Just days after meeting President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed his belief that Trump is a fascist and a threat to democracy. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Mamdani said, “And that’s something that I’ve said in the past. I say it today.”
Despite the sharp political differences, Mamdani described the meeting as productive, noting that he and Trump “were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment.” The two reportedly focused on issues affecting New Yorkers, including public safety and affordability.
Mamdani emphasized that his goal in attending the Oval Office meeting was to deliver results for New Yorkers, not to make a political statement. “I’m not coming into the Oval Office to make a point or make a stand. I’m coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers,” he said. He also stressed the importance of demonstrating that leaders with stark disagreements can still work together on practical solutions.
During a 25-minute closed-door discussion Friday, both Mamdani and Trump appeared cordial, shaking hands at a subsequent news conference. Trump commented on Mamdani’s description of him, joking, “That’s OK, you can just say ‘Yes.’ It’s easier. It’s easier than explaining it.”
The meeting came after months of heated rhetoric, with Trump previously threatening to withhold federal funding and send federal agents to New York, while Mamdani criticized ICE’s raids and the administration’s deportation policies. Mamdani said the discussion centered on ensuring that public safety and affordability efforts in New York would be led by the NYPD, making clear that federal intervention in the city was not desired.
Mamdani concluded that despite ongoing disagreements, the meeting was productive, highlighting the potential for cooperation while maintaining a firm stance on his principles.
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