US President Donald Trump received New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday for a meeting that took place without apparent conflict despite their radically different worldviews.
Here are some takeaways from their closely watched meeting:
Change subject
What was Trump’s biggest victory? He changed the subject by changing his rhetoric on Mamdani, whom he had previously called a “100% communist madman.”
“We agree on a lot more than I thought we would,” the president said, his occasional scowl replaced by a broad smile as he congratulated Mamdani, called him “Mr. Mayor” and predicted the success of his tenure as New York’s leader.
Trump’s warm welcome to Mamdani and their televised tête-à-tête in the Oval Office captivated policy enthusiasts and shifted headlines into more positive territory for the president after weeks of politically damaging coverage of cases linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who was once a friend of Trump’s.
With Trump’s poll numbers falling and some of his policies failing to gain traction, shifting the focus to a different topic is exactly what Trump needed — and it might be a reason for him not to turn on Mamdani anytime soon.
Affordability Program
Trump and Mamdani said they focused their private discussion on the cost of living and affordability, issues at the heart of Mamdani’s mayoral victory. Trump has spoken at length about falling grocery and housing prices.
“Some of his ideas are the same as mine,” said Trump, who felt that some of his supporters voted for Mamdani.
A former real estate developer, Trump welcomed Mamdani’s call for more housing in New York, and Mamdani made a point of saying his campaign had reached Trump’s base.
“When we talked to voters who voted for President Trump, we heard them talk about the cost of living,” he said.
By focusing on portfolio issues, the two men have largely sidestepped areas of disagreement such as immigration policy and the war in Gaza. But their economic focus also represented smart policy for Trump, as polls show that affordability remains the top concern among voters nationally.
The White House has indicated that the cost of living will be a top priority for Trump next year, ahead of midterm elections that will determine whether the president’s Republican Party retains control of Congress.
Hold his
Mamdani, a Democrat, seemed comfortable and confident in the Oval Office. He spoke about Trump with respect while remaining true to the themes of his political campaign.
While the president praised him, Mamdani didn’t exactly praise the president, and he didn’t shy away from critical topics, such as his views on Trump’s immigration policies and their impact on New York.
Both answered questions, although Mamdani left it up to Trump to choose which journalists to recognize from the press pool, which included right-wing and New York-focused reporters.
At one point, Trump supported Mamdani as the mayor-elect asked him why he flew to Washington instead of taking the train.
“I will defend you,” Trump said, adding that flying was the quickest way to get to Washington DC from New York.
Body language
Warmth, familiarity, even brotherhood.
In what could have been a contentious meeting between polar political adversaries, Trump and Mamdani exuded friendliness in their first meeting since the democratic socialist became mayor-elect of New York City after defeating established party figures in the Democratic primary, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Unlike the aggressive meetings Trump has had with some foreign leaders in the same space, the president appeared calm, supportive and even enthusiastic about Mamdani when both men appeared in front of the cameras.
They displayed friendly body language. Trump shook Mamdani’s hand more than once, patting the other with apparent affection, and touched or slapped his arm at other times, almost fatherly, as they answered questions from the press together.
Trump, looking like an elder statesman, sat at his desk, while Mamdani, the younger upstart, stood next to him with his hands clasped. Trump wore a wide red tie, Mamdani a narrower blue, the two colors corresponding to their respective political affiliations.
Trump likes winners
Some expected fireworks between the unstable conservative president and the elected mayor who reaffirmed his adherence to the label of “democratic socialist”. Yet the aftermath of the meeting was surprisingly cordial.
Trump suggested Mamdani might “change his mind” on certain policies. “I think he’s going to surprise some conservatives,” the president said.
Trump, who praised Mamdani’s performance in the municipal primaries and general elections, has always loved winners.
Bringing Mamdani to the White House wasn’t much different from inviting a championship sports team — a presidential tradition that Trump enjoys.
And as a fellow New Yorker, Trump perhaps has some respect for someone who has successfully navigated the city’s stormy politics. “Being mayor of New York is a big deal,” Trump said.
At times, Trump acted as if he were meeting with another head of state. He highlighted the media attention the two men had attracted, saying it exceeded the attention attracted by some leaders of other countries.
Trump grew up in Queens, where Mamdani currently resides, making him that borough’s first city mayor. It’s possible that the two men consider each other soulmates.
“I love New York,” the president said.
