Anticipations were high heading into Donald Trump’s meeting with newly-elected New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, and while everyone expected fireworks between the at-odds pair, the results were surprisingly cordial, friendly — and at times, awkward.
ICYMI, Mamdani won New York’s mayoral race as the Democrat candidate earlier this month after a whirlwind campaign that included multiple barbs directed the president’s way.
Following his win, Mamdani was whisked off to the White House for an official meeting with staunch Republican Trump, where despite their political differences, they pledged to work together on issues like cost-of-living and housing in America’s most populous city.
Like many of Trump’s White House appearances, the meeting was filled with surprising moments. Here are the biggest takeaways.
Trump showered Mamdani with praise
Despite previously tearing into the mayor, Trump appeared chuffed to be alongside Mamdani while the pair fielded press questions from behind the Oval Desk.
“We just had a great meeting. I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor,” Trump told reporters.
Acknowledging their place on different sides of the political aisle, Trump said Mamdani “has views that are a little out there” but promised that the mayor-elect was “going to surprise some conservative people”.
On issues like lowering groceries and rent and reducing crime, Trump pledged to “be helping [Mamdani], not hurting him because I want New York City to be great”.
Going a step further, Trump said he would “absolutely” feel comfortable living in New York City under Mamdani’s administration, “especially after the meeting”.
Mamdani refused to walk back his description of Trump as a “fascist”
An awkward moment came when a reporter asked if Mamdani still believes Trump is a fascist, a term he had levelled against the president throughout his campaign.
As he was attempting to answer, Trump interrupted Mamdani to assure him, “you can just say yes, it’s easier than explaining it”. Trump then smiled and nudged Mamdani on the arm as he replied, “Okay, alright” while reporters chuckled. “I don’t mind,” the president added.
Trump said he will ‘stick up for’ Mamdani
The pair again navigated an awkward moment when a reporter asked Mamdani why he flew to the White House instead of taking the “greener” option of a train.
While the mayor-elect used the moment to tout his plans for free bus fares in New York City, Trump reminded the press that travelling by plane is “a lot quicker”.
“I’ll stick up for you,” Trump added.
The bizarrely chummy conference came despite all the barbs previously traded between the pair during the mayoral race. Trump had shared posts calling Mamdani a “communist lunatic”, and following his victory, the president said those who voted for Mamdani were “stupid”.
Trump even went so far as to threaten to cut federal funds to New York City if Mamdani was elected, but the mayor also got a swipe in after his win. During his victory speech on election night, Mamdani told the president to “turn the volume up” on his message about improving the “city that gave rise to him”.
Those barbs appeared to be water under the bridge after the White House meeting. “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump said.
“I don’t care about affiliations or parties or anything else. I’ll be cheering for him.”
Lead images: Getty Images and Truth Social
The post Big Backpedals & ‘Fascist’ Side-Steps: Key Takeaways From The Trump-Mamdani Meeting appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
