Donald Trump offered an unexpected olive branch on Friday, praising New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) as “very rational,” rejecting a GOP lawmaker’s attack, and even saying he’d feel comfortable living in New York under Mamdani’s leadership.
The Oval Office meeting between the two leaders, described as “productive,” marked a sharp shift from months of Trump’s attacks. He had repeatedly labeled Mamdani, a democratic socialist, a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if certain policies were enacted.
The meeting took place behind closed doors, but reporters were allowed to ask questions afterward.
“I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am,” Trump said, standing beside Mamdani. “There’s no difference in party, there’s no difference in anything. And we’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York.”
Trump emphasized that Mamdani is “rational” and suggested that the mayor-elect could surprise conservative observers. “He’s got views that are a little out there, but who knows. I mean, we’re going to see what works. He’s going to change, also. I changed a lot,” Trump said. “I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
Mamdani confirmed the two discussed key issues like housing, food costs, and energy prices, as well as immigration enforcement in the city. He has previously raised concerns about the deployment of ICE officers in New York. Despite ideological differences, Mamdani said both leaders were aligned on affordability and lowering costs for residents.
The meeting also gave Trump a chance to shut down attacks from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who has referred to Mamdani as a “jihadist.” When asked about it directly, Trump said: “No, I don’t. … I met with a man who is a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”
Trump even said he would feel comfortable living in New York while Mamdani is mayor. “Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting,” he told reporters. “We agree on a lot more than I thought. I want him to do a great job, and we’ll help him do a great job.”
The tone was strikingly amicable, considering the acrimony between the two in the past. Reporters repeatedly tried to provoke criticism, asking about prior insults and Mamdani’s labeling of Trump as a “despot.” Trump brushed them aside, quipping, “I’ve been called much worse than a despot.”
The meeting also drew comparisons to Trump’s past interactions with populist progressives. “Bernie Sanders and I agreed on much more than people thought,” Trump noted, highlighting crossover points on issues like affordability and housing.
For one afternoon, at least, political divisions seemed to fade as Trump and Mamdani stood side by side, united on some of New York City’s most pressing problems. The president, once a vocal critic, left signaling support—and a surprising willingness to work together.
Catch a clip from the press conference below:
