Zohran Mamdani stands by calling Trump a 'fascist' and 'despot' despite White House meeting

WASHINGTON, DC: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said that he continues to believe President Donald Trump is a “fascist” and a “despot,” even after their first face-to-face meeting at the White House on Friday, November 21. 

Speaking on NBC News' 'Meet the Press', Mamdani said that the description still stands, but he stressed that the meeting presented an “opportunity” to work together on the cost-of-living crisis facing New Yorkers.

Despite months of trading insults during the campaign, the tone inside the Oval Office had been markedly warmer. Trump told reporters that he would be “cheering” for Mamdani, while the mayor-elect described their conversation as “productive.”

When asked whether he regretted calling Trump a fascist, Trump interjected jokingly, “That’s OK, you can just say it… it’s easier than explaining it.”

Zohran Mamdani says focus remains on shared priorities 

Mamdani said the two did not shy away from points of deep political disagreement but focused on shared concerns such as soaring housing, food and transport costs.

He said that he told Trump he had spent months speaking with New Yorkers, including many who voted for Trump in 2024, who consistently said the cost of living was their top issue.

“When you actually ask New Yorkers and listen to them, you hear it come back to affordability,” Mamdani said. He pointed to Trump’s own campaign pledge to lower costs “on Day 1” and said their White House discussion centered on what was blocking progress.

Campaign attacks give way to pragmatism

Before Election Day, Trump repeatedly attacked Mamdani online, calling him a “communist lunatic” and threatening to cut federal funding to New York City if he won. Mamdani had also labeled Trump a “despot.”

The president even endorsed Mamdani’s rival, former Gov Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.

But on Friday, when asked about the “despot” remark, Trump brushed it off. “I’ve been called much worse,” he said, adding he believed Mamdani might change his mind once they begin working together.

Mamdani said his focus is on governing, not point-scoring. “I’m not coming into the Oval Office to make a stand. I’m coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers,” he said.

Zohran Mamdani discusses security issues and federal tensions

Mamdani also raised Trump’s threats to deploy National Guard troops to New York City, something the president had already done in several Democratic-led cities.

Mamdani did not disclose whether Trump ruled out such action, but said that he emphasized his confidence in the NYPD to maintain public safety.

Asked separately whether he would send troops to New York, Trump responded, “If they need it,” adding that other cities currently required more urgent intervention.

One of Mamdani’s signature proposals is raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents to fund housing, transit and social programs. He will need approval from Gov Kathy Hochul and the state legislature.

Mamdani declined to say whether Hochul supports the plan but said both are aligned on improving affordability. “If there are alternatives that raise the same amount of money, I’m open,” he added.