“Donald Trump endorsed Zohran Mamdani before Chuck Schumer,”
“I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump said of Mamdani after their White House meeting. “I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
US President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2025.
(Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Brett Wilkins
Nov 21, 2025
COMMON DREAMS
While Gothamist‘s characterization of Friday’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as “a surprising bromance” was likely an overstretch, the far-right US leader did offer copious praise for the democratic socialist during their amiable encounter.
Asked by a reporter if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under Mamdani, Trump—with Mamdani standing beside him in the Oval Office—replied: “Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting.”
“We agree on a lot more than I thought,” the president continued. “I want him to do a great job, and we’ll help him do a great job.”
Asked by another reporter if he was standing next to a “jihadist”—as Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) called Mamdani over his support for Palestinian liberation and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza—Trump said, “No... I met with a man who is a very rational person.”
“I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again,” the president added. “I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am. And we’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York.”
Comparing Mamdani to another prominent democratic socialist, who represents Vermont in the US Senate, Trump added that “Bernie Sanders and I agreed on much more than people thought.”
The pair reportedly discussed contentious issues including Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown and federal invasion of several US cities including Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Portland, Maine; Chicago; and Memphis.
However, they also discussed common-ground issues including the affordability crisis, which has hit New Yorkers particularly hard.
“It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers,” Mamdani told reporters.
Friday’s friendly meeting was a stark departure from previous acrimonious exchanges between Trump and Mamdani. The president has called Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and a “total nut job,” and repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funding to the nation’s largest city if the leftist was elected. Trump also threatened to arrest Mamdani after the then-mayoral candidate said he would refuse to cooperate with his administration’s mass deportation campaign.
Asked Friday about calling Mamdani a communist, Trump said: “He’s got views that are a little out there, but who knows. I mean, we’re going to see what works. He’s going to change, also. I changed a lot.”
“I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” the president added. “I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
For his part, Mamdani has called Trump a “despot” and the embodiment of New York City’s problems, decried his “authoritarian” administration, and called himself the president’s “worst nightmare.” He also called Trump a “fascist” on numerous occasions.
“I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” Trump quipped Friday.
After their meeting, a reporter asked Mamdani if he still thought Trump is a fascist. The president interrupted as Mamdani began to respond, patting him on the arm and saying, “That’s OK, you can just say yes.”
Mamdani did not compliment Trump nearly as much as the president lavished praise upon him. He did say that their meeting was “cordial and productive,” and that he anticipated partnering with Trump to “improve life in New York,” highlighting their agreement on issues like housing affordability, food and energy costs, and reducing the cost of living—issues which he said motivated voters to support both men.
Observers expressed surprise over the affable meeting, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)—one of Trump’s staunchest congressional critics—asking on social media, “What the heck just happened?”
Some social media users noted that Trump offered Mamdani a more ringing endorsement than even some prominent Democrats, with one Bluesky account posting, “Donald Trump endorsed Zohran Mamdani before Chuck Schumer,” a reference to the Senate majority leader—who never endorsed his party’s nominee to lead the city they both call home.
“I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump said of Mamdani after their White House meeting. “I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
US President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2025.
(Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Brett Wilkins
Nov 21, 2025
COMMON DREAMS
While Gothamist‘s characterization of Friday’s White House meeting between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as “a surprising bromance” was likely an overstretch, the far-right US leader did offer copious praise for the democratic socialist during their amiable encounter.
Asked by a reporter if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under Mamdani, Trump—with Mamdani standing beside him in the Oval Office—replied: “Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting.”
“We agree on a lot more than I thought,” the president continued. “I want him to do a great job, and we’ll help him do a great job.”
Asked by another reporter if he was standing next to a “jihadist”—as Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) called Mamdani over his support for Palestinian liberation and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza—Trump said, “No... I met with a man who is a very rational person.”
“I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again,” the president added. “I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am. And we’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York.”
Comparing Mamdani to another prominent democratic socialist, who represents Vermont in the US Senate, Trump added that “Bernie Sanders and I agreed on much more than people thought.”
The pair reportedly discussed contentious issues including Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown and federal invasion of several US cities including Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Portland, Maine; Chicago; and Memphis.
However, they also discussed common-ground issues including the affordability crisis, which has hit New Yorkers particularly hard.
“It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers,” Mamdani told reporters.
Friday’s friendly meeting was a stark departure from previous acrimonious exchanges between Trump and Mamdani. The president has called Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and a “total nut job,” and repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funding to the nation’s largest city if the leftist was elected. Trump also threatened to arrest Mamdani after the then-mayoral candidate said he would refuse to cooperate with his administration’s mass deportation campaign.
Asked Friday about calling Mamdani a communist, Trump said: “He’s got views that are a little out there, but who knows. I mean, we’re going to see what works. He’s going to change, also. I changed a lot.”
“I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” the president added. “I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”
For his part, Mamdani has called Trump a “despot” and the embodiment of New York City’s problems, decried his “authoritarian” administration, and called himself the president’s “worst nightmare.” He also called Trump a “fascist” on numerous occasions.
“I’ve been called much worse than a despot,” Trump quipped Friday.
After their meeting, a reporter asked Mamdani if he still thought Trump is a fascist. The president interrupted as Mamdani began to respond, patting him on the arm and saying, “That’s OK, you can just say yes.”
Mamdani did not compliment Trump nearly as much as the president lavished praise upon him. He did say that their meeting was “cordial and productive,” and that he anticipated partnering with Trump to “improve life in New York,” highlighting their agreement on issues like housing affordability, food and energy costs, and reducing the cost of living—issues which he said motivated voters to support both men.
Observers expressed surprise over the affable meeting, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)—one of Trump’s staunchest congressional critics—asking on social media, “What the heck just happened?”
Some social media users noted that Trump offered Mamdani a more ringing endorsement than even some prominent Democrats, with one Bluesky account posting, “Donald Trump endorsed Zohran Mamdani before Chuck Schumer,” a reference to the Senate majority leader—who never endorsed his party’s nominee to lead the city they both call home.
'The GOP will lose the midterms': MAGA 'thrown' by Trump's praise of NYC mayor-elect
U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
President Donald Trump's complimentary tone toward New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani caught many Republicans off guard — and some are worried about what that could mean for the GOP's hopes in next year's pivotal midterm elections.
"I expect to be helping him, not hurting him," Trump said, adding that he would feel "really" comfortable living in New York City with Mamdani as mayor.
"Especially after the meeting, absolutely," the president said.
On Friday, Fox News took note of numerous young White House staffers awaiting Mamdani's arrival. Business Insider reporter Bryan Metzger tweeted: "it says *something* about Mamdani that a bunch of 20-something Trump admin staffers were camped out hoping to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the [White House]."
Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman observed that the president "showering praise on Mamdani in the White House may throw House Republicans for a loop."
"The House GOP has signaled their entire 2026 campaign plan is to tie Democrats to Mamdani," Sherman wrote.
DC Examiner conservative columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher offered a different theory, suggesting that while Trump may not be enamored with Mamdani's politics, he nonetheless views him as a kindred spirit given that the president remains a New Yorker at heart.
"Saying this as someone who thinks Zohran Mamdani is an economically illiterate communist who has never held a real job in his life," Doescher wrote on X. "[T]he reason Trump is so chummy w/ a guy who hates him is because game recognizes game. Trump & Mamdani are both charismatic TV stars who love NYC."
In response to a post from conservative podcaster Clay Travis — who referred to the Trump-Mamdani meeting as a "bromance" — MAGA influencer Laura Loomer was apoplectic, writing: "So are we just going to normalize communism?"
"The GOP will lose the midterms," Loomer lamented.
"What is the GOP going to campaign on ahead of the midterms if the GOP is saying Mamdani is good?" Loomer added in a separate post.
New York Times Michael M. Grynbaum noticed a quip from Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who said: "I think JD Vance is jealous."
"I know influencers want to try to make 'Trump owned Mamdani' a thing for engagement, but given it was Trump who said he had his mind changed and that he now thinks Mamdani will do a good job, that's not really viable. Is what it is," tweeted Red State writer Bonchie. "Mamdani got what he wanted."
U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
November 21, 2025
ALTERNET
President Donald Trump's complimentary tone toward New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani caught many Republicans off guard — and some are worried about what that could mean for the GOP's hopes in next year's pivotal midterm elections.
"I expect to be helping him, not hurting him," Trump said, adding that he would feel "really" comfortable living in New York City with Mamdani as mayor.
"Especially after the meeting, absolutely," the president said.
On Friday, Fox News took note of numerous young White House staffers awaiting Mamdani's arrival. Business Insider reporter Bryan Metzger tweeted: "it says *something* about Mamdani that a bunch of 20-something Trump admin staffers were camped out hoping to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the [White House]."
Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman observed that the president "showering praise on Mamdani in the White House may throw House Republicans for a loop."
"The House GOP has signaled their entire 2026 campaign plan is to tie Democrats to Mamdani," Sherman wrote.
DC Examiner conservative columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher offered a different theory, suggesting that while Trump may not be enamored with Mamdani's politics, he nonetheless views him as a kindred spirit given that the president remains a New Yorker at heart.
"Saying this as someone who thinks Zohran Mamdani is an economically illiterate communist who has never held a real job in his life," Doescher wrote on X. "[T]he reason Trump is so chummy w/ a guy who hates him is because game recognizes game. Trump & Mamdani are both charismatic TV stars who love NYC."
In response to a post from conservative podcaster Clay Travis — who referred to the Trump-Mamdani meeting as a "bromance" — MAGA influencer Laura Loomer was apoplectic, writing: "So are we just going to normalize communism?"
"The GOP will lose the midterms," Loomer lamented.
"What is the GOP going to campaign on ahead of the midterms if the GOP is saying Mamdani is good?" Loomer added in a separate post.
New York Times Michael M. Grynbaum noticed a quip from Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who said: "I think JD Vance is jealous."
"I know influencers want to try to make 'Trump owned Mamdani' a thing for engagement, but given it was Trump who said he had his mind changed and that he now thinks Mamdani will do a good job, that's not really viable. Is what it is," tweeted Red State writer Bonchie. "Mamdani got what he wanted."
'Very rational person': Trump dismisses MAGA ally's claim Mamdani is a 'jihadist'
Erik De La Garza
November 21, 2025
Erik De La Garza
November 21, 2025
RAW STORY
Zohran Mamdani speaks during a watch party for his primary election, which includes his bid to become the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor in the upcoming November 2025 election, in New York City, U.S., June 25, 2025. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
President Donald Trump on Friday distanced himself from Republican attacks portraying New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as a “jihadist,” brushing aside the smear during the pair’s first-ever meeting in the Oval Office.
The moment unfolded when a reporter asked Trump directly whether he believed he was “standing next to a jihadist right now,” a reference to repeated claims made by GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Elise Stefanik that Mamdani – a Democratic Socialist – is a threat to public safety.
“No, I don’t,” Trump said flatly. “But she’s out there campaigning and, you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign. She’s a very capable person, but you really have to ask her about that.”
Trump went on to add warm words for Mamdani after what reporters described as a cordial meeting.
“I think I met with a man who’s a very rational person. I met with a man who wants to see – really wants to see – New York be great again. And I say again because New York was great.”
The moment instantly created buzz in the New York gubernatorial race and on Capitol Hill, where Stefanik, one of House Republican leadership's most die-hard MAGA loyalists, has spent months trying to cast Mamdani as an extremist. The mayor-elect is set to take office Jan. 1.
Zohran Mamdani speaks during a watch party for his primary election, which includes his bid to become the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor in the upcoming November 2025 election, in New York City, U.S., June 25, 2025. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
President Donald Trump on Friday distanced himself from Republican attacks portraying New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as a “jihadist,” brushing aside the smear during the pair’s first-ever meeting in the Oval Office.
The moment unfolded when a reporter asked Trump directly whether he believed he was “standing next to a jihadist right now,” a reference to repeated claims made by GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Elise Stefanik that Mamdani – a Democratic Socialist – is a threat to public safety.
“No, I don’t,” Trump said flatly. “But she’s out there campaigning and, you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign. She’s a very capable person, but you really have to ask her about that.”
Trump went on to add warm words for Mamdani after what reporters described as a cordial meeting.
“I think I met with a man who’s a very rational person. I met with a man who wants to see – really wants to see – New York be great again. And I say again because New York was great.”
The moment instantly created buzz in the New York gubernatorial race and on Capitol Hill, where Stefanik, one of House Republican leadership's most die-hard MAGA loyalists, has spent months trying to cast Mamdani as an extremist. The mayor-elect is set to take office Jan. 1.
No comments:
Post a Comment