Trump tells NYC mayor-elect ‘simply say sure’ on fascist query in assembly

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Throughout an Oval Workplace media spray on Friday, Fox Information’ Jacqui Heinrich pressed New York Metropolis mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on whether or not he nonetheless believes President Donald Trump is a "fascist."

Mamdani started to reply — however earlier than he may end, Trump lower in from behind the Resolute Desk.

"That’s okay," Trump stated, earlier than patting Mamdani’s arm. "You may simply say sure. It’s simpler than explaining it. I don’t thoughts."

The complete 10-minute change capped a wide-ranging availability centered on affordability, housing and public safety , and brimmed with stress between Mamdani’s previous rhetoric and the political actuality of governing alongside the Trump White Home.

TRUMP, MAMDANI SET TO FACE-OFF IN FIRST OVAL OFFICE MEETING — WHAT’S ON THE TABLE

President Donald Trump met with New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for the primary time on Friday within the Oval Workplace. (Jim Watson / AFP through Getty Photos)

Heinrich had earlier requested Mamdani whether or not he stood by his earlier feedback describing Trump’s agenda as "fascist" and "despotic."

Mamdani didn't give a direct reply, saying solely that he supposed to work with the president "the place we agree" to assist the town’s 8.5 million residents.

Trump jumped in earlier than he completed, including with amusing, "I’ve been referred to as a lot worse than a despot — possibly he’ll change his thoughts."

TRUMP PREDICTS 'CIVIL' MEETING WITH MAMDANI DESPITE PAST COMMENTS ABOUT EACH OTHER

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on Nov. 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Photos)

The second got here after each males publicly emphasised areas of potential cooperation. Trump pointed to falling power costs and stated he needed utilities, together with Con Edison, to decrease charges. Mamdani outlined a plan centered on housing , lease, groceries and utilities, saying New Yorkers are going through a "cost-of-living disaster that threatens to push households out of the town."

Heinrich additionally pressed Trump on Ukraine , asking how his proposed peace plan would work if President Zelenskyy rejected it.

Trump replied that Ukraine would "have to love it, or maintain combating," and repeated his declare that U.S. help would depend upon securing an settlement. He additionally asserted that casualty numbers within the battle had been "far greater" than publicly reported.

DAVID MARCUS: MR. MAMDANI GOES TO WASHINGTON BETWEEN ROCK AND HARD PLACE

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on Nov. 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Photos)

The spray additionally touched on public security, with Mamdani saying he intends to maintain roughly 35,000 NYPD officers whereas shifting extra non-urgent calls away from police and towards mental-health responders.

Trump stated each males shared a objective of eradicating "very unhealthy folks" and making the town safer, including that "we wish New York to thrive once more."

The change with Heinrich is more likely to gasoline additional scrutiny over how Mamdani balances far-left progressive messaging with the reasonable calls for of governing. The mayor-elect has proudly recognized as a democratic socialist, however stated he intends to "meet the second" in partnership with the Trump administration when doable.

Trump, who joked that the spray attracted "extra reporters than regular," stated he was open to assembly once more. Mamdani added the identical, saying his objective was to search out factors of settlement that would "ship for New Yorkers immediately."

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The President posted to Truth Social on Friday night time, documenting the go to with a number of photographs of the 2 males, captioned "It was a Nice Honor assembly Zohran Mamdani, the brand new Mayor of New York Metropolis!"