President Donald Trump on Friday brushed aside New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s past attacks labeling him a “despot” and a “fascist,” turning a potentially awkward exchange into a moment of lighthearted back-and-forth during their closely watched Oval Office meeting.
When a reporter pressed Mamdani about once calling Trump a despot, the president jumped in with a laugh:
“I’ve been called much worse than a despot. So it’s not that insulting.”
A few moments later, as Mamdani began to explain their ideological clashes and his earlier description of Trump as a fascist, Trump cut him off again, smiling and giving him a quick pat on the arm: “That’s OK, you can just say it — I don’t mind.”
Why This Meeting Matters
Trump and Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, temporarily put aside months of charged rhetoric and adopted a surprisingly cordial tone as they discussed housing affordability and the rising cost of living. The reset was notable: Trump has repeatedly slammed Mamdani as a “communist” and a “nut job,” while Mamdani has called the president “authoritarian” and once cast himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
Key Context
The sit-down came just hours after dozens of Democrats joined Republicans in voting for a resolution condemning socialism.
Asked about the vote, which passed 285-98, Mamdani downplayed its importance.
“I have to be honest with you, I focus very little on resolutions, frankly,” he said. “I think the focus is on the work at hand. I can tell you I am someone who is a democratic socialist. I’ve been very open about that. I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable. That’s what I look forward to.”
Both men later stressed areas of agreement after a private Oval Office conversation that aides said centered on the economic squeeze facing New Yorkers.
“We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” the 79-year-old Trump told reporters as Mamdani, 34, stood beside him. Mamdani, who will take office in January, said he requested the meeting to talk through affordability issues that powered his insurgent campaign, echoing themes Trump leaned on in the 2024 race.
“What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting focused not on places of disagreement…but on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.
Trump appeared unfazed by Mamdani’s earlier denunciations of his deportation policies as despotic, joking that time in high office can change perspectives.
“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually,” the president said, later brushing off a reminder that Mamdani had once compared him to a fascist.
Political Stakes for Both Sides
The meeting held clear political implications.
For Mamdani, who only recently transitioned from little-known state legislator to national figure, the Oval Office moment offered a high-profile chance to engage on federal issues and present himself as a practical, results-driven city leader. During the campaign, he defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo while branding himself as the candidate willing to “stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver.”
Trump, for his part, used the joint appearance to highlight his focus on inflation and everyday costs as voters demand more concrete answers on affordability. He suggested that he and Mamdani share more common ground than their past rhetoric might suggest, saying many of the mayor-elect’s priorities “are really the same ideas that I have.”
What People Are Saying
The viral “despot” and “fascist” exchange drew quick reactions on X.
Vice President JD Vance wrote: “POTUS has a lot of good moments but this is an all-timer.”
Media personality Piers Morgan posted, “This is amazing. Kudos to Trump & Mamdani on coming together. We need more of this. @ZohranKMamdani @realDonaldTrump”
MS NOW host Symone D. Sanders Townsend added on X, “My takeaway from this Trump meeting with Mayor-elect Mamdani: Republicans are going to need a new bogeyman for 2026”
What Comes Next
Despite the friendly optics, underlying tensions remain. Trump has previously threatened to cut off federal funds to New York and has questioned Mamdani’s citizenship—attacks the mayor-elect has dismissed as political theater. A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said those funding threats “remain on the table,” and indicated the president had not spent much time planning the details of the meeting.
Where Was Zohran Mamdani Born?
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-born parents who later immigrated to the United States. His family moved frequently during his early years before settling in New York City, where he eventually launched his political career. Mamdani has often said that growing up as the child of immigrants shaped his worldview and informed his work on behalf of tenants, working-class families and immigrant communities in Queens.
How Long Has Zohran Mamdani Lived in the U.S.?
Mamdani has lived in the United States since childhood, relocating to New York after his family emigrated from Uganda. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen after completing college, a milestone he frequently cites as central to his identity as both an elected official and an immigrant. His own experience navigating life in America, he has said, underpins his policy agenda and his focus on affordability and equitable access to public services.
