Trump and Mamdani Meet

November 25, 2025
James Savin

This past Friday, Democratic Socialist New York City Mayor–elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. During their hour–long meeting, they discussed a range of issues, particularly New York’s affordability crisis and the city’s immigration policies. Their press conference following the conversation left many shocked by how easily Trump seemed to take to Mamdani, especially the conservative media.

The two have exchanged barbs publicly in the past few months, as Trump called Mamdani a “communist lunatic,” and a “nut job,” and threatened to deport him, while Mamdani called him a “fascist,” and a “despot.” After Mamdani’s shocking runaway victory in the New York City mayoral election, defeating incumbent Eric Adams and former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, many conservatives have flown into a panic. The Oval Office meeting was expected to be an epic battle between the two men, as Fox News called the meeting a “Showdown with Socialism.” Yet, to everyone’s shock, Trump seemed friendly with Mamdani and even defended him against conservative–leaning journalists.

The closest Trump came to criticizing Mamdani was to say, “He's got views that are little out there.” Otherwise, Trump was extremely complimentary, telling the press he thinks Mamdani will be a “really great mayor,” and that he’s “confident that [Mamdani] can do a very good job.”

A journalist, referencing a statement made by Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is running for Governor of New York, asked, “Do you think you're standing next to a 'jihadist' right now in the Oval Office?” Trump quickly answered, “No, I don’t.”

Another reporter asked Mamdani, quoting his previous comments, whether he still thought the president was a fascist. Mamdani, beginning to answer the question, was cut off by Trump, who told him, smiling, “That's ok, you can just say yes. It's easier than explaining.”

Trump seemed in good spirits throughout the meeting, smiling constantly with very relaxed body language. Mamdani, in comparison, also seemed relaxed—though he toned down his usual grin to a faint smile. He was careful not to appear chummy with Trump, though it seems the president had no such qualms about making his admiration for Mamdani clear.

Trump said that he and Mamdani agreed on much more than he thought they would, even going on to say that he would feel safe living in a New York City led by Mamdani.

The president said he believed Mamdani would “surprise some conservative people,” and said that he would be “cheering for him.” This unexpected truce between the two bolsters Mamdani’s chances of avoiding the ire of the White House in his term, as Trump says, “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and we'll help him do a great job.”

Later, Mamdani told reporters what was discussed during the Oval Office meeting. “We spoke about things that all of us have been paying attention to for quite some time, whether we're speaking about housing or public transit or child care.”

Mamdani added that he is “confident that we're establishing a productive relationship,” and that “I can only take things one meeting at a time, one conversation at a time. And all I hoped to do in that conversation was to establish a working relationship and to have a productive meeting that focused on the work itself.”

Conservatives have been unsure how to react to the meeting, struggling to put on a united front. “Just one word—wow,” said Fox News Anchor David Asman. Mamdani and Trump “looked like best friends.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reassured them that the meeting was merely an illustration of Trump’s willingness to “meet with anybody.”

The meeting was bizarre, surprising both sides of the political aisle. Hopefully, it’s a sign that conservative and progressive leaders alike can learn to see past their differences and work together to make America a better place and ensuring the best for their constituents.