Trump and Mamdani’s First Meeting Stuns Political Circles with Unexpected Warmth

ISLAMABAD: In a remarkable turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, held an unexpectedly cordial first meeting at the White House—despite months of sharp public criticism between the two leaders.

During their Oval Office meeting, political differences took a back seat as both men agreed to work together to address New York’s rising crime rates, inflation, and worsening housing crisis.

Trump — a Republican billionaire and former real estate mogul — and Mamdani — a 34-year-old Muslim Democratic Socialist — have long been viewed as ideological opposites, clashing on issues ranging from immigration to economic policy.

A Surprisingly Positive Tone

However, the tone of the meeting surprised many observers. Trump described the conversation as “remarkably positive,” adding, “We agree on far more things than I ever thought we would.”

Mamdani echoed this sentiment, saying that the focus of the discussion was not past disagreements but how best to serve the people of New York. He emphasized cooperation on key issues such as inflation, transportation, and affordable housing.

During the meeting, it also emerged that a notable number of Trump voters in New York had supported Mamdani in the election — a revelation that the president greeted with visible delight.

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“Do You Still Think He’s a Fascist?”

When journalists brought up past tensions, both leaders brushed off earlier remarks with laughter. At one point, when a reporter asked Mamdani whether he still considered Trump a “fascist,” Trump jumped in jokingly: “If you want to say it, just say ‘yes’ outright.”

In another moment, when a reporter mentioned the Islamophobic campaign previously run against Mamdani, Trump came to his defense, saying, “The man standing in front of me is smart and reasonable.”

A Political Shockwave

The broadcast clips of the meeting have sent shockwaves through political circles, with analysts calling it a surprising and unusual shift in tone within American politics.

Trump — who once labeled New York a “failed city” and strongly opposed Mamdani’s candidacy — now says he is hopeful about the city’s future under the new mayor’s leadership. He even hinted that he might consider moving back to New York.

The meeting marks a striking moment of political de-escalation, offering a rare glimpse of bipartisan cooperation in an increasingly polarized landscape.