Zohran Mamdani hasn’t softened his view of Donald Trump — not even after their first sit-down at the White House. The New York City mayor-elect said he still believes Trump is a fascist and a despot, but he also sees their meeting as a chance to work together on something New Yorkers care about most: the cost of living.
The two spent months hurling insults during the campaign. Yet on Friday, they appeared surprisingly cordial. Trump told reporters he’d be “cheering” for Mamdani, while Mamdani called the discussion “productive.”
When reporters pressed him on his past comments, Mamdani didn’t dodge. He said he told Trump directly that his views hadn’t changed. Trump even joked about it, telling him it’s easier to “just say it” than explain it.
Speaking on Meet the Press, Mamdani said he appreciated that their conversation wasn’t sugar-coated. They disagreed openly, but they also zeroed in on shared concerns — mainly the crushing cost of living facing millions of New Yorkers.
He said he didn’t walk into the Oval Office to score political points. He went to find common ground. That mindset, he said, is why the meeting ended up far friendlier than many expected. He spent his campaign talking to New Yorkers who voted for Trump and found the same answer repeated again and again: life is too expensive. That became the cornerstone of his pitch to the president.
The political tension isn’t new. Trump spent weeks calling Mamdani a “communist lunatic,” even threatening to cut federal funds if he won. Mamdani fired back, at one point calling Trump a despot. Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo in the final hours of the race, but voters still chose Mamdani.
Now both men say they want to move past the drama — at least enough to get work done.
They also discussed Trump’s recent habit of sending National Guard troops into major cities. Mamdani didn’t reveal whether Trump promised not to do the same in New York, but he said he trusts the NYPD to handle public safety without federal troops.
Trump kept his answer short when asked if he’d send troops to New York: “If they need it.”
Mamdani’s broader agenda isn’t simple. One of his biggest campaign promises is a tax increase on the city’s highest earners to fund major priorities. That won’t happen without Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers. Mamdani wouldn’t say whether Hochul has agreed, only that both are committed to making New York more affordable.
He also addressed his relationship with national Democratic leaders. Many stayed quiet during the campaign — Chuck Schumer never endorsed him, and Hakeem Jeffries waited until the final stretch. Still, Mamdani urged local Democratic Socialists not to challenge Jeffries in a primary and said he’d support Jeffries for House Speaker if Democrats win back the majority.
Mamdani also spoke with former President Barack Obama after his victory. Their conversation, he said, focused on what it takes to inspire hope — and then actually deliver on it.
In short, Mamdani hasn’t changed his mind about Trump. But he’s willing to sit at the same table if it means easing the financial strain on New Yorkers.
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