Overview
- Trump called Zohran Mamdani "a very rational person" and said "the better he does, the happier I am," signaling a public thaw after months of attacks.
- Both said they found common ground on affordability and public safety, citing rent, groceries, utilities, housing and crime as shared priorities.
- During the press exchange, Trump repeatedly stepped in to deflect pointed questions, even telling Mamdani to simply confirm he had called the president a fascist.
- Trump rejected a "jihadist" smear against Mamdani and said he would feel comfortable living in New York under the incoming mayor’s leadership.
- The roughly half-hour Nov. 21 Oval Office meeting marked their first in-person encounter, as Mamdani continues transition work ahead of his Jan. 1 swearing-in.