US President Donald Trump had an unexpectedly cordial meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday. After their private talk, the two had a meeting with journalists in the Oval Office, and the atmosphere was extremely relaxed, as evidenced by the US president's intervention on a potentially awkward and uncomfortable question for the Democratic politician.
Trump had a friendly attitude towards Mamdani for whom he had no words of praise in the election campaign in which he was dueling with the former Democratic mayor Andrew Como. He declared the Democrat, who campaigned on a cost-of-living platform, a communist with potentially radical ideas.
The Republican president greeted the media in the Oval Office, “a super meeting” and congratulated him on the “incredible campaign”.
On November 4, Zohran Mamdani obtained over 50% of the votes cast, in an election with a record turnout of over two million inhabitants.
“I intend to make it clear to President Trump that I will cooperate with him on any program in favor of New Yorkers. If a program hurts New Yorkers, I will be the first to say so,” said the elected Democrat.
“We want the city we all love to succeed (…). We will help it realize the dreams of New Yorkers,” declared the billionaire.
“I think you're going to have, I hope, a great mayor. The more successful he is, the more satisfied I'll be. We're going to help him fulfill everyone's dream of a strong and safe New York,” Trump said.
“I appreciated our meeting, I can't wait to cooperate with him to make the city more accessible,” said the young democrat.
“He has a little more special ideas. I have a lot of confidence that he will do a good job (…). He will surprise some conservatives,” the American president concluded.
An unexpected scene also took place between the two, which Trump passed over with humor and indulgence.
When asked by a journalist if he thinks that Donald Trump is a fascist, the elected mayor of New York tried to offer an explanation, but was interrupted by the American president.
“It's okay. I understand. You can just say yes. It's easier. It's easier than explaining. I don't mind,” Trump told her.
“Yes,” replied the mayor-elect of New York City.
Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist and an advocate for immigrants, was born in Uganda to an Indian family
