Former President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who previously traded sharp political barbs, held a surprisingly cordial first meeting at the White House on Friday.
The encounter, which took place in the Oval Office, defied expectations given their history of mutual antagonism.
Trump reportedly smiled, patted Mamdani’s arm, and praised the meeting as “much better than expected.”
The former president also stated, “We have more in common than I thought,” emphasizing a shared goal of “making New York City better again.”
Both men reportedly laughed when journalists brought up their past harsh exchanges.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old socialist Democrat, expressed appreciation for Trump’s willingness to seek common ground for New Yorkers’ benefit.
Trump, who previously labeled Mamdani a “radical communist,” corrected his stance, describing him as “very reasonable.”
Before the election, Trump had threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if Mamdani won the mayoral race.
Their public spats included accusations from Trump regarding Mamdani’s views on immigration and alleged extremism. Mamdani had previously called Trump a “fascist.”
The unexpected warmth between the two leaders prompted widespread surprise among politicians and the public alike, according to Reuters.