Overview
- During Friday’s Oval Office session, Trump called the conversation “very productive,” praised Mamdani as “very rational,” and said he would support his mayoralty.
- On NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Mamdani reaffirmed that he considers Trump a “fascist,” even as he described the meeting as focused on housing, childcare, and food prices.
- Reporters recorded Trump telling Mamdani it was “okay” to answer yes to the fascist question, a moment cheered by Vice President JD Vance and criticized by Republicans including Elise Stefanik and activist Laura Loomer.
- Mamdani outlined potential cooperation on fixing slow building and permitting processes while maintaining New York City’s sanctuary rules and local control over public safety.
- The meeting followed months of campaign attacks in which Trump labeled Mamdani a communist and threatened punitive steps against New York; Mamdani, 34, takes office on January 1 as the city’s first Muslim mayor.