Trump Says It’s “Ok” for NYC Mayor-Elect to Call Him a Fascist During White House Meeting
WASHINGTON – In a surprising exchange during a meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump told New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani it was “ok” for him to refer to the president as a fascist – a label Mamdani has publicly used. The meeting, held earlier today, saw an unusual moment of apparent acceptance from Trump regarding criticism he has previously fiercely contested.
The exchange underscores the complex dynamic between the incoming New York City administration and the outgoing presidential administration, especially as Mamdani campaigned on a platform that directly opposed Trump’s policies and rhetoric. This interaction, occurring during a period of heightened political polarization, signals a perhaps unconventional relationship between the two leaders as Mamdani prepares to take office and address pressing issues facing New York City, including public safety.
During the meeting, Trump stated that Mamdani had expressed a desire “to have a safe New York,” adding, “So we’re going to work together. We’re going to make sure that yes, there are horrible people there, we want to get them out.” trump further remarked,”I think he wants to get them out maybe more than I do.”
The exchange regarding the “fascist” label arose when a reporter asked Mamdani if he still held that belief. Mamdani began to respond, saying, “I’ve talked about that…” before Trump interjected, stating, “Okay,” and then, smiling, “He can say that.”
This moment follows Mamdani’s victory speech, in which he pledged to “reject Donald trump’s fascism,” and subsequent interviews were he reiterated his view. The incoming mayor-elect’s past statements have positioned him as a vocal critic of the president, making the cordial, if unconventional, exchange at the White House all the more notable.
