Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump’s first-ever meeting in the White House surprisingly ends on a positive note.
Considering the past attacks of the US President Trump on New York City’s newly elected mayor and Mamdani’s criticism of the Republican president, everyone was expecting a heated meeting, but the meeting dusted off all the speculations.
According to Al Jazeera, following a meeting with Mamdani, Trump, while speaking to media at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21, praised the NYC mayor for his successful campaign and accepted that the youngest mayor of the city “easily” beat his rival after an “incredible race.”
Trump, who warned to cut federal funding if Mamdani got elected, told reporters, “We’ve just had a great meeting, a really productive meeting. We have one thing in common: we want this city of ours that we love to do very well… I always feel very, very comfortable being in New York,” Trump said. “And I think much more so after the meeting. I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
The 34-year-old called the “meeting with the president a productive meeting” during which they discussed multiple issues, including rent, utilities, groceries and other cost-of-living issues.
Trump, who previously called Mamdani a “communist” after meeting, called him a “rational person” and said that he is cheering for him and would be happy if “he could be a spectacular success.”
In one of the light-hearted moments during the press conference, the 79-year-old allowed Mamdani to agree with his previous “fascist” comments.
When a reporter asked Mamdani if he still stood by his comments that Trump is a “fascist”, he began to explain his answer, but the US president smiled and tapped on his arm and told him to say yes, as “it’s easier” than explaining.
Mamdani nodded slowly, saying, "OK, yes."
Both Mamdani and Trump also agreed on working together to address issues of New York City.
