Highlights:
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Trump and Zohran Mamdani adopted a cooperative tone despite earlier public clashes.
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Both emphasized affordability, inflation pressures, and New York City’s cost-of-living concerns.
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Trump avoided escalating past campaign remarks and publicly praised Mamdani.
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Public safety and immigration discussions showed overlapping priorities.
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The cordial exchange may affect Republican strategies for the 2026 midterms.
President Trump met New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday (21). The meeting drew widespread attention because both leaders had exchanged sharp words during the campaign. Mamdani previously described Trump as a “despot” in his victory speech, and Trump’s team had mocked Mamdani as a “communist.” Many anticipated a tense encounter.
Instead, the Oval Office event was noticeably cordial. Trump sat at the Resolute Desk while Mamdani stood to his right, and both appeared relaxed as they greeted reporters. At one point, Trump said he hoped Mamdani would be a “really great mayor” and added that he was “confident that he can do a very good job.”
Reporters asked about their earlier criticisms, but neither attempted to escalate the issue. When Mamdani was asked whether he still believed Trump was fascist, Trump tapped him on the arm and joked, “That’s ok, you can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining.” It was the closest either came to revisiting the earlier conflict.
Trump also rejected a question referencing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s comment calling Mamdani a jihadist. “No, I don’t,” Trump responded, dismissing the remark as routine campaign language.
Trump and Mamdani Highlight Affordability as Shared Priority
Affordability formed the central theme of the meeting. Mamdani campaigned heavily on housing issues, including a proposal to freeze rent increases for certain categories of apartments. Trump, who focused his re-election messaging on inflation and rising everyday costs, emphasized similar concerns.
Both acknowledged the pressure on New York residents and the broader national conversation about cost of living. Their overlapping priorities signaled potential cooperation between the city and federal government.
The alignment on affordability reinforced Trump’s focus on economic issues and positioned Mamdani’s housing agenda as part of the larger national debate about inflation and household spending.
Trump Discusses Crime and Immigration in Meeting
Public safety and immigration were also part of the conversation. Mamdani raised his concerns about federal immigration raids in New York City. Trump noted that the meeting focused more on crime than immigration, saying, “He doesn’t want to see crime, and I don’t want to see crime.” Trump added that he would personally feel safe in a New York City led by Mamdani.
The shared stance suggested room for coordination on local-federal enforcement matters, particularly around safety and urban policy.
Trump and Mamdani Reflect on Shared Queens Background
Another point of connection came from personal history. Both Trump and Mamdani have roots in Queens. Trump grew up in Jamaica Estates, and Mamdani lives in Astoria. Mamdani emphasized their shared love for New York City, while Trump spoke warmly about his hometown.
This shared background contributed to the unexpectedly positive tone of the meeting and provided an informal bridge between two leaders with contrasting political ideologies.
Trump’s Remarks May Shift Republican Strategy for 2026
The meeting may have broader political effects ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republican strategists had planned to use Mamdani as an example of what they call radical Democratic politics. However, Trump’s public praise complicates that approach.
“He’ll surprise some conservative people,” Trump said, signaling openness to Mamdani’s leadership despite ideological differences.
Whether the goodwill continues after Mamdani takes office on January 1 remains uncertain. For now, Trump concluded the meeting by stating, “I’ll be cheering for him.”
