Khaberni - The American President Donald Trump met with the newly elected Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, at the White House, in an event described as the political showdown of the year. Contrary to expectations, the meeting turned into an occasion full of mutual praise.
In his election victory speech, the city mayor, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, called Trump "a tyrant."
Before the Friday meeting, the American President's spokeswoman described Mamdani's visit as "a communist visit to the White House."
However, standing side by side in the Oval Office, the two men adopted an unexpectedly conciliatory tone.
Throughout the meeting, the men reiterated their shared interest in addressing the affordability crisis in New York City, smiling frequently and even Trump appeared amused when journalists asked him about the political attacks Mamdani had launched at him.
The tone of the meeting surprised political observers, but it indicated that the men realize that addressing the affordability crisis is crucial for their political success.
Now, we will have to wait to see if the truce will hold after Mamdani takes office on January 1st.
During the meeting, Trump said: "I will encourage him (Mamdani)."
Trump lavishes praise
The harmony was evident from the moment the two men began speaking with the press.
After a private meeting, Mamdani stood on Trump’s right, shaking his hands, while the president sat behind his desk.
Their body language was relaxed, especially on Trump's part.
Trump not only refrained from attacking Mamdani, but also praised him repeatedly.
The president expressed hope that Mamdani "will be a great mayor."
Trump later added that he is "confident of his ability to do an excellent job."
Ignoring questions about jihad and fascism
Mamdani and Trump have one thing in common: both are New Yorkers and both have Queens as their home.
Trump’s childhood home is in Jamaica Estates, while Mamdani currently resides in Astoria.
Mamdani said that they share a love for the city.
Although Trump recently rarely spends time in the Manhattan skyscraper that bears his name, he talked nostalgically about his hometown throughout the press conference.
Trump said, "This city might be amazing - if he achieves tremendous success, I'll be very happy."
At one point, the president mentioned that if he had been in a different political life, he would have wished to become the mayor of New York himself.
Focusing on the cost of living
Perhaps one reason for the accord between the two men on Friday was their shared focus on cost of living issues.
Trump was reelected last year after vigorously attacking the rising inflation issue that upset voters in 2024. With consumer concerns growing about the cost of food, housing, and other essentials, Trump tried to convey a message of economic stability.
During his campaign in New York City, Mamdani focused heavily on the shortage of affordable housing, proposing to freeze rent increases on some fixed rent apartments, among other initiatives.
Mamdani said that he and Trump discussed how to "make affordability achievable for New Yorkers."
Whenever asked about their differing views, the newly elected mayor steered the conversation back to this topic.
In response to a question about their different views on achieving peace in the Middle East, Mamdani said Trump's voters expressed to him a desire to "end perpetual wars" and for their leaders to "address the cost of living crisis."
Regarding law enforcement and immigration, it seemed that they found common ground. Mamdani said that he and Trump discussed federal immigration law enforcement operations in New York, conveying residents' concerns about how they are conducted.
But Trump said they discussed crime more than immigration.
The president said: "He doesn't want to see crime, and I don't want to see crime."
Trump added that he has no doubt that they will agree on this issue, and also said that he would feel safe in New York under Mamdani's leadership.
Could this complicate the Republicans' strategy?
The friendly relationship that appeared on Friday might make it difficult for Republicans to use the politician who describes himself as a democratic socialist as a scare tactic in the midterm elections of 2026, which will determine who will control the U.S. Congress.
In the earlier elections this month, Republicans struggled, while Democrats won major races. It is unclear whether this trend will continue.
Republicans had plans to portray Mamdani as the face of the Democratic Party, according to the American site Axios.
These plans included depicting him as anti-police, anti-capitalist, and anti-Israel, in an attempt to give Republicans an advantage in major races.
But the Oval Office friendship could undermine this strategy.
The American president praised Mamdani, saying he believes the new mayor "will surprise some conservatives."
