US President Donald Trump extended a warm welcome to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday, offering praise for his election win during their first face-to-face meeting. Despite months of public clashes over immigration and economic policy, the two leaders appeared relaxed as they met in the Oval Office.
President Donald Trump vowed that his administration would work with New York's incoming Democratic socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani to improve life for residents of the US financial capital.
"We're going to be helping him to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York," Trump said after a White House meeting that Mamdani described as "very productive.
Meanwhile, there was also an unexpectedly light moment during the meeting when President Donald Trump brushed aside mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s past reference to him as a “fascist.”
"That's okay. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." pic.twitter.com/5NpLP6v3gZRelated stories
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 21, 2025
During the press briefing, a journalist asked Mamdani whether he still stood by the comment. Mamdani began to explain that he and the President “have differing viewpoints,” but Trump quickly interrupted, defusing the moment with a smile.
“That’s OK, you can just say it,” Trump said, patting Mamdani on the arm. “It’s easier than explaining it — I don’t mind!”
Mamdani smiled and replied simply, “Yes,” acknowledging the earlier remark without elaboration.
The brief but notable exchange added a moment of levity to a meeting otherwise focused on outlining areas of cooperation between the two leaders.
Mamdani described the meeting as constructive. “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,” he said.
Trump closed by stressing that he was eager to see the mayor-elect succeed. “The better he does the happier I am,” Trump said.
Vice President JD Vance praises Trump on fascist question
"POTUS has a lot of good moments but this is an all-timer," said Vice President JD Vance on X, reposting a video of Trump responding to a question about fascism.
Trump told Mamdani "you can just say yes" after the NYC mayor-elect was asked if he thinks the president is a "fascist."
*With Agency Inputs
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