Trump and Zohran Mamdani’s Unexpectedly Warm Oval Office Meeting Shakes U.S. Politics

Despite the deep divide and sharp disagreements between them, President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani managed to hold an astonishingly positive and successful meeting during their visit to the Oval Office on Friday. The encounter sparked wide reactions across social media.

According to The Hill, Trump made a point of welcoming his rival Mamdani with striking warmth and congratulated him on his election victory, despite previously launching harsh attacks against him—including calling him a “communist” in the post announcing their meeting.

A Surprisingly Warm Exchange

Although the ideological gap between the two men is large, they focused this time on common ground: the issue of affordability and their shared desire to see New York thrive.

But while the substance of the conversation was remarkable, the tone of the meeting was even more surprising. Both men appeared notably friendly—in their gestures as well as in their small comments.

For example, Trump repeatedly stepped in to defend Mamdani from hostile journalist questions. He also expressed—almost in a fatherly tone—his hope that a photo taken of Mamdani next to a portrait of Franklin Roosevelt would “turn out nicely.”

Key Winners, Losers, and Takeaways From the Meeting

Zohran Mamdani: The Biggest Winner

By all accounts, the meeting was a major success for the 34-year-old mayor-elect. Mamdani achieved his primary goal: finding common ground with Trump without compromising his principles.

Trump’s earlier warnings—about possibly cutting off federal funding or deploying the National Guard—now seem off the table, at least for the moment, even if the future remains unpredictable given the president’s temperament.

For months, Mamdani’s political opponents and right-wing media attempted to paint him as a dangerous extremist. But Trump—who had previously echoed these attacks—effectively dismantled that narrative during the meeting.

Trump told reporters: “The better he does his job, the happier I am.” When asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York under Mamdani’s leadership, Trump replied: “Yes, I would. Absolutely. Especially after this meeting.”

Though the far left might criticize Mamdani for meeting with Trump, he did not soften his previous positions. “There may be ideological differences,” Mamdani said, “but where we agree is on the work needed to make New York affordable.”

Donald Trump Also Won

Trump’s aggressive, abrasive style often hides the fact that he can be highly politically shrewd. The meeting with Mamdani was a clear example.

He transformed the encounter into a major media event, surprised audiences with his friendly tone toward an ideological adversary, and presented himself as someone seeking common ground on affordability.

Trump emphasized that he and Mamdani share more overlap than many assume. Referring to the 2016 presidential race, he noted that many voters who supported Bernie Sanders in the primaries ended up voting for him in the general election—“just like Mamdani.”

Trump nodded approvingly as Mamdani spoke about New Yorkers who supported Trump in 2024 because of affordability issues.

The only potential downside: whether Trump’s right-wing base—including conservative media figures—will view his friendliness toward Mamdani as unacceptable.

Mamdani’s Opponents: The Biggest Losers

Republicans in Congress had been preparing a campaign to link Democrats to Mamdani, portraying both as extreme and dangerous. But Trump destroyed that strategy in under 30 minutes.

When a journalist cited Rep. Elise Stefanik’s accusation that Mamdani was a “jihadist,” and asked Trump whether he felt he was sitting next to a “jihadist,” Trump replied: “No, I don’t feel that.” He added: “I met a very rational man… someone who really wants to see New York great again.”

This response was a devastating blow to Stefanik’s own campaign for New York mayor; Gov. Kathy Hochul’s team issued a statement saying Trump had “just torpedoed the core of Stefanik’s campaign.”

Even if Trump later changes course and attacks Mamdani again, the Republicans’ hopes of launching a fear-based campaign against him next year have suffered a major blow—delivered by Trump himself.

Mamdani’s Media Critics Also Lost

One of the most striking elements of the Oval Office meeting was how easily hostile questions aimed at Mamdani were dismantled.

Not only did Trump reject calling Mamdani a “jihadist” or express comfort living under his administration—he even intervened when Mamdani was pressed on whether he considered the president a “fascist.”

Mamdani barely began his answer before Trump laughed and said: “It’s okay—you can just say yes… it’s easier. I don’t mind.” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins said the moment “summed up the entire meeting.”

Earlier in the day, Fox News aired a large graphic calling the meeting a “confrontation with socialism.” After the meeting, progressive journalist Prem Thakker reposted the graphic sarcastically, writing: “Did you see how that went?”

New York City: A Major Winner

Though the tone and visuals grabbed headlines, the meeting carried important practical implications—and so far they are overwhelmingly positive.

The likelihood of cooperation between Trump and Mamdani has risen significantly, a crucial development given Trump’s earlier threats to cut nearly $7 billion in federal funding.

Trump confirmed this himself: “The idea that we’ll work together for the good of the largest city in the country could have a very real impact.”

A Meeting Worth Watching

At the end of the meeting, Trump spoke warmly about the media attention it received, pleased that Mamdani’s visit drew more interest than visits from world leaders. With his television instincts, Trump recognized—correctly—that the meeting made compelling viewing.

Whether one likes or dislikes Trump or Mamdani, their encounter was a fascinating event worth watching.