CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Mamdani Calls Trump a “Fascist” Days After Surprisingly Cordial White House Meeting

Zohran Mamdani reiterated that he still considers Donald Trump a "fascist" and a "despot," even after a surprisingly cordial White House meeting. The two discussed cooperation on housing, food prices and cost-of-living issues, and Trump offered measured praise. Mamdani defended his decision to keep Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch—a move the White House welcomed—despite differences over whether to expand the department by 5,000 officers. He emphasized acknowledging disagreements while focusing on delivering results.

03:48 AM, 11/24/2025Politics
Mamdani Calls Trump a “Fascist” Days After Surprisingly Cordial White House Meeting

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reiterated that he considers Donald Trump a "fascist" and a "despot," even after an unexpectedly warm meeting between the two at the White House.

In a television interview on Sunday, Mamdani said he stood by his past statements and stressed the importance of being forthright about political disagreements.

"Everything that I've said in the past I continue to believe. I think it is important in our politics that we don't shy away from where we have disagreements."

In his victory speech on 4 November, Mamdani framed New York as a beacon in what he called a "moment of political darkness" and directly challenged the president:

"If there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. So, Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up."

Despite the intense rhetoric between them in recent months, the Oval Office meeting was notably cordial. The two men discussed cooperating on housing, food prices and other cost-of-living issues, and at times the president offered public praise for Mamdani's potential. Trump said he felt "very confident that he can do a good job" and suggested Mamdani might "surprise some conservative people, actually."

Mamdani described the meeting as pragmatic and outcome-focused, saying the president guided him through the cabinet offices and pointed out portraits of past presidents. "We were not shy about the places of disagreement about the politics that has brought us to this moment and we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on," he said.

Mamdani also defended his decision to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was appointed by former mayor Eric Adams. He credited Tisch with driving down crime across the five boroughs and beginning to address corruption at senior levels of the department.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, praised the move and said the White House was reassured by Mamdani's decision. Speaking to a national interviewer, Hassett said, "We are really reassured that [Mamdani has] kept the police commissioner. In previous administrations in New York, we have seen law and order really go south."

In an internal message to rank-and-file officers, Tisch acknowledged that she and the mayor-elect do not agree on every issue. She has supported a plan to hire 5,000 more uniformed officers; Mamdani has indicated he prefers to keep the department's head count unchanged.

Similar Articles

Trending