Takeaways from Trump and Mamdani’s surprise meeting

The price of the US President Donald Trump Newly Chosen Elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani of the White House in what the politics of the year – but instead turned out to be a compliment.

In his election victory speech, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist mayor called Trump A “Wearpot.”

And before the meeting on Friday, the spokesperson of the President put the visit of Mamdani as a “Communist coming to the White House”.

But standing on the side of the office in the oval, the two men were surprised by a strange tone of connection.

Often, the two men emphasized their shared interest in solving New York City’s welfare crisis. They were always smiling, and Trump even appeared to be primarily asked by reporters about the political attacks that Mamdani had unleashed.

The tone of the meeting reflected the political attacks of political observers, but offered a signal that the men understood that dealing with the crisis was a skill.

Whether the truce will last once Mamdani takes office on 1 January remains to be seen.

Until then, “I’ll be happy for him,” Trump said.

The conciliatory tone was evident from the moment they began speaking to the press.

Facing the Media after a private meeting, Mamdani stood to the right with his hand clasped, as the President sat behind the desert table. Their body language is relaxed – especially Trump.

Not only did Trump not move away from attacking Mamdani, he actually praised her several times.

Trump declared that Mamdani would be a “very good mayor”.

Later, the President added that he was “confident that he will do a very good job”.

Mamdani and Trump traded political blows throughout the mayoral election. An inside reporter reminded the two men that Trump called Mamdani a “communist” and Mamdani referred to the president as a “desot”.

But now, both men are facing many questions about their past statements and are being praised.

Trump even allowed Mamdani to answer whether the mayor-elect thinks the President is a “fascist”.

“That’s OK, you can just say yes,” Trump argued, later giving Mamdani a light tap on the arm. “Easier than explaining.”

The closest Trump has to criticism of Mamdani’s politics told reporters, “He has views that are a little out there”.

Mamdani and Trump have one thing in common: They are both New Yorkers, and both call the borough of queens home.

Trump’s childhood home is in the estates neighborhood of Jamaica, while Mamdani now lives in Astoria.

The two have a “shared love” of the city, Mamdani said.

Although Trump rarely spends time with his namesake Manhattan Skyscraper these days, he spoke fondly of his city throughout the news conference.

“This town is unbelievable, if he can be an amazing success, I’ll be happy,” Trump said.

At one point, Trump suggested that in a different political life, he would like to be Mayor of New York himself.

Perhaps part of the reason the two men appeared in lock step on Friday was their shared focus on cost issues.

Trump won his re-election last year by relentlessly hammering the issue of high inflation that had frustrated voters in 2024. As consumers grow restless about the cost of groceries, housing, and other essentials, Trump has tried to convey a message of economic stability.

But in the election earlier this month, Republicans struggled and Democrats won key races. All eyes are on next year’s midterm elections, where control of the US Congress will be up for grabs.

During his election campaign, Mamdani maintained a laser-focus on the lack of affordable housing and proposed rental housing. rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent to rent.

Mamdani said she and the President discussed how to “deliver beauty to New Yorkers”.

When he was asked a question about their different views, the mayor-elect brought up the conversation on this topic.

Faced with a question about their different views on achieving peace in the Middle East, Mamdani answered that the voters of Trump expressed to him the “leaders of calling the” cost of the living crisis “.

However, there are major political issues that can easily turn the two people into opposition.

A reporter asked about the potential for Federal Immigration Enruction Enforcement in the City, angering Democrats and some New York immigrant communities.

Mamdani said he discussed Federal Immigration enforcement operations in New York, and concerns from residents about how they are being conducted.

Trump said they discussed crime more than immigration.

“He doesn’t want to see crime and I don’t want to see crime,” the President said. He has “very little doubt” the two will go together on that issue.

But as the Trump administration continues to set deportation goals, it is possible that the two men may become dependent on each other.

Republicans have also chosen that they want to use Mamdani as a political foil in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, where Control of the US Congress will be on the ballot. Trump’s apparent arrest today will complicate the strategy.