Spike Lee 'puzzled' by Trump’s cordial meeting with Zohran Mamdani despite past rhetoric

TURIN, ITALY: Director Spike Lee has admitted that he is "puzzled" by the sudden Trump-Mamdani camaraderie, expressing shock that the Republican leader was willing to put politics aside for the good of the Big Apple.

Speaking at the Torino Film Festival on Saturday, November 22, Lee confessed that he was gobsmacked by the amiable nature of the Oval Office meeting on Friday. 

Lee, who had expected the president to maintain a hostile stance toward the New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a reported Democratic Socialist, appeared confused by Trump's pragmatic approach to governance.

Spike Lee ‘puzzled’ by Trump working with Zohran Mamdani

Spike Lee recounted the president's rhetoric during the campaign and noted the sharp contrast between the communist labels used then and the cordial reality now.

"He called him a communist and said New York City was going to go down the drain," Lee said at the press conference, as reported by Variety. "I mean, the president said he was going to cut off federal funding. So from the things that were said to this quick turnaround… I’m puzzled."

The filmmaker trailed off while noting, "It seems like they somehow found common ground."

Lee also challenged the fear-mongering narratives that had predicted a mass exodus from the city. "There were a lot of people saying if Mamdani won, they were going to leave New York City. Now, I really want the real numbers if anybody actually left!" he quipped.

Trump prioritizes New York City over politics in 'cordial' meeting

While critics like Lee expected "fireworks," President Trump used the Friday meeting to pledge his support for New York City, telling the media that there was "no difference in party, there's no difference in anything" when it came to fixing the metropolis.

"We have one thing in common," Trump said, standing beside Mamdani. "We want this city of ours that we love to do very well".

The president congratulated Mamdani on his "incredible race" and pledged to help him with housing and lowering costs, effectively silencing the partisan bickering that observers like Lee had anticipated.

Spike Lee 'floats' after meeting Pope Leo XIV

The Oscar-winning director also touched on his recent viral meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where he gifted the Chicago-born pontiff a customized Knicks jersey.

"We call him our brother!" Lee exclaimed, expressing the deep connection he felt with the Pontiff during their encounter.

Lee added that he was initially skeptical of the invitation, thinking the email was "fugazi" (fake), but was left "floating" after the encounter.