4 hours agoShareSaveKayla EpsteinShareSaveUS President Donald Trump met New York City’s newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House in what was billed as the political showdown of the year – but instead became a praise fest. In his election victory speech, the self-described Democratic socialist mayor called Trump a “despot”. And before Friday’s meeting, the president’s spokeswoman had billed Mamdani’s visit as a “communist coming to the White House”. But standing side-by-side in the Oval Office, the two men struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone.Over and over, both men emphasised their shared interest in addressing New York City’s affordability crisis. They smiled often, and Trump even appeared amused as reporters asked him about the political attacks Mamdani had fired his way.The tone of the meeting appeared to strike political observers off-guard, but offered a signal that both men understand that tackling the affordability crisis is critical to their political success.Whether the truce will last once Mamdani takes office on 1 January remains to be seen.Until then, “I’ll be cheering for him,” Trump said.Trump full of praiseThe rapport was evident from the moment they started speaking to the press. Facing the media after a private meeting, Mamdani stood to Trump’s right with his hands clasped, as the president sat behind the Resolute Desk. Their body language was relaxed – particularly Trump’s.Not only did Trump refrain from attacking Mamdani, he praised him numerous times.The president expressed hope that Mamdani would be a “really great mayor”. Later, the president added he was “confident that he can do a very good job”. Brushing off questions about jihad and fascismGetty ImagesMamdani and Trump traded political barbs throughout the mayoral election. A reporter in the room on Friday reminded the two men that Trump had called Mamdani a “communist” and Mamdani had referred to the president as a “despot”. Both men deflected multiple questions about their previous statements and pivoted back to praise.Trump even let Mamdani answer a question about whether the mayor-elect thought the president was a “fascist”. “That’s ok, you can just say yes,” Trump interjected, giving Mamdani a light tap on the arm and smiling. “It’s easier than explaining.”The closest Trump came to criticising Mamdani’s politics was telling reporters: “He’s got views that are little out there.”Perhaps most striking, Trump dismissed a question echoing an attack on Mamdani by one of Trump’s top political allies in New York.”Do you think you’re standing next to a ‘jihadist’ right now in the oval office?” a reporter asked, quoting Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is mounting a run for governor of New York state.”No I don’t,” Trump quickly replied.”You say things sometimes in a campaign,” Trump said of Stefanik. “She’s a very capable person.”Bonding over New York rootsGetty ImagesMamdani and Trump have somethi …
