Trump to Mamdani: 'I Expect to Be Helping Him, Not Hurting Him' in Stunning Oval Office Reset

President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, two men who spent the past year hurling the sharpest insults imaginable at each other, stood side-by-side in the Oval Office Friday and declared their first face-to-face meeting a surprising success.

Trump, seated at the Resolute Desk, congratulated the democratic socialist on his November victory and predicted Mamdani would do a "great job" as mayor.

The president went further, declaring, "We agree on a lot more than I would have thought."

The two New Yorkers said they found common ground on lowering the cost of living, fighting crime, and building more housing.

Trump explicitly walked back his campaign-season threat to withhold federal funds from the city, stating, "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him."

When a reporter asked if he would now feel comfortable living in New York under a Mamdani administration, Trump answered without hesitation, "Yes, I would. I really would, especially after the meeting. Absolutely."

Mamdani, standing at the president’s side, said the two share a "shared love" for the city and a desire to make life more affordable for its 8.5 million residents.

On immigration enforcement, Mamdani raised concerns about federal ICE operations inside the city. Trump pushed back gently, insisting the main topic was crime, not immigration.

"He doesn’t want to see crime and I don’t want to see crime," the president said. "And I have very little doubt we are going to get along with that issue."

Moments of levity broke through the tension.

When a reporter pressed Mamdani on past statements calling Trump a "fascist," the president smiled, tapped the mayor-elect on the arm, and said, “You can just say yes… it’s easier."

Mamdani replied tepidly, "Okay, yes."

Asked if he still stood by labeling Mamdani a "communist," Trump acknowledged the mayor-elect’s views are "a little out there" but predicted, "He’ll surprise some conservative people."

Trump even defended Mamdani against a question about flying to Washington instead of taking the train.

"I’ll stick up for you," the president said.

The two also found agreement on ending "forever wars" and pursuing Middle East peace, with Trump noting they both want to see stability in Lebanon.

Mamdani told reporters he initiated the meeting because he promised voters he would work with anyone who could help ease the city’s crushing affordability crisis.

This is what a reset looks like in real time: a president who once vowed to financially punish New York and a mayor-elect who promised to be "Donald Trump’s worst nightmare" now pledging cooperation on the issues that matter most to the city they both call home.

For now, the insults are on hold, the threats are off the table, and the focus, both men insist, is on results.

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