In a remarkable political pivot, President Donald Trump warmly welcomed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to the White House on Friday, November 21, 2025, offering effusive praise for his historic electoral victory.
From Criticism to Congratulations
The Oval Office meeting represented a stunning reversal for Trump, who had previously labeled Mamdani a "communist lunatic" during the campaign. Republican leaders had consistently attacked Mamdani's socialist policies, warning they would destroy New York City and threaten American capitalism.
President Trump struck a completely different tone during their first face-to-face encounter, emphasizing their shared connection to New York. "We have one thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do very well," Trump stated with Mamdani standing beside him. "And I wanted to congratulate the mayor, he really won an incredible race."
Diplomatic Exchange Despite Past Tensions
Both leaders demonstrated notable diplomacy during the meeting. Mamdani, who had previously characterized Trump's policies as "fascist," avoided direct criticism and instead highlighted their shared purpose of serving New Yorkers.
Trump appeared unbothered by Mamdani's past comments, joking that "I've been called much worse than a despot, so it's not that insulting." The President expressed confidence that Mamdani would change his opinion after they worked together.
When pressed by reporters about whether he still considered Trump a fascist, Mamdani began a diplomatic response before Trump interjected. "That's OK, you can just say yes," Trump offered cheerfully, patting Mamdani on the arm as both men smiled.
Sharp Contrast with Republican Party Rhetoric
The cordial meeting stood in stark contrast to the intense criticism Mamdani faced from other Republican leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnson had repeatedly used Mamdani's impending victory as what he called "Exhibit A" of concerning political trends.
During the government shutdown, Johnson warned that Mamdani's win threatened 250 years of American capitalism and fundamental principles including individual freedom and free markets. "All those things are in jeopardy when the Marxists take over," Johnson declared in October.
Trump, however, seemed delighted by the attention their meeting generated. "I tell you the press has eaten this thing up," he observed. "I've had a lot of meetings with the heads of major countries, nobody cared. This meeting, you people have gone crazy."
The President concluded with enthusiastic support for the incoming mayor: "I just want to congratulate — I think you're gonna have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am."
