Both adopt markedly warmer tone after months of insults, catching many off guard
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump lavishly praised New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani after surprisingly cordial talks in the White House on Friday, defying expectations of a potentially tense meeting between the Republican billionaire and the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist.
The warmth displayed came in stark contrast to the barbs the pair have exchanged in recent months. Trump has caricatured Mamdani as an anti-Semitic communist, even threatening to strip him of his US citizenship, while Mamdani called Trump a “despot” in his election victory speech just weeks ago.
But the pair appeared to put these seemingly irrevocable differences aside – for one day at least – with Trump describing the “great meeting” as “really productive” when talking to reporters in the Oval Office with Mamdani standing by his side.
With many left unsure of what to make of the bizarrely chummy meeting between the political polar opposites, here are a few key takeaways:
Finding common ground
Trump and Mamdani exuded friendliness in their first get-together since the 34-year-old beat Democratic establishment party figures earlier this month, notably former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to become New York City’s mayor-elect.
Mamdani said ahead of his meeting with Trump that he was willing to “meet with anyone” to push forward his affordability agenda for the US’s largest city, saying that he and Trump shared some common ground in that they ran campaigns focused on the cost-of-living crisis.
“I will speak to everyone so long as it could stand to benefit an economic agenda for New Yorkers. And that’s where I will always make the case,” he said.
The approach appears to have paid off, with Trump saying he and Mamdani “agree on a lot more than I would have thought”, as he predicted success for his tenure leading New York.
“Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have,” said Trump, adding that some of his supporters also voted for Mamdani, who pitched in, saying “one in 10”.
Trump said of Mamdani: “He wants to have a safe New York, and ultimately, a safe New York in a great New York.” Later in the media conference, Trump doubled down on how Mamdani was keen to fight crime — echoing the emphasis on strong law enforcement that is a traditional Republican focus.
The US president also suggested that he agreed with Mamdani on housing.
“He said some very interesting things. He wants to see houses go up, a lot of apartments built,” Trump said. “People would be shocked, but I want to see the same thing.”
“I want to be helping him, not hurting him,” Trump said. “A big help”.
Praise and banter
But the apparent camaraderie extended beyond policy issues, with Trump also repeatedly praising Mamdani.
“I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great,” he said at one point.
At another point, Trump said: “The better he does, the happier I am. I feel very confident that he can do a very good job.”
Trump spoke of Mamdani’s election campaign and how he went from just 1 percent in the polls to upsetting Cuomo, first in the Democratic Party’s primary and then in the actual election. “It’s an amazing thing that he did,” the president said.
A reporter asked Trump if he would be comfortable living in New York City under Mamdani’s mayorship.
“Yeah, I would, I really would,” Trump responded instantly. “Especially after the meeting. Absolutely.”
Towards the end of the media conference, Trump described his impression of Mamdani after their meeting.
“I met with a man who is a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. I think he wants to make it greater than ever before.”
In one striking moment, Trump even gave Mamdani an easy out when the mayor-elect was asked by a reporter if he stood by his previous comments describing the president as a “despot” and “fascist”.
“That’s OK, you can just say ‘yes’,” Trump interjected. “It’s easier than explaining it.”
While striking a respectful tone when talking about Trump, Mamdani appeared to draw the line at actively praising him, with the compliments largely flowing one way.
Agencies