NYC mayor-elect calls Trump meeting an ‘opportunity’, but when asked about his past comments, he reveals what he really thinks about the president

New York’s new Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani didn’t hold back this weekend. Even after a surprisingly friendly meeting with President Trump on Friday at the White House, he still thinks the president is a “fascist” and a “despot.” That’s a pretty bold claim to stick with, especially right after meeting the president in person. Mamdani went on Meet the Press on Saturday with Kristen Welker. She asked him directly if he still stood by the harsh words he said during his campaign.

According to NBC News, Mamdani confirmed, “That’s something I’ve said in the past and I say today.” He mentioned that when someone asked him this question during the actual meeting, President Trump joked and told him, “That’s OK, you can just say it. It’s easier, it’s easier than explaining it.”

Mamdani said he appreciated that he and the president weren’t “shy about the places of disagreement” during their talk. Even with those strong disagreements, the mayor-elect saw the meeting as an “opportunity” to work together on important issues like lowering the cost of living for New Yorkers.

Political maturity wins over campaign insults

You have to respect the grown-up approach here. After months of throwing insults at each other on the campaign trail, the two were all smiles on Friday. President Trump told reporters he’d be “cheering” for Mamdani, and the mayor-elect called the conversation “productive.”

Mamdani explained that his goal wasn’t about making a political statement. He said he wasn’t coming into the Oval Office “to make a point or make a stand.” Instead, he wanted to deliver real results for New Yorkers.

This focus on getting things done seems to be the key to their sudden peace. Mamdani told Welker that during the campaign, he went out of his way to talk to New Yorkers in the Bronx and Queens who had voted for President Trump in 2024.

When he asked them why they supported the president, they kept telling him it was about the “cost of living, cost of living, cost of living.” Mamdani shared this important information with the president, bringing their focus together on the shared goal of tackling the affordability crisis. For New Yorkers already dealing with expensive new traffic enforcement measures, relief can’t come soon enough.

It sounds like a smart move for Mamdani to shift away from political insults and toward the money issues that really matter to his voters. The friendly mood of the meeting is a huge change from the campaign talk.

When asked if Trump ruled out sending troops to New York City, Mamdani didn’t give a straight answer. He did stress his faith in local police, telling the president that “we have the NYPD, and I trust the NYPD to deliver public safety.”

President Trump later confirmed that he would send troops “If they need it,” adding that other places right now need the help more. Mamdani’s local policy plans are also facing some challenges. He has promised to raise taxes on the city’s richest people to pay for key policies.

This plan needs approval from Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers in Albany. While he couldn’t confirm if Hochul is on board, he did say he thinks she’ll work with him to deliver on affordability. He thinks raising taxes “make the most sense,” but is open to other options if they raise the same amount of money. With tourists already facing issues like nightmare NYC hotel booking problems, the city needs strong financial planning.

It’s clear Mamdani is focused on building connections, even within his own party. Before the election, many top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, never endorsed him. However, Mamdani is backing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, asking local Democratic Socialists not to challenge Jeffries in a primary.