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Mamdani and President Trump
Top Highlights from Mamdani and Trump’s Oval Office Meeting
Washington, D.C. — The meeting between Donald Trump and New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, at the Oval Office turned into a surprisingly warm encounter between two prominent New Yorkers.
On November 21, Trump, the 79-year-old billionaire Republican president, warmly and repeatedly patted Mamdani’s hand. Mamdani, the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, stood beside the seated president. Mamdani — a state assembly member representing Queens, Trump’s hometown — repeatedly mentioned Trump’s strong performance in New York City during the 2024 presidential election.
These warm gestures were in stark contrast to months of heated exchanges in the press and on social media. Trump had once called for Mamdani’s arrest if he refused to support the administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown, and also declared that he would withhold federal funds from New York due to Mamdani’s left-leaning policies. Mamdani had described Trump as a fascist, and in his victory speech declared he was ready to confront Trump directly, including on immigration. (Trump has repeatedly imposed restrictions on entry from Muslim-majority countries, while Mamdani is set to become New York’s first Muslim mayor.)
During their first meeting, Trump said he was ready to live in Mamdani’s New York, while Mamdani said he looked forward to working with Trump to improve affordability in their shared hometown.
Trump and Mamdani met at the White House on November 21, 2025, where Trump congratulated the mayor-elect. The political rivals discussed New York City policies, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement.
Earlier, Mamdani told reporters:
“It was a productive meeting focused on a place we both love — New York City — and on the pressing need to make life more affordable for its residents.”
Key Takeaways:
Mamdani Received VIP Treatment—Unlike Zelensky
Trump remarked that the media buzz surrounding Mamdani’s first White House visit exceeded the attention given to many of his meetings with foreign heads of state.
Trump has a knack for dramatizing such meetings, whether through flattery or humiliation.
Mamdani Was Treated Like Royalty
Neither Trump nor Mamdani took the media’s bait when asked to attack one another.
A reporter asked Mamdani whether he still considered Trump a fascist. When Mamdani began to answer, Trump cut in:
Trump: “It’s okay, you can just say yes. It’s easier — easier than explaining. I don’t mind.”
Surprising Alignment on Affordability
Mamdani, who initiated the meeting, said he wanted to discuss rising living costs in New York. Despite disagreements over issues such as federal funding cuts and ICE enforcement in the city, they found unexpected common ground.
Both Trump and Mamdani were elected partly on promises to reduce the cost of living. Mamdani vowed to build 200,000 affordable housing units and supports allowing more market-rate housing in high-income neighborhoods.
Trump said:
“Some of his ideas match mine. He wants to see housing prices stabilize, he wants to see a lot of housing built — apartments… People will be shocked, but I want the same thing.”
Just a year earlier, Mamdani went viral for interviewing New Yorkers about why they voted for Trump. Using a microphone, he visited working-class, immigrant-dense neighborhoods in the Bronx and Queens — areas that saw the biggest shifts toward Trump.
When asked why they supported Trump or avoided voting altogether, residents repeatedly cited the cost of living.
Mamdani then asked them about the 2025 mayoral race:
Mamdani: “If there were a candidate talking about freezing rents, making buses free, and achieving universal child care, would you support them?”
One resident: “Absolutely — I’d back that all day.”
Trump Says He’d Live in Mamdani’s New York
The 2025 mayoral election revealed deep divides over the city’s future, with Trump repeatedly criticizing Mamdani’s vision. He and other Republicans warned that Mamdani would cause crime to rise.
Trump even suggested deploying the National Guard, as he had in several Democratic-run cities. But during their White House meeting, Trump — now a Florida resident — said he would feel comfortable living in Mamdani’s New York.
Trump: “I’d feel very comfortable in New York — and even more so after this meeting.”
Trump also praised Mamdani for keeping the current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, a public-sector expert credited with reducing crime rates.
Trump noted that his daughter Ivanka is friends with Tisch, whose billionaire family owns the New York Giants and Loews Corporation and includes major Republican donors.
Trump: “She’s very good, very capable, and he chose to keep her — that’s a good sign.”**
A Positive Moment for Trump During a Tough Week
The cheerful Oval Office meeting came amid a difficult week for Trump.
His approval ratings had dropped to their lowest point of his second term.
He faced intense criticism from Republicans who joined Democrats in demanding the release of government files related to the late sex offender and former Trump associate Jeffrey Epstein. Trump ultimately signed a bill releasing the documents — a bill he had previously opposed.
During press interactions, Trump became visibly irritated when questioned about Epstein or when a reporter asked Mohammed bin Salman about Khashoggi.
Trump: “One job I always thought I’d like someday is Mayor of New York. Especially now, because the city is at a real turning point — things could go very well, or they could go another way. I think you have a real shot.”**
Mamdani generously acknowledged Trump’s strong support among New Yorkers in 2024:
Mamdani: “More New Yorkers voted for President Trump in the last election because of his focus on the cost of living, and I look forward to working together on affordability.”
Trump and Mamdani shared more voters than expected. They noted that some New Yorkers supported both candidates.
Trump: “A lot of my voters voted for him.”
Mamdani: “One in ten.”
Trump: “I’m okay with that.”
A CBS News analysis showed that about 10% of Mamdani’s voters supported Trump in the 2024 presidential race. Queens — Trump’s birthplace and Mamdani’s current home — saw the biggest shift toward Mamdani.
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