Charlamagne tha God says Trump–Mamdani meeting proves ‘fascist and communist’ labels are for show

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Charlamagne tha God had some thoughts Monday after President Donald Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani showed up at the White House acting more like old colleagues than arch enemies.

The timing made the moment even more interesting. Two assassination attempts on Trump and the murder of TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk have sparked a national debate about whether throwing around terms like “fascist” is contributing to an already dangerous climate.

But despite months of charged rhetoric from both sides, Trump and Mamdani’s meeting turned out to be unexpectedly warm.

Charlamagne tha God calls out hypocrisy

On Monday’s 'Donkey of the Day' segment on 'The Breakfast Club', Charlamagne argued the whole encounter proved politicians use extreme labels far more casually than they want voters to believe.

"I don't want to hear any politicians call each other ‘fascists,’ ‘authoritarians,’ ‘wannabe dictators,’ ‘communists,’ none of that kind of rhetoric anymore. It's all dead. Because if you call someone that, and then turn around and say, ‘But I'm willing to work with them,’ it looks hypocritical," he said.

Charlamagne pointed to Mamdani’s Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, where he doubled down on his past comments. The mayor-elect told host Kristen Welker that he still believes Trump is a fascist, but would still work with him.

Charlamagne wasn't having it. "So, if Zohran truly believes Trump is a fascist, then working with him makes zero sense, but this is my issue. He doesn't fully believe Trump is a fascist, just like Trump doesn't fully believe Mamdani is a communist. It's all political theater," he said.

Charlamagne argued that while the rhetoric alone is irresponsible, the fallout lands hardest on everyday Americans.

"You know who it hurts the most? Us!" he said. "You done told your aunt and three of your cousins, ‘F you, you [are] not invited to Thanksgiving this year’ because of who they supported politically. Meanwhile, the people we supported politically are willing to support each other. If Zohran and Trump can be in the White House smiling at each other and excessively touching on each other, then you and your family can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together. Okay?"

He called on politicians not to cheapen words that actually carry real meaning. "Listen, to all elected officials, if you call somebody a ‘fascist’ or ‘communist,’ but then sit down and work with them like everything is normal, you make those words meaningless. Alright? It's dangerous to do that. It's dangerous to weaken those terms, and it confuses the public!"

Unexpectedly cordial meeting

The November 21 White House sit-down came after months of public jabs. Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist born in Uganda who pulled off an upset win in New York City, arrived in the Oval Office for a private conversation with Trump and chief of staff Susie Wiles.

Trump himself had previously blasted Mamdani as a "100% Communist Lunatic" and warned he’d send in federal troops or withhold funding from the city. Yet on Thursday, he praised Mamdani’s victory and sounded upbeat about working together.

In a lighter moment that went viral, a reporter brought up Mamdani’s past labeling of Trump as a "fascist" and "despot." Before the mayor-elect could respond, Trump tapped him on the back and reassured, "That's OK, you can just say yes—it's easier than explaining it. I don't mind."

Caught in the moment, Mamdani quickly pivoted to an “affordability agenda” they agreed on that could help working-class New Yorkers across the board.