U.S. President Donald Trump offered a positive assessment of New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at a White House meeting, despite having criticized him as a "communist."
On the 21st (local time), after meeting Mamdani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., President Trump answered a reporter's question, "Will people be able to live comfortably in New York City under a Mamdani administration?" by saying, "Yes. Especially after meeting him, yes." He also said, "We agree on far more than I thought. I want him to do well, and we will help him do well."
During the New York mayoral election, President Trump opposed Mamdani, the Democratic candidate, calling him a "communist." He also warned that if Mamdani did not meet Trump's expectations, the federal government could cut off financial support to New York City.
When asked which of Mamdani's policies could lead to a halt in financial support, President Trump said, "If we don't get along well, support could be halted, or we could just make it a little harder to get, or give less than before." He added, however, "I don't think that's going to happen."
President Trump said he discussed ways to improve New York City's prices, housing, and crime issues with mayor-elect Mamdani. He said, "Some of Mamdani's ideas and some of mine are really identical," adding, "There is no difference between us, and we will help him make real everyone's dream of a strong and very safe New York."
Regarding his past attacks calling Mamdani a "communist," he said, "I am confident he can do very well," and added, "I think he will surprise some conservatives."
Mamdani also gave a positive assessment of the meeting's atmosphere. The mayor-elect said, "It was a productive meeting focused on the need to provide affordability to New York and New Yorkers, a place we both respect and love."
When Mamdani was asked about having called President Trump a "tyrant" in the past, he hesitated briefly. Trump laughed and said, "I've been called worse than a tyrant, so it's not that insulting." When another reporter asked, "Do you still think President Trump is a fascist?" Trump answered on his behalf, "It's fine. You can just say it. That's easier than explaining."