By Manisha Sahu | America News World
November 22, 2025
In a political moment few could have predicted even months ago, US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shared an unexpectedly cordial meeting inside the Oval Office on Friday—one that sharply contrasted with their combative exchanges on the campaign trail.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House. (AP Photo)
For months, Trump had used Mamdani as a rhetorical punching bag at rallies, branding him everything from a “radical left agitator” to a “Communist lunatic.” Mamdani, for his part, had accused the president of running on fear and division, often painting Trump’s policies as hostile to immigrant communities and working-class New Yorkers.
Yet on Friday afternoon in Washington, as cameras rolled and reporters jostled for quotes, Trump repeatedly stepped in to defend the very man he had once mocked. The meeting, described by officials as part of a routine engagement with major incoming municipal leaders, quickly turned into a spectacle of political reconciliation—and perhaps strategic repositioning.
Protesters Outside, Praise Inside
Outside the White House, a small but spirited crowd gathered as Mamdani entered the West Wing. Among them, one woman was heard chanting, “Let’s go Zohran!”—a supportive cheer that stood in contrast to the polarized environment the two politicians had cultivated during the election season.
But whatever tensions lingered outside did not permeate the Oval Office. According to BBC reporters present during the press availability that followed the meeting, Trump appeared unusually protective of Mamdani. When tough questions were posed about crime, immigration policies, or the mayor-elect’s past statements on policing, Trump often interjected—sometimes even before Mamdani could reply.
The president at one point placed a firm hand on Mamdani’s shoulder and declared, “He’s very rational. You’ll see. He’s a smart guy. Very smart.” Coming from Trump, who built much of his political branding around attacking perceived ideological opponents, the remark raised eyebrows across the press corps.
A Relationship Rewritten in Real Time
To understand the dramatic shift in tone, it’s important to revisit the tumultuous political backdrop.
During the mayoral campaign, Trump frequently criticized Mamdani during rallies in the tri-state area, warning that “New York will collapse under socialist experiments” if Mamdani won. He accused the progressive candidate of wanting to “turn Manhattan into Havana,” and at one rally in Staten Island, Trump called him “a Communist lunatic who has no idea how cities work.”
These attacks, however, didn’t stop New Yorkers from electing Mamdani in a decisive victory earlier this month, marking one of the most significant progressive upsets in the city’s political history.
Inside the Oval Office on Friday, that earlier rhetoric felt like a distant memory. Trump repeatedly emphasized unity, cooperation, and “moving forward for the sake of a great American city.” At one moment, he even acknowledged, with visible amusement, that the two had exchanged “some colorful language” in the past.
“But that’s politics,” Trump said. “You fight hard, then you come together. And I think this is going to be a good partnership.”
Mamdani’s Measured Tone
If Trump appeared eager to redefine their relationship, Mamdani was careful, measured, and diplomatic.
The mayor-elect thanked the president for the meeting and emphasized the shared responsibility of federal and municipal leaders to ensure New York remains “safe, thriving, and welcoming.” He did not directly address Trump’s past insults, choosing instead to highlight areas where collaboration was essential—federal transit funding, housing assistance, and infrastructure modernization among them.
“I’m here to advocate for New Yorkers,” Mamdani said. “The challenges our city faces don’t have party labels. They’re real, they’re urgent, and they require partnership at all levels of government.”
When pressed by reporters about Trump’s dramatic shift in tone, Mamdani offered a brief smile and said, “I appreciate the president’s comments today. We have work to do together.”
Trump the Mediator?
One of the most striking moments of the session came when a reporter asked Mamdani whether he still believed Trump’s immigration policies were “inhumane,” a statement the mayor-elect had made multiple times on the campaign trail.
Before Mamdani could speak, Trump cut in sharply.
“He’s said a lot of things,” Trump insisted. “But he’s also said—privately and publicly—that he wants what’s best for the city. We can disagree on some issues and still respect each other.”
The president then waved dismissively toward the press row.
“You guys always want drama,” Trump said. “We’re talking solutions now.”
The exchange sparked chatter among political analysts, some of whom suggested Trump was consciously repositioning himself as a bipartisan figure ahead of upcoming national political battles. Others interpreted the gesture as an attempt to maintain influence in New York City, a place where his political standing has fluctuated dramatically over the years.
The Policy Conversations
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the two leaders touched on several core issues:
Public safety and federal support for local policing
Trump expressed interest in expanding federal resources for city crime-reduction programs, though Mamdani reiterated his preference for “community-based approaches.”
Housing and infrastructure funding
Mamdani made a firm case for expanding federal grants to address the city’s housing crisis and aging transit system.
Immigration and federal-city coordination
While they did not agree on all points, both leaders acknowledged the importance of stable funding for migrant services.
Economic recovery
Trump praised New York as “the heartbeat of the American economy,” while Mamdani stressed the need for protecting small businesses and boosting public-sector investment.
The Optics of Unity
Whether the Oval Office meeting marks the beginning of a genuine partnership or simply a temporary truce remains to be seen. But the optics of the encounter were unmistakable: a president known for his bombastic style extending an olive branch to one of the nation’s most left-leaning municipal leaders.
Political watchers note that Trump has a long history of forming surprising alliances when it suits his strategic interests. Mamdani, meanwhile, faces the immense task of governing a complex, divided city at a moment when federal-state-city dynamics are more important than ever.
For now, though, both sides appear committed to presenting a united front.
“We’re going to get a lot done,” Trump declared as cameras clicked. “A lot more than people expect.”
Mamdani, standing beside him, nodded.
“We have to,” he said. “New York depends on it.”
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