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Surprising Warmth in the Oval: Trump Praises NYC Mayor‑Elect Zohran Mamdani After 30‑Minute Meeting

President Trump and New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani held an unexpectedly cordial 30‑minute Oval Office meeting. Mr. Trump praised Mamdani's focus on housing affordability and signaled he would likely help rather than hinder the city. Reporters pressed both men on prior insults and labels, but the exchange ended with cautious optimism and a shared willingness to cooperate on housing, public safety and other priorities.

09:48 AM, 11/22/2025Politics

President Donald Trump and New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani met in the Oval Office for about 30 minutes on Friday in a meeting that broke with recent public hostility between the two men. What began amid months of sharp exchanges ended with an unexpectedly cordial tone: Mr. Trump praised Mamdani's emphasis on affordability and signaled a willingness to cooperate on city priorities.

Before the joint appearance, the president told reporters that the private portion of their meeting produced more agreement than he had anticipated, pointing to Mamdani’s focus on housing affordability and his desire to build more housing.

"I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor," Mr. Trump said. "The better he does, the happier I am."

Mr. Trump said he believes Mamdani could win over some conservative voters while also appealing to liberal supporters: "I think he is going to surprise some conservative people," he said. The president also softened earlier threats to cut federal support to the city if Mamdani prevailed, adding: "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him. A big help."

Reporters repeatedly pressed Mamdani about prior public attacks on the president. On at least two occasions Mr. Trump interjected to deflect or steer the exchange — once joking that Mamdani could simply answer "yes" when asked whether he thinks Mr. Trump is a "fascist," and on another occasion shrugging off being called a "despot."

When asked whether he agreed with recent labels that painted Mamdani as a "communist" or worse, the president softened the rhetoric: "He's got views that [are] a little out there, but who knows. We're going to see what works," he said. Mamdani, who identifies publicly as a democratic socialist, reaffirmed that distinction during the visit.

Mr. Trump also rejected more extreme characterizations voiced by others, saying he did not view the mayor‑elect as a "jihadist" and calling Mamdani "a very rational person" who wants to see New York thrive. The conversation touched on crime and immigration enforcement; the president praised Mamdani's decision to retain New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, calling that choice "a good sign."

The pair signaled a willingness to work together on key city priorities—housing affordability, public safety and other local concerns—and left the meeting with a tone of cautious optimism that contrasted with recent rhetoric. Mr. Trump even said he would feel comfortable returning to live in New York under Mamdani's leadership.

While the encounter did not erase past attacks or political differences, it suggested both men are prepared to give cooperation a chance as the new mayor prepares to take office.

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