U.S. President, NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Hold Surprisingly Warm White House Meeting After Months of Clashes

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House, 21 November 2025.

After months of trading barbs in public, U.S. President Donald Trump and incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared unexpectedly cordial during a meeting at the White House on Friday, exchanging compliments and pledging to work together on shared priorities such as tackling crime and addressing affordability challenges in America’s largest city.

The two politicians — a 79-year-old Republican billionaire and a 34-year-old democratic socialist — have sharply disagreed on issues ranging from immigration to economic policy. Yet their first face-to-face encounter appeared to reset the tone. Standing beside President Trump’s desk, Mamdani smiled as the president warmly patted his arm, despite having previously portrayed him in harsh and inaccurate terms, including calling him a “communist” and “antisemitic.”

“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” President Trump said as journalists entered the Oval Office at the end of their private discussion. “We have one thing in common: We want this city of ours that we love to do very well.”

The meeting, which President Trump had earlier predicted would be merely “cordial,” instead gave way to an affable exchange that hinted at the beginnings of a politically significant working relationship. Though no new policy announcements were made, both men highlighted shared priorities.

“What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting focused not on our areas of disagreement — which are many — but on the shared purpose we have in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.

Despite President Trump’s low approval ratings on cost-of-living issues — only 26% say he is managing inflation well, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll — he brightened at Mamdani’s call for increased housing in New York. The president was also pleased to learn that a number of New Yorkers who voted for him later supported Mamdani in the mayoral race.

“Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have,” President Trump said. “The better he does, the happier I am.”

Their recent history had suggested anything but harmony. As Mamdani surged toward victory on 4 November, President Trump repeatedly attacked him and even threatened to cut federal funding to New York. Mamdani, for his part, condemned President Trump’s plans to escalate immigration enforcement in a city where nearly 40% of residents are foreign-born.

In the weeks before their meeting, President Trump had labeled Mamdani a “radical left lunatic,” a “communist,” and a “Jew hater.” Mamdani, who supports democratic socialism rather than communism, has been endorsed by prominent Jewish politicians, is appointing Jewish staff — including incoming NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch — and has consistently condemned antisemitism.

Yet, in a striking reversal, President Trump repeatedly defended the mayor-elect during the press availability, even cutting in to answer difficult questions on his behalf. When asked whether he still considered President Trump a fascist, Mamdani hesitated before President Trump interjected playfully: “That’s OK, you can just say ‘yes’. It’s easier than explaining it.”

President Trump also rejected Islamophobic insinuations directed at Mamdani, who will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor. Responding to one reporter’s provocative question, President Trump said: “No, I don’t [believe that]. I met with a man who’s a very rational person.”

The display of warmth between the two surprised political observers, some of whom expressed skepticism — including Republicans unwilling to embrace Mamdani despite President Trump’s endorsement.

President Trump, who has often portrayed New York City as unsafe despite crime rates remaining among the lowest for major U.S. cities, was asked whether he might consider returning to live there under Mamdani’s leadership.

“Yeah, I would,” President Trump replied. “Especially after the meeting.”

Source: Reuters



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