Trump Mamdani Meeting 2025: President Says He’d Move Back to NYC

In a stunning political twist, President Donald Trump showered praise on New York City’s newly elected democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani during their first-ever Oval Office meeting on Friday — just weeks after calling him a “communist lunatic” and threatening to withhold federal funds from the city.

Trump went as far as saying he would feel “absolutely comfortable” moving back to New York City with Mamdani in charge, declaring: “We agree on a lot more than I would’ve thought.”

The president congratulated Mamdani on his landslide victory, praised his focus on lowering rents and grocery costs, and promised full White House support: “The better he does, the happier I am.”

From Bitter Enemies to Surprising Allies

Only weeks ago:

Trump endorsed Andrew Cuomo and warned New Yorkers not to vote for the “radical leftist” Mamdani
Mamdani called Trump a “despot” and vowed to “defeat everything he stands for”
Trump threatened to cut all federal funding to NYC if Mamdani won

Now Trump says: “I’ll really be cheering for him” and “we’re going to be helping him — a big help.”

Key Moments from the Historic Meeting

Trump: “He’s a very rational person who really wants to see New York be great again”
Mamdani: The meeting was focused on “shared love for New York City and delivering affordability”
Both men bonded over a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal
Trump admitted 1 in 10 of his own voters backed Mamdani in the mayoral race
Trump promised not to withhold funding: “I expect to be helping him, not hurting him”

MAGA Base in Shock – Progressive Left Confused

Far-right activist Laura Loomer blasted Trump: “So socialism is comfortable now?”

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) doubled down, still calling Mamdani a “jihadist” — a claim Trump explicitly rejected.

Governor Kathy Hochul praised Trump for rejecting Islamophobic attacks from his own party.

What They Actually Agree On

Despite massive ideological differences, Trump and Mamdani found common ground on:

Building massive amounts of new housing to lower rents
Cracking down on violent crime
Keeping NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
Making groceries and utilities more affordable
Rejecting the toxic campaign rhetoric of the past

Why This Meeting Changes Everything for 2026–2028

Political analysts say this surprise bromance could:

Neutralize Democratic attacks that Trump wants to “hurt cities”
Fracture the MAGA base ahead of midterms
Give Mamdani national progressive superstar status
Force both parties to rethink “nationalizing” local races

One senior Democratic strategist told Daily Trending News 360 anonymously: “If Trump keeps praising socialist mayors who beat his candidates, the entire 2026 playbook just went out the window.”

A Tale of Two New York Underdogs

Both men rose from political obscurity using viral social media, defeated establishment dynasties (Cuomo, Clinton allies), and shocked the world. Trump himself admitted the parallel — then joked: “Well, I think I’m a much better-looking person than him.”