Trump said Zohran Mamdani looked ‘better in person’ ahead of White House meeting

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is said to have greeted New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani with a rather effusive compliment upon his arrival at the Oval Office last month, setting the stage for a surprisingly warm White House summit. 

According to a recent profile in New York Magazine, the lovefest began privately before the cameras rolled.

“Wow, you are even better looking in person than you are on TV,” Trump remarked as the 34-year-old democratic socialist entered the room. Reporter David Freedlander noted, “The tone never changed from there, with Trump seeming legitimately impressed by Mamdani.”

The two leaders smiled broadly and appeared at ease side-by-side during the November 21 meeting in front of reporters. At one point, when Mamdani was pressed about past description of Trump as a “fascist,” the president chuckled and told the Mayor-elect, “That’s OK, you can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it.”

Pre-meeting tensions and sharp jabs

The cordial encounter stood in stark contrast to the heated rhetoric exchanged in the lead-up to Mamdani's victory. Trump had repeatedly branded the incoming mayor a “communist lunatic,” nicknaming him “My Little Communist.”

In October, Trump said Mamdani is "down and dirty. He hates police. He’s threatened to get rid of all police. He hates Jewish people, and yet he has Jewish people supporting him.”

Mamdani, for his part, had labeled Trump a “fascist” and a “despot.” In his election night speech, he directly addressed the President. “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him... Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up," he said.

Mamdani also criticized Trump's “cruel and inhumane” ICE raids in recent interviews.

Days after the meeting, Mamdani told reporters, “Everything that I’ve said in the past I continue to believe,” while still viewing the discussion as productive.

Post-meeting praise, touting shared priorities

Despite lingering disagreements, both men embraced common ground on New York's challenges. Trump was optimistic. “We’ve just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting. We have one thing in common. We want this city of ours that we love to do very well. He ran an incredible race," he gushed.

Trump added, “A lot of my voters actually voted for Zohran Mamdani... One in 10, and I'm OK with that,” and noted, “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. The better he does, the happier I am.”

Trump further shared that his views had evolved. “I can tell you that some of my views have changed... I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people," the President insisted.

Mamdani highlighted their practical discussions. “I’ve always kept it a conversation that’s focused on the welfare of New Yorkers... And the fact that New Yorkers are still struggling under a cost-of-living crisis," he told reporters.

The duo spoke about rent, groceries, utilities, housing, and even followed up by phone on affordability and ICE raids. Mamdani called it “the most productive meeting we could have had,” while recounting lighter moments like admiring an FDR portrait and flipping through a UFC book.

Trump posted on social media that it was a “great honor” to host Mamdani, sharing photos from the visit.