US President Donald Trump met New York City's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House in what was billed as the political showdown of the year - but instead became a praise fest. In his election victory speech, the self-described Democratic socialist mayor called Trump a 'despot.' And before Friday's meeting, the president's spokeswoman had billed Mamdani's visit as a 'communist coming to the White House'. But standing side-by-side in the Oval Office, the two men struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone. Over and over, both men emphasized their shared interest in addressing New York City's affordability crisis. They smiled often, and Trump even appeared amused as reporters asked him about the political attacks Mamdani had fired his way. The tone of the meeting appeared to strike political observers off guard, but offered a signal that both men understand that tackling the affordability crisis is critical to their political success. Whether the truce will last once Mamdani takes office on 1 January remains to be seen.
Until then, 'I'll be cheering for him,' Trump said. The conciliatory tone was evident from the moment they started speaking to the press. Facing the media after a private meeting, Mamdani stood to Trump's right with his hand clasped, as the president sat behind the Resolute Desk. Their body language was relaxed – particularly Trump. Not only did Trump refrain from attacking Mamdani, he actually praised him numerous times. Trump expressed hope that Mamdani would be a 'really great mayor'. Later, the president added he was 'confident that he can do a very good job'.
Mamdani and Trump traded political barbs throughout the mayoral election. A reporter in the room reminded the two men that Trump had called Mamdani a 'communist' and Mamdani referred to the president as a 'despot'. But today, both deflected multiple questions about their previous statements and pivoted back to praise.
Mamdani and Trump have something in common: they're both New Yorkers, and both have called the borough of Queens home. Trump's childhood home is in the neighborhood of Jamaica Estates, while Mamdani currently resides in Astoria. The two had a 'shared love' of the city, Mamdani said. Trump even suggested that in a different political lifetime, he would have liked to be mayor of New York himself.
Perhaps part of the reason the two men appeared in lock step on Friday was their shared focus on cost-of-living issues. During his election campaign, Mamdani maintained a laser-focus on the lack of affordable housing. Mamdani said he and the president had discussed how to 'deliver affordability to New Yorkers'. Facing one question about their differing views, the mayor-elect brought the conversation back to this topic.
There are still major political issues that could quickly put the two men back in opposition. But in the Oval Office while praising Mamdani, the president said he believed the new mayor would 'surprise some conservative people'. This could complicate Trump's own political party's strategy.
Until then, 'I'll be cheering for him,' Trump said. The conciliatory tone was evident from the moment they started speaking to the press. Facing the media after a private meeting, Mamdani stood to Trump's right with his hand clasped, as the president sat behind the Resolute Desk. Their body language was relaxed – particularly Trump. Not only did Trump refrain from attacking Mamdani, he actually praised him numerous times. Trump expressed hope that Mamdani would be a 'really great mayor'. Later, the president added he was 'confident that he can do a very good job'.
Mamdani and Trump traded political barbs throughout the mayoral election. A reporter in the room reminded the two men that Trump had called Mamdani a 'communist' and Mamdani referred to the president as a 'despot'. But today, both deflected multiple questions about their previous statements and pivoted back to praise.
Mamdani and Trump have something in common: they're both New Yorkers, and both have called the borough of Queens home. Trump's childhood home is in the neighborhood of Jamaica Estates, while Mamdani currently resides in Astoria. The two had a 'shared love' of the city, Mamdani said. Trump even suggested that in a different political lifetime, he would have liked to be mayor of New York himself.
Perhaps part of the reason the two men appeared in lock step on Friday was their shared focus on cost-of-living issues. During his election campaign, Mamdani maintained a laser-focus on the lack of affordable housing. Mamdani said he and the president had discussed how to 'deliver affordability to New Yorkers'. Facing one question about their differing views, the mayor-elect brought the conversation back to this topic.
There are still major political issues that could quickly put the two men back in opposition. But in the Oval Office while praising Mamdani, the president said he believed the new mayor would 'surprise some conservative people'. This could complicate Trump's own political party's strategy.
