In a striking political development, New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has publicly reaffirmed his belief that former President Donald Trump is a 'fascist' and a 'despot', merely days after the pair shared a surprisingly cordial meeting at the White House.
From Cordiality to Criticism
The encounter, which took place in the Oval Office on Friday, was highly anticipated given the intense rhetoric both figures had previously exchanged. Trump had previously labelled Mamdani a 'communist lunatic', making expectations of a contentious meeting high.
Instead, the meeting produced warm words and a commitment to collaborate. Donald Trump expressed confidence in Mamdani's capabilities, stating, 'I feel very confident that he can do a good job' and even suggesting the mayor-elect would 'surprise some conservative people'.
The two politicians found common ground on key issues affecting their shared city, agreeing to work together on pressing matters such as housing, food prices, and the overall cost of living. They also bonded over a mutual affection for New York.
Reaffirming Stances After the Handshake
However, the spirit of cooperation did not last long. Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Mamdani was directly asked if he still considered Trump a threat to democracy.
He left no room for doubt, replying, 'Everything that I've said in the past I continue to believe.' He emphasised the importance of not shying away from political disagreements, even after a productive conversation.
This stance echoes his victory speech on 4 November, where he positioned New York as a 'light' in a 'moment of political darkness' and directly challenged the former president.
Policy Agreements and Personnel Decisions
Beyond the fiery rhetoric, the meeting yielded tangible discussions. Mamdani described the conversation to NBC as one focused on 'the need to deliver on this agenda' and noted his appreciation for Trump personally touring him around the Cabinet Room.
In a significant move for continuity, Mamdani has decided to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who was initially appointed by former mayor Eric Adams. Mamdani credited her with driving down crime across the five boroughs and beginning to uproot corruption in the department.
This decision has been praised by the White House. Kevin Hasset, director of the National Economic Council, stated they were 'really reassured' by the move, noting that law and order had deteriorated under previous New York administrations.
Despite this agreement, Commissioner Tisch acknowledged in an email to officers that she and the mayor-elect do not see eye-to-eye on everything, notably on her support for hiring 5,000 more uniformed officers, a plan Mamdani does not endorse.
