U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met at the White House on Friday in what many expected to be a combustible, confrontational showdown. Instead, the Oval Office encounter produced something bordering on a political bromance, as the two men publicly praised each other and emphasized shared priorities rather than the bitter rhetoric that had defined their past exchanges.
Trump, who once branded Mamdani a “100 per cent Communist Lunatic” and questioned his citizenship, appeared unusually warm toward the democratic socialist, repeatedly saying he was impressed by Mamdani’s focus on affordability, housing and everyday costs — the same issues Trump leveraged during his own 2024 campaign. “I think he is going to surprise some conservative people,” the president said, calling the meeting “great” and vowing to work with him to “make everybody’s dream come true” in New York.
Mamdani, who had proudly declared he would be “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” struck a conciliatory tone as well, saying their discussion focused not on ideological disagreements but on “our shared purpose in serving New Yorkers.” He acknowledged “many disagreements” with Trump but insisted Friday’s dialogue was constructive.
The president even stepped in repeatedly to shield Mamdani from pointed questions. When reporters pressed the mayor-elect on whether he still believed Trump acted like a fascist, Trump interjected, “That’s OK. You can just say yes. It’s easier. I don’t mind.” He also rushed to Mamdani’s defence when asked why he flew to Washington instead of taking lower-emission transportation.
The pair said they discussed ways to make New York more affordable, including grocery prices, utilities and housing — issues that helped propel Mamdani to victory and contributed to Trump’s appeal among frustrated voters. The president hinted that he had been prepared to restrict federal funding to New York City if relations soured but said Friday he no longer believed that would be necessary.
The cordial tone marked a striking reversal from Trump’s rhetoric during the mayoral race, when he endorsed Mamdani’s rival, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and warned New York had “ZERO chance of success” under Mamdani’s leadership. He had also threatened to have Mamdani arrested over immigration policy and cast him as a danger to Trump’s hometown.
Despite that tension, Trump now seems eager to claim him as an unexpected political asset, predicting Mamdani “will prove to be one of the best things to ever happen to our great Republican Party” as Democrats remain divided over his far-left platform.
For Mamdani, the meeting offered a high-profile moment on the national stage — an opportunity to show he can confront the president directly while also cooperating where possible. For Trump, the exchange allowed him to highlight affordability concerns at a time when he faces pressure to address the rising cost of living.
Even seasoned observers were caught off guard by the lack of fireworks. The president has had several volatile Oval Office encounters this year, including a tense clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a dim-lit meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by a controversial video. But on Friday, Trump and Mamdani struck a tone that was unexpectedly calm, even collegial — with Trump going so far as to endorse Mamdani’s push for more housing. “People would be shocked,” he said, “but I want to see the same thing.”
Whether the détente lasts remains uncertain. A senior administration official said Trump still hasn’t ruled out using federal funding as leverage if needed. But for now, at least, one of Trump’s most unlikely political dynamics has shifted from open hostility to surprising harmony.