised Mamdani’s choice of Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, noting her connection to his family.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the meeting as an example of Trump’s commitment to engaging across political lines.
“It speaks to the fact that President Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone and to try to do what’s right on behalf of the American people,” Leavitt said, highlighting the importance of dialogue in cities with contrasting political climates.
Both men share ties to Queens and maintain devoted followings. In private, Trump reportedly acknowledged Mamdani’s political skill and charisma. Mamdani said voters sought leaders who would address the city’s cost-of-living crisis, a point he emphasized during the meeting.
Observers noted the encounter as a rare instance of civility between a conservative president and a rising progressive figure, signaling a potential for bipartisan engagement on local issues despite national ideological divides.
