President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani struck a surprisingly cooperative tone during a meeting at the White House on Friday, focusing on common ground around affordability and public safety in their shared hometown after months of public clashes .
The meeting between the Republican president and the incoming democratic socialist mayor was notably friendly, a sharp contrast to the heated rhetoric that characterized their previous exchanges . President Trump, who had previously labeled Mamdani a "communist lunatic," emerged from the private meeting with praise, calling the mayor-elect a "very rational person" and expressing confidence that he would do a "good job" . He stated, "We agree on a lot more than I would have thought" . For his part, Mamdani described the conversation as "productive" and focused on their "shared admiration and love, which is New York City" .
The discussion centered on key issues affecting New Yorkers, particularly the high cost of living and public safety. Both leaders found common cause in wanting to lower costs for housing, groceries, and utilities . Trump specifically noted their shared desire to see more housing built and crime reduced . Mamdani highlighted that for many of the New Yorkers who voted for Trump, cost of living was a primary concern, an issue he plans to address in partnership with the federal government . In a significant shift, Trump also walked back his prior threats to withhold federal funding from the city, stating, "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him" .
The two politicians directly addressed, and even joked about, the harsh insults they had traded. When a reporter reminded Mamdani that he had previously called Trump a "fascist," the president interjected with a smile, "That's ok. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining" . Trump also dismissed a question about whether he believed Mamdani was a "jihadist," an Islamophobic attack that had been used by some Republicans, simply replying, "No, I don't" . Mamdani acknowledged their many disagreements but appreciated that the meeting concentrated on their shared purpose of serving New Yorkers .
The friendly encounter has potential political ripple effects, as it complicates Republican efforts to nationally frame Mamdani as a political boogeyman . The camaraderie was so genuine that Trump, who moved his permanent residence to Florida after his presidency, said he would feel "comfortable living in New York City under a Mamdani administration," especially after their meeting . While political allies like Rep. Elise Stefanik indicated they would "agree to disagree" with the president's assessment, the meeting concluded with both men expressing a commitment to work together for New York City .