Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he still believes President Trump is a “fascist” and “despot,” but described their first White House meeting as “productive.” Despite months of insults during the campaign, both struck a friendly tone, with Trump saying he’ll be “cheering” for Mamdani and Mamdani emphasizing the chance to work together on lowering costs for New Yorkers.
Mamdani explained that affordability was the top concern he heard from voters, including Trump supporters in the Bronx and Queens. He told the president their discussion focused on barriers to delivering relief, stressing that his goal was not to make a political point but to build a working relationship that benefits residents.
The meeting contrasted sharply with the campaign, when Trump called Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and backed Andrew Cuomo, while Mamdani labeled Trump a “despot.” On Friday, both downplayed past attacks, with Trump joking he’d been called worse. In his victory speech, Mamdani vowed New York would be “the light” in political darkness, signaling his intent to balance sharp disagreements with pragmatic cooperation.