Ema Alice: President Trump on Friday offered praise for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) after what both described as a “productive” meeting at the White House — a sharp contrast to Trump’s earlier attacks in which he repeatedly labeled Mamdani a “communist.”
“I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am,” Trump said from the Oval Office, with Mamdani standing beside him. “There’s no difference in party, there’s no difference in anything. And we’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York.”
Trump later described Mamdani as “rational” and added that he would be cheering for him once he assumes office.
Trump said the two discussed housing and ways to lower the cost of food and energy.
Mamdani said they also talked about immigration enforcement in the city. He has previously raised concerns about the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in New York.
Asked about his past attacks on Mamdani — including calling him a “communist” — Trump suggested the mayor-elect might modify some of his views and even win over conservatives.
“He’s got views that are a little out there, but who knows. I mean, we’re going to see what works. He’s going to change, also. I changed a lot,” Trump said. “I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
Mamdani was also asked about his criticism of Trump, including calling him a “despot.” Mamdani said that despite ideological differences, he and Trump agreed on affordability and reducing costs.
“I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” Trump responded.
The friendly tone between the two men came as a surprise given their previously hostile rhetoric.
For months, Trump attacked Mamdani — a democratic socialist — as a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funds from New York City if Mamdani enacted certain policies. In the final days of the mayoral race, Trump urged voters to support former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
Mamdani built his campaign around affordability and lowering living costs — the same issue that helped Democrats win statewide races in Virginia and New Jersey. Still, Mamdani has pledged to resist any attempts by Trump to cut funding or exert federal pressure on the city.
During their roughly 30-minute appearance before reporters, journalists repeatedly tried to get the two men to criticize each other. But both leaders emphasized they were focused on improving New York City, regardless of political differences.
When a reporter asked Mamdani if he still believed Trump was a fascist, Trump interjected, patted Mamdani on the arm, and said he could “just say yes.”
“It’s easier than explaining,” Trump joked.
Asked whether New Yorkers “love President Trump,” Mamdani replied that residents want an affordable city.
Another reporter asked Trump if he was standing next to a “jihadist,” a label Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) used for Mamdani.
“No, I don’t. … I met with a man who is a very rational person,” Trump said. “I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”
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