Trump jokes ‘that’s okay’ on Mamdani calling him a fascist

US President Donald Trump struck an unexpectedly light tone during his Oval Office meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, joking that he didn’t mind being called a fascist. The moment stood out in a conversation otherwise centred on safety, immigration and the city’s political future.

During the meeting, Mamdani acknowledged that he had previously used the term in reference to Trump. Instead of reacting sharply, Trump laughed and replied, “That’s okay. You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”

The exchange drew immediate media attention, highlighting a rare instance of humour and ease between two leaders who had spent months attacking each other during the mayoral campaign.

Despite the tense campaign history, Trump called the White House discussion a great meeting and said he was confident Mamdani could do a good job leading New York. “The better he does, the happier I am,” he said, adding that his administration would work with the new mayor to keep the city strong and very safe.

Mamdani, for his part, described the meeting as productive, noting that both sides focused on shared goals for New Yorkers rather than ideological clashes. He said the conversation prioritised public safety and cooperation.

Immigration enforcement was one of the central topics. Trump repeated that his administration would target “known murderers, drug dealers, and very bad people” and said Mamdani also wanted a safer city. “We’re going to work together,” Trump said. “I think he wants them out maybe more than I do.”

The encounter came after a heated election season in which Trump repeatedly labelled Mamdani a communist and warned of decline if he won. Trump even endorsed Mamdani’s opponent, Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent. Mamdani ultimately defeated Cuomo by nearly nine points, becoming the first Democratic socialist elected mayor of New York City.

In a Fox interview just before the meeting, Trump softened his tone, saying he believed he and Mamdani “will get along fine,” even though “their philosophies are different.” He also admitted he might have gone “too hard” on Mamdani during the campaign.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)