Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani met for a excessive‑stakes assembly on the White Home on Sunday. This was a outstanding step in MAGA politics given the New York Metropolis mayor‑elect’s socialist Democrat stance, and the GOP chief even entertaining him at his workplace within the first place.As the 2 contrasting poles of the ideological spectrum confronted one another, it was anticipated that Mamdani would discover himself in a tricky, intimidating atmosphere, with reporters asking questions that mirrored what many within the MAGA viewers wished to find out about what a left‑leaning Mamdani would do to manipulate within the wealthiest metropolis in America.At 34, Mamdani would be the youngest New York mayor in additional than a century. Trump, a 79‑yr‑outdated POTUS, is the oldest individual elected to be commander‑in‑chief.
10 key moments from the Oval Workplace
‘He’ll persuade me, or I’ll persuade him.’ — POTUSTrump: “There shall be subjects that we disagree on. I believe we’ll in all probability come to a conclusion. In the end, it’s for the nice of New York. If this metropolis might be unbelievable — if he might be a spectacular success — I’d be very joyful.”“It’s for the nice of New York,” Trump stated.
‘Communist’ assembly a ‘fascist’
Reporter: Are you affirming that you simply assume President Trump is a fascist?Mamdani: I’ve spoken about—Trump: “That’s okay. You’ll be able to simply say sure. It’s simpler than explaining it. I don’t thoughts.”Each the left‑wing and proper‑wing leaders have, at completely different instances, known as one another communist and fascist.The press loves MamdaniPOTUS: “The press has eaten this factor up. I’ve had lots of conferences with the heads of main international locations — no one cared. Outdoors, you’ve gotten tons of of individuals ready. For some cause, the press has discovered this to be a really attention-grabbing assembly.”Trump was shocked to see the Oval Workplace full of extra reporters than common, with tons of ready outdoors. He stated there was much less press current when he met leaders of different international nations, however for Mamdani, the turnout was far larger.NYC is every part for each“We had a gathering right this moment that truly shocked me… We could disagree on how we get there [on policy],” stated @POTUS of his assembly with Mamdani.“I anticipate to be serving to him, not hurting him, as a result of I need NYC to be nice. Look, I like NYC. That’s the place I come from.”Each leaders expressed their dedication to New York Metropolis. Trump emphasised his lengthy‑held sentiment in regards to the metropolis, whereas Mamdani has repeatedly stated that NYC is his high precedence.Is Trump snug with socialist rule?Q: Would you are feeling snug dwelling in NYC underneath a Mamdani administration?Trump: “I’d. I actually would. Particularly after assembly him.”Requested what made him snug, Trump stated he wished Mamdani to succeed. He added that he and Democrat chief Bernie Sanders shared many views regardless of being in reverse events, and stated that many Sanders supporters voted for Trump.Immigration and deportationImmigration, a serious space the place the 2 differ, was additionally mentioned in “nice size.” Mamdani desires to defend New Yorkers, together with the big migrant inhabitants, whereas Trump’s hardline stance and ICE deportations have been key points.POTUS: “He desires to have a protected New York. In the end, a protected New York goes to be an incredible New York. For those who don’t have protected streets, it’s not going to be successful.”Trump shuts down ‘jihadist’ claimsReporter: “Elise Stefanik has known as Mamdani a ‘jihadist.’ Do you assume you’re standing subsequent to a jihadist proper now?”Trump: “No, I don’t.” “I met with a person who’s a really rational individual,” he added. A ‘Professional‑Palestinian’ mayor in ‘Jew York’Mamdani: “I’ve spoken in regards to the Israeli authorities committing genocide and our authorities funding it, and I shared the priority of New Yorkers wanting their tax {dollars} to learn New Yorkers. We’re within the ninth consecutive yr of youngsters being homeless…”Mamdani is a vocal professional‑Palestinian advocate who helps ‘Free Gaza’. He has accused Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of battle crimes and has stated that if Netanyahu entered New York, he could be arrested on the airport.The true chief of DemocratsTrump was requested if Mamdani is the “true chief” of the Democrats.Trump: “He’s centered on NYC… however YOU reply that! You contemplate your self the chief?”Mamdani: “I maintain my horizons on New York Metropolis.”Mamdani is seen with scepticism inside components of the Democratic institution attributable to his hardline socialist insurance policies. Liberal Democrats usually distance themselves from him to keep away from being labelled “communist”, whereas the MAGA base sees him because the ideological reverse of what they need in authorities.NYPD and crimeNYC mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani has dedicated to protecting the NYPD’s present staffing degree of 35,000 officers.He retained NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch after resolving earlier disagreements over police reforms, regardless of beforehand being an advocate of “defund the police”.Many officers left earlier than Mamdani even took workplace, with some senior officers claiming they anticipated decrease pay underneath his administration.Finish WordIt was a stunning and fairly eerie sight to see Trump and Mamdani cooperate on so many points, given the tough phrases that they had exchanged about one another earlier than the assembly. Trump is presently underneath stress from the H1-B visa rows and going through intense criticism from the MAGA base over his U-turn on the visas, in addition to scrutiny over alleged involvement within the Epstein information, which he has persistently denied. Mamdani can be going through challenges, with accusations that he requested funds on his first day in workplace and criticism from the political left for associating with Tisch, who’s seen as pro-Israel. Regardless of these pressures, each leaders appeared measured in the course of the assembly, with Mamdani responding quickly and diplomatically to questions, and Trump backing him on factors the place he struggled. It was a uncommon and virtually unprecedented sight, exhibiting a theoretical form of coalition in motion.