US President Donald Trump on Friday hailed his first Oval Office meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as ‘great’ and “very productive”, extending an unexpected olive branch to a political rival he had spent months attacking on the campaign trail.
“We’ve just had a great meeting. A really good and a very productive meeting,” Trump said from behind the Resolute Desk, with Mamdani standing beside him. The two emerged after a closed-door session that marked a striking shift in tone from their earlier public clashes.
Trump, who had repeatedly mocked Mamdani during the mayoral race, applauded the 34-year-old’s victory and insisted he wanted the incoming mayor to succeed. “The better he does, the happier I am. We have one thing in common: We want this city of ours that we love to do incredibly well,” the President said.
Trump also suggested the mayor-elect might be more flexible than expected. Standing over Trump’s shoulder, Mamdani listened as the President declared, “I think he’s going to change on some of his views. Some of my views have changed too, since I entered public office. I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people”.
