‘Just say yes’: Trump steps in as Zohran Mamdani is asked if he thinks POTUS is a ‘fascist’

WASHINGTON, DC: The highly anticipated Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani sparked a viral moment online, as a clip showed the pair fielding pointed questions from reporters.

When a journalist pressed Mamdani to restate his past claim that Trump was a fascist, the POTUS jumped in with a playful “just say yes,” prompting an awkward agreement from Mamdani and showcasing the president’s disarming charisma amid their stark political differences.

Trump pats Zohran Mamdani’s arm as reporter asks him if he still believes POTUS is a 'fascist'

Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Zohran Mamdani if he still believes Donald Trump is a “fascist," during a media spray in the Oval Office on Friday, November 21. 

Mamdani started to respond, but Trump cut him off from behind the Resolute Desk. “That’s OK,” Trump said, patting Mamdani’s arm. “You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”

The 10-minute exchange ended a wide-ranging meeting about affordability, housing, and public safety, and it highlighted the tension between Mamdani’s past comments and the reality of working with the Trump White House. 

This exchange came after Heinrich had asked Mamdani if he still stood by calling Trump’s agenda “fascist” and “despotic.” Mamdani avoided a direct answer, saying he planned to work with the president “where we agree” to help New York’s 8.5 million residents. Before Mamdani could finish, Trump jumped in again with a laugh, saying, “I’ve been called much worse than a despot. Maybe he’ll change his mind.”

Trump answers questions about his peace plans for Ukraine

Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich also pressed Donald Trump on Ukraine, asking how his proposed peace plan would work if President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected it. Trump answered that Ukraine would “have to like it or keep fighting,” and he repeated that US support would depend on reaching an agreement. He also claimed that casualty numbers in the war were “far higher” than publicly reported.

Heinrich also raised a question about public safety. Mamdani said he plans to keep roughly 35,000 NYPD officers. Trump followed by saying that he and Mamdani share the goal of removing “very bad people” and making the city safer. “We want New York to thrive again,” he said.

The exchange with Heinrich is likely to increase scrutiny over how Mamdani balances his progressive messaging with the practical demands of governing. Although Mamdani calls himself a democratic socialist, he said he aims to “meet the moment” and work with the Trump administration whenever possible.

Trump joked that the spray drew “more reporters than usual” and said he was open to another meeting. Mamdani agreed, saying his goal is to find areas of agreement that can “deliver for New Yorkers right away.” 

On Friday night, Trump posted several photos from the meeting on Truth Social, writing, “It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!”