President Donald Trump publicly rejected Rep. Elise Stefanik’s controversial labeling of New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani as a jihadist while praising the incoming Democratic leader during a White House meeting on Friday.
During a press conference following their discussion, Trump conveyed optimism about Mamdani’s potential to address shared priorities, including lowering the cost of living and tackling rising crime rates.
“I feel very confident that he could do a very good job. I think he is gonna surprise some conservative people, actually,” Trump said from the Oval Office.
Trump described Mamdani as “a very rational person” who “really wants to see New York be great again” and added, “I’ll be cheering for him.”
The president acknowledged that Mamdani holds some unconventional views but suggested those perspectives may evolve over time.
Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today— it’s time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics. pic.twitter.com/PUVQfuT38s
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 21, 2025
“I met with a man who’s a very rational person,” he reiterated. “I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”
Mamdani characterized the meeting as “productive,” noting that their dialogue focused on shared goals rather than disagreements.
“What I really appreciate about the president is the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, of which there are many, [but] focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani told reporters.
BREAKING: Leftists are currently SCREAMING so loud they can be heard from NASA satellites.
Mamdani is SOFT and folded like a wet paper bag.
This isn't how the commie said he would treat Trump. They will soon realize that Mamdani is just the next generation Chuck Schumer.
LMFAO pic.twitter.com/B5liosRQKv
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 21, 2025
He also highlighted the importance of delivering affordability to New Yorkers who struggle to manage expenses in the nation’s largest city.
Trump congratulated Mamdani on his electoral victory and said their conversation covered several policy areas.
“I think you’re going to have hopefully a great mayor. There’s no difference in party, there’s no difference in anything,” he praised.
“And we’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York.”
The president noted he would feel comfortable residing in New York City during Mamdani’s tenure.
Trump is so funny 😭😭😭
The reporter asked Mamdani if he still stands by his comment saying Trump is a fascist, and before Mamdani could answer, Trump said, "That's okay, you can just say yes… It's easier than explaining it." pic.twitter.com/h3imF08DkR
— George (@BehizyTweets) November 21, 2025
“Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting,” he told reporters.
Trump also referenced ideological overlap with populist progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders, commenting, “Bernie Sanders and I agreed on much more than people thought.”
At one point, Mamdani was asked whether he would reconsider his previous labeling of Trump as a fascist.
The president jumped in, jokingly suggesting Mamdani could simply answer “yes.”
“OK, all right,” Mamdani replied, and Trump added, “It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind,” while patting Mamdani’s arm.
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Despite Mamdani’s past critiques, Trump downplayed the severity, saying, “I’ve been called much worse. So it’s not that insulting. I think he’ll change his mind after we get to working together.”
Mamdani mentioned that roughly one in ten of his voters had previously supported Trump, prompting the president to respond, “And I’m okay with that.”
Mamdani, a 34-year-old assemblyman from Queens, campaigned on a far-left platform that included rent control, higher taxes on the wealthy, diverting police funds to social services, and allocating $100 million for legal aid to undocumented immigrants.
Trump acknowledged their differences but expressed hope for cooperation on public safety and immigration enforcement.
MUST-SEE: Zohran Mamdani caught the left off guard.
Mamdani: "I can tell you more New Yorkers voted for President Trump in the recent presidential election because of the cost of living."
Trump: "I got a lot of votes!" pic.twitter.com/aQjVvZkp4x
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) November 21, 2025
“If we have known murderers and known drug dealers and some very bad people, we want to get them out,” he noted.
“We discussed this at great length, actually, maybe more than anything else. He wants to have a safe New York, ultimately, a safe New York is gonna be a great New York.”
When asked about Mamdani’s potential role as a Democratic leader, Trump diplomatically deferred.
“I hope they have great leaders. This is a man that right now, I think, is focused on New York City,” he said. “I really think there’s a chance to do a great job. We’re going to help him.”
“Do you consider yourself the leader of the Democrats?” he asked Mamdani. “I think it’s more appropriate for him.”
Mamdani maintained his focus on the city, stating, “I consider myself the next mayor of New York City, and I keep my horizons firmly on New York City, and I appreciate the meeting with the President, which focused again on the five boroughs and whether New Yorkers could afford to live there.”
Trump highlighted the significance of governing New York, noting, “By the way, being the mayor of New York City is a big deal. I always said, you know, one of the things I would have loved to be someday is the mayor of New York City.”
“Being the mayor of New York, and especially now, because I think you’re at really a turning point, one way or the other,” he continued.
“It could go great, or it could go in a different direction. And I think you really have a chance to make it great.”
Asked if trump believes Elise Stefanik's criticism calling Zohran Mamdani a jihadist, he said no.
"I met with a man who is a very rational person."
HOLY SHIT.
I'm speechless. pic.twitter.com/bOTgC2WxVq— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) November 21, 2025
Addressing Stefanik’s controversial comments, Trump rejected the characterization of Mamdani as a jihadist.
When asked if he believed he was standing next to a jihadist, Trump said, “No, I don’t. But she’s out there campaigning, and you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign.”
“She’s a very capable person. But, you’d really have to ask her about that. I met with a man who is a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again,” he acknowledged.
Stefanik, a Trump ally and former UN ambassador nominee, later commented on X, saying, “we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.”
She is expected to secure the Republican nomination for governor in next year’s election and challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Watch the full press conference here:
