Trump, Mamdani turn into allies

President Donald Trump on Friday met the man who had proudly proclaimed himself “Donald Trump's worst nightmare,” but he seemed to find the opposite.

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PRESIDENT Donald Trump listens as New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

(AP)

The Republican president and New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani were warm and friendly, speaking repeatedly of their shared goals to help Trump's hometown rather than their combustible differences.

Trump, who had in the past called Mamdani a "100% Communist Lunatic" and a “total nut job," spoke openly of how impressed he was with the man who had called his administration “authoritarian.”

“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually," Trump said of the democratic socialist as Mamdani stood next to him in the Oval Office.

The meeting offered political opportunities for both men. For Mamdani, a sit-down offered the state lawmaker — who until recently was relatively unknown — the chance to go head-to-head with the most powerful person in the world.