Takeaways from Trump and Mamdani’s surprisingly cordial assembly

[ad_1] Watch: "I’ll be cheering for him" - Trump praises Mamdani after first assembly

US President Donald Trump met New York Metropolis's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani on the White Home in what was billed because the political showdown of the 12 months - however as a substitute turned a reward fest.

In his election victory speech, the self-described Democratic socialist mayor referred to as Trump a "despot".

And earlier than Friday's assembly, the president's spokeswoman had billed Mamdani's go to as a "communist coming to the White Home".

However standing side-by-side within the Oval Workplace, the 2 males struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone.

Time and again, each males emphasised their shared curiosity in addressing New York Metropolis's affordability disaster. They smiled typically, and Trump even appeared amused as reporters requested him concerning the political assaults Mamdani had fired his approach.

The tone of the assembly appeared to strike political observers off-guard, however supplied a sign that each males perceive that tackling the affordability disaster is important to their political success.

Whether or not the truce will final as soon as Mamdani takes workplace on 1 January stays to be seen.

Till then, "I will be cheering for him," Trump stated.

Trump filled with reward

The rapport was evident from the second they began chatting with the press.

Going through the media after a non-public assembly, Mamdani stood to Trump's proper together with his arms clasped, because the president sat behind the Resolute Desk. Their physique language was relaxed – significantly Trump's.

Not solely did Trump chorus from attacking Mamdani, he praised him quite a few instances.

The president expressed hope that Mamdani can be a "actually nice mayor".

Later, the president added he was "assured that he can do an excellent job".

Dismissing questions on jihad and fascism

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/67af/live/26f109b0-c774-11f0-b0e6-6b19d8000d31.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Getty Images Mamdani is seen standing next to Trump, who is seated behind his desk in the Oval Office. Both are smiling and Trump is reaching out to jokingly tap him on the arm" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Getty Photographs Each males had been all smiles on the assembly

Mamdani and Trump traded political barbs all through the mayoral election. A reporter within the room on Friday reminded the 2 males that Trump had referred to as Mamdani a "communist" and Mamdani had referred to the president as a "despot".

Each males deflected a number of questions on their earlier statements and pivoted again to reward.

Trump even let Mamdani reply a query about whether or not the mayor-elect thought the president was a "fascist".

"That is okay, you may simply say sure," Trump interjected, giving Mamdani a light-weight faucet on the arm and smiling. "It is simpler than explaining."

The closest Trump got here to criticising Mamdani's politics was telling reporters: "He is received views which are little on the market."

Maybe most hanging, Trump dismissed a query echoing an assault on Mamdani by certainly one of Trump's high political allies in New York.

"Do you suppose you are standing subsequent to a 'jihadist' proper now within the oval workplace?" a reporter requested, quoting Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who's mounting a run for governor of New York state.

"No I do not," Trump rapidly replied.

"You say issues typically in a marketing campaign," Trump stated of Stefanik. "She's a really succesful individual."

Bonding over New York roots

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/10f6/live/0564c790-c72a-11f0-a0c0-8b5d01646a8a.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani smile as they take questions from the press in the Oval Office." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Getty Photographs Mamdani and Trump have one thing in widespread: they're each New Yorkers, and each have referred to as the borough of Queens residence.

Trump's childhood house is within the neighbourhood of Jamaica Estates, whereas Mamdani at present resides in Astoria.

The 2 had a "shared love" of town, Mamdani stated.

Although Trump not often spends time in his namesake Manhattan skyscraper lately, he spoke fondly of his hometown all through the information convention.

"This metropolis could possibly be unbelievable - if he could possibly be a spectacular success, I will be very pleased," Trump stated.

At one level, the president prompt that, in a distinct political lifetime, he would have appreciated to be mayor of New York himself.

Affordability focus

Maybe a part of the explanation the 2 males appeared in lock-step on Friday was their shared deal with cost-of-living points.

Trump gained re-election final 12 months after relentlessly hammering the problem of excessive inflation that had annoyed voters in 2024. As customers develop stressed about the price of groceries, housing and different necessities, Trump has tried to convey a message of financial stability.

Throughout his election marketing campaign in New York Metropolis, Mamdani maintained a laser deal with the dearth of inexpensive housing and proposed freezing hire will increase on sure rent-stabilised flats, amongst different initiatives.

Mamdani stated he and Trump mentioned methods to "ship affordability to New Yorkers".

At any time when he was requested a query about their differing views, the mayor-elect introduced the dialog again to this subject.

Going through one query about their completely different views on reaching peace within the Center East, Mamdani responded that Trump voters had expressed to him a want for "an finish to ceaselessly wars" and for leaders to deal with "the cost-of-living disaster".

On regulation enforcement and immigration, additionally they appeared to search out some widespread floor. Mamdani stated he and Trump mentioned federal immigration-enforcement operations in New York, and he relayed considerations from residents about how they're being carried out.

However Trump stated they mentioned crime greater than immigration.

"He would not wish to see crime and I do not wish to see crime," the president stated. He had "little or no doubt" the 2 would get alongside on that concern.

Trump even stated he would really feel secure residing in a Mamdani-led New York.

A complication for Republicans' technique?

The cordial relations on show on Friday could complicate efforts by Republicans to make use of the self-described democratic socialist as a bogeyman within the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, when management of the US Congress will probably be up for grabs.

In elections earlier this month, Republicans struggled and Democrats gained key races. It is unclear whether or not that pattern will maintain.

Republicans had plans in place to make Mamdani the face of the Democratic Occasion, in response to US information web site Axios. They included portray him as anti-police, anti-capitalism and anti-Israel in an effort to present Republicans a leg-up in key races.