5 head-turning moments from Mamdani and Trump's surprisingly cordial meeting
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
President Donald Trump met with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Nov. 21, 2025
President Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's meeting on Friday was surprisingly cordial despite the bubbling feud between them.
The big picture: Many were curious how Mamdani, a democratic socialist, and Trump, the leader of the MAGA movement, would interact in person for the first time, given the war of words between them.
Driving the news: Trump and Mamdani met privately Friday and then held a press conference in the Oval Office, where Trump defended Mamdani and praised him in almost equal measure.
- Both seemed to unite over their love of New York City.
- "I met with a man who is a very rational person," Trump said of Mamdani.
Here are five head-turning moments from the meeting.
Trump defends Mamdani
Throughout the press conference, Trump defended Mamdani to reporters and sideswiped criticisms of the New York City mayor-elect.
- "I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again," Trump said.
Trump went as far as to say he would feel comfortable living in New York City with Mamdani as mayor.
- "I would — especially after the meeting," he told a reporter.
- "We agree on a lot more than I would have thought," he said.
Trump on fascism
Mamdani was asked by a reporter if thinks Trump is a fascist. Mamdani went to answer but Trump cut him off.
- "That's OK. You can just say yes. I don't mind," the president said.
- Mamdani then replied, simply, "Yes."
- Trump then playfully tapped Mamdani on the arm.
Trump on "despot" insult
Mamdani, when asked about calling Trump "a despot," sidestepped by the question and received another light-hearted defense from Trump.
- "We are very clear on our positions and our views and what I really appreciate about the president is the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose we have of serving New Yorkers," Mamdani said.
- Trump quipped, "I've been called much worse than a despot. So it's not that insulting."
Watching New York City
Trump suggested that he would keep an eye on New York City with Mamdani at the helm.
- "I'll be cheering for him," Trump said.
- He also said: "The better he does, the happier I am."
Trump on ICE in New York City
When asked about their differing views on having ICE agents in New York City, Trump said he and Mamdani would work to keep people safe.
- "I think if we have known murderers, and known drug dealers, and some very bad people, we want to get them out," Trump said.
- "He wants to have a safe New York. Ultimately, a safe New York is going to be a great New York."
Flashback: Trump said in July that he would arrest Mamdani if he wouldn't allow federal immigration officials to arrest undocumented immigrants in the city.
- Mamdani has held firm on his position, saying this week that NYPD will deliver public safety, not assist ICE while he's mayor, per a PIX11 News interview released Wednesday.
Go deeper: What to know about Trump-Mamdani feud ahead of White House meeting
