Donald Trump has called him a 100 percent communist lunatic. When Trump and Zohran Mamdani meet at the White House on Friday, the atmosphere is completely different.
The verbal abuse has been hurling between Donald Trump and New York's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
The president has threatened to expel the newly elected mayor or deny New York access to federal funds, among other things. He has also called Mamdani a 100 percent communist lunatic, writes the Associated Press.
Mamdani, for his part, has called the Trump administration authoritarian, Trump a fascist and described himself as Donald Trump's worst nightmare, according to AP.
– Will help
On Friday evening, the two met at the White House, face to face for the first time. Then the tone was a little different:
– We had a very productive meeting. We have one thing in common: We want this city of ours, which we love, to do well. The better he does, the happier I am. And we want to help him make everyone's dreams come true, Trump told the press after the meeting.
The two talked about crime, housing costs, rents, property taxes and the economy, the president said.
Trump says he also congratulated Mamdani on his victory, and that he believes Mamdani will surprise more conservative people.
Trump, who is from New York himself, was asked if he would consider living in New York under Mamdani.
– I want to help him. Not hurt him. I would love to be able to live in New York. We agreed on a lot more than I thought, says Trump.
He also says Mamdani has the potential to make New York great.
"If he becomes a successful mayor, I will be very happy," Trump said.
Mamdani, for his part, says he appreciated the time he had with Trump at the meeting.
– Trump and I are clear about our views and disagreements.
Following the press conference, the well-known CNN journalist, Richard Quest, described the meeting between the two as a masterful demonstration of how to get along – when you don't get along.
Mamdani, 34, was elected mayor of New York in early November. He is described as a democratic socialist and is the city's first Muslim mayor.
