After months of trading political insults and ideological jabs, US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani surprised the political world on Friday by sharing smiles, compliments and a pledge to work together on the soaring cost of living during their first meeting at the White House.
The encounter between the Republican president and the 34-year-old democratic socialist -- two figures who have clashed sharply over immigration, policing and economic policy -- was markedly warmer than expected.
Standing beside Trump’s Resolute Desk, Mamdani appeared relaxed as the president patted his arm and praised him repeatedly, a striking shift from Trump’s earlier denunciations that labeled Mamdani a “communist,” “radical left lunatic” and “Jew hater.”
“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump told reporters as journalists were ushered into the Oval Office. “We want this city of ours that we love to do very well.”
Mamdani, who takes office on January 1, struck a diplomatic note. “What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting focused not on our disagreements, which are many, but on our shared purpose in serving New Yorkers,” he said.
Their private talks centered heavily on affordability, the core theme of Mamdani’s campaign and a growing vulnerability for Trump. Only 26% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Trump brightened at Mamdani’s calls for more housing and lower utility prices in the city. Both leaders took aim at New York utility giant Con Edison, saying the company must lower rates. “We are going to have to talk to them,” Trump said. “We have to get Con Edison to start lowering the rates.” Mamdani responded, “Absolutely.”
Con Edison later said it “welcomed the opportunity” to work with the mayor-elect on affordability.
Political reset for Trump
The meeting offered Trump an opportunity to shift headlines following weeks of damaging scrutiny tied to newly released files involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s affinity toward Mamdani -- a rising Democratic star who won a wave of progressive victories in local elections -- also stunned some in his own party.
“What the heck just happened?” asked Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib on social media, sharing a clip of the two men laughing together.
For Trump, the recalibrated tone may reflect both political necessity and personal familiarity. A former New York real estate developer, Trump noted that many of his supporters backed Mamdani in the mayoral race. “Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have,” he said.
The president also moved to defend Mamdani, who is Uganda-born and will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, when a reporter asked whether Trump believed he had “a jihadist” beside him. Trump replied firmly: “No, I don’t. I met with a man who’s a very rational person.”
Laughing off old insults
Even as reporters pressed them on their history of verbal combat, the two leaders exchanged smiles. When asked if Mamdani still believed the president was a fascist, Trump jumped in jokingly: “That’s OK, you can just say ‘yes’. It’s easier.”
Mamdani, for his part, did not echo Trump’s praise, but he maintained a respectful tone while reiterating concerns about the president’s immigration policies and their impact on the city.
Trump’s mood remained unusually genial. At one point, he defended Mamdani’s decision to fly -- rather than take a train -- to Washington: “I’ll stick up for you. It’s the fastest way.”
Body language suggests early rapport
The body language between the two political opposites signaled a level of ease rarely seen in Trump’s interactions with ideological adversaries. Trump repeatedly shook Mamdani’s hand, tapped his arm and even offered small, paternal-like gestures of approval.
The dynamic resembled the meetings Trump often holds with championship sports teams—a comparison reinforced by Trump’s remark that leading New York City is “a big deal.”
New political alliance?
Whether the cordiality endures is uncertain. Trump suggested Mamdani might “surprise some conservative people,” while Mamdani reiterated his plans for rent freezes, free buses and expanded childcare -- policies starkly opposed by Republicans.
But on Friday, both men appeared invested in projecting harmony around the nation’s most pressing issue: affordability.
“The better he does, the happier I am,” Trump said.
Asked whether he would consider returning to live in New York under Mamdani’s leadership, Trump responded: “Yeah, I would—especially after the meeting.”
