Zohran Mamdani reveals the ‘weirdest’ thing he saw at Trump’s White House
WASHINGTON, DC: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has shared the surprising and undeniably “weirdest” thing he saw inside the White House while waiting to meet President Donald Trump last week. Speaking on 'The Adam Friedland Show' on Monday, Mamdani recounted a moment that left him both amused and confused as he prepared for one of the most unexpected meetings of his political career.
According to Mamdani, as he waited for his appointed meeting time, a selection of glossy coffee-table books caught his eye. One in particular made him freeze. “In front of me are all of these different coffee-table books,” he said on the show. “And one of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flippin’, flippin’ through that.”
When asked if he would attend the upcoming UFC event at the White House scheduled for June, Mamdani quickly responded, “No,” immediately cracking up the room.
Mamdani and Trump: from ‘communist lunatic’ to Oval Office praise
The lighthearted revelation stands in direct contrast to the bitter feud between Trump and Mamdani during the mayoral race. Trump repeatedly called the Democrat a “communist lunatic” and even threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if he won.
Despite the hostility, Mamdani went on to win the November 4 election after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo twice, first in the Democratic primary and again when Cuomo attempted a last-minute independent run supported by Republican Curtis Sliwa.
In a surprising pivot, Trump warmly embraced Mamdani during their meeting, praising him publicly and telling reporters he’d feel “comfortable living in Mamdani’s New York City.”
How Zohran Mamdani stayed focused during Donald Trump’s praise
On the Friedland show, Mamdani explained how he maintained composure during the joint White House press event, which stunned many observers.
“Honestly, I was just thinking about New York City,” he said, explaining he stayed focused on priorities such as affordability, housing costs, utilities, child care, and food prices. His campaign centered on these issues, which remained top-of-mind throughout the meeting.
Zohran Mamdani doubles down on calling Donald Trump a fascist, calls meeting 'productive’
In an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Mamdani confirmed he still considers Trump a fascist. At one point during the press conference, a reporter asked if he stood by the label, prompting Trump to interject that he didn’t mind because it was “easier than explaining” more complex interpretations.
Even so, Mamdani said their discussion was “productive,” highlighting shared concerns among New Yorkers, including those who voted for Trump, around affordability. He cited zoning policies, construction costs, and $22,500-per-child annual childcare expenses as major barriers.
Inside the White House: UFC books, historic portraits, unexpected camaraderie
Beyond the UFC book, Mamdani described touring the Cabinet Room and viewing historic presidential portraits, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, a figure he deeply admires. He drew comparisons between his own ambitions for New York and the legendary partnership between FDR and Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the New Deal era.
“You can’t tell the story of LaGuardia without telling the story of FDR,” he said, noting he hopes for a similar relationship with the federal government.
Trump also posted on Truth Social after the meeting: “It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!”
Zohran Mamdani’s message to New Yorkers ahead of January 1
Mamdani echoed a message he later shared on X: “Working people have been left behind in New York… as I told Trump today, it’s time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics.”
He will officially take office on January 1.
