President Trump met today with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office. Given Mamdani’s self-described democratic socialist positions and the sharp criticisms both men had previously directed at each other, most observers expected a tense and confrontational encounter. Instead, the joint press conference afterward proved remarkably cordial.
President Trump acknowledged Mamdani’s views are “a little out there,” yet expressed genuine confidence in his ability to lead the city. “I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump said. “I think he is gonna surprise some conservative people actually.”
Mayor-elect Mamdani described the meeting as productive and “focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City.” The two men said they discussed affordability of rent, groceries, utilities, and public safety. President Trump stressed that both agree public safety is the foundation for any successful city and that the most effective way to bring rents down is to dramatically increase the supply of housing.
On the topic of crime, Trump said Mamdani wants known murderers and drug dealers removed from the city “maybe more than I do,” adding, “So we’ll work together.” Throughout the press conference, Trump repeatedly emphasized that he and Mamdani found far more common ground than anticipated.
Reporters twice pressed Mamdani about his past descriptions of President Trump as a despot with a “fascist agenda.” Both times, Mamdani acknowledged the differences but immediately pivoted to shared priorities rather than retracting anything. On the second instance, as Mamdani began “I’ve spoken about…,” Trump interrupted with a grin and said, “That’s okay, you can just say yes.”