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U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani surprised political watchers on Friday with an unexpectedly warm and collaborative first meeting at the White House. After months of sharp exchanges and public insults, the two leaders—polar opposites in age, ideology, and style—appeared smiling, friendly, and intent on finding common ground on key issues like crime, housing, and affordability in America’s largest city.
Despite clashing repeatedly over immigration, policing, and economic policy, both men emphasized mutual respect after their private Oval Office discussion. Trump, 79, praised the 34-year-old democratic socialist, noting they share “a lot more” viewpoints than he expected. Mamdani expressed appreciation that the president focused on shared goals rather than past disagreements, signaling the start of a working relationship that few had anticipated.
Their cordial interaction marked a sharp shift from recent weeks, when Trump labeled Mamdani a “radical left lunatic” and falsely accused him of antisemitism. Mamdani—an advocate of Nordic-style democratic socialism and NYC’s soon-to-be first Muslim mayor—has consistently condemned antisemitism and gained support from Jewish elected officials. Trump, at the meeting, even defended him against Islamophobic remarks from reporters, calling him “a very rational person.”
Both leaders highlighted overlapping priorities, especially around housing and affordability. Mamdani’s proposals—rent freezes, free public buses, and expanded childcare—have resonated with voters frustrated by high living costs. Trump, who has recently refocused on inflation, said that some of Mamdani’s ideas aligned with his own. Their shared interest in improving New York City’s housing stock appeared to energize the president, who spent decades as a prominent real estate figure in Manhattan.
Throughout the media session, Trump repeatedly stepped in to support Mamdani when confronted with tough questions, even joking lightly about their past insults. The brief rapport left many political observers stunned, with lawmakers from both parties questioning the unexpected partnership.
Trump, who once urged New Yorkers to reject Mamdani, even suggested he might consider moving back to his hometown under the new mayor’s leadership—a striking reversal that underscored the day’s unusual political chemistry.
