Trump has embraced Mamdani!

Donald Trump, the President of the United States and a man with quite an unusual personality, loves to surprise people. His meeting on Friday with Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Mayor of New York, shocked everyone. Mamdani, who ran as the Democratic Party’s candidate, describes himself as a “Democratic Socialist.” Trump, however, had called Mamdani a “crazy communist” and claimed that a New York led by him would become unlivable. Trump had even urged support for Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor who ran as an independent rather than backing his own party’s nominee. Of course, Mamdani had also used harsh words for Trump during the campaign.

Mamdani was targeted by the “Israel Lobby,” “Neocons,” and “Republicans” for criticizing Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The pro-Israel centrist wing of the Democratic Party, led by Senate Democrats’ leader Chuck Schumer, distanced itself from Mamdani’s campaign. Zionists, who branded Mamdani an “antisemitic jihadist Muslim,” ran a campaign claiming that New York would become “unsafe” for Jews. Zionist rabbis even urged New York’s Jewish community to be ready to leave the city. Yet the majority of young Jewish New Yorkers supported Mamdani.

Trump had said he might suspend federal funding allocated to New York if Mamdani won. He also accused Jews considering voting for Mamdani of being foolish. But during the Trump–Mamdani meeting, all of these accusations were suddenly tossed in the “trash.”

Bill Ackman, the pro-Israel billionaire investor, had donated millions to Cuomo’s campaign to prevent Mamdani from winning. Yet right after Mamdani’s victory, Ackman posted on social media: “Congratulations on your win. You now have a huge responsibility. If there’s anything I can do to help New York, please let me know.” This message, too, surprised many.

Ackman’s olive branch—followed by Trump’s—naturally drew attention. Reporters tried to stir things up by bringing up the harsh exchanges between Trump and Mamdani during the campaign, but Trump dismissed their importance. On the contrary, Trump surprised everyone by saying he believed Mamdani would be a great mayor. Trump even said that most of his own voters supported Mamdani and that Mamdani’s actions might surprise some conservatives.

Another notable point Trump made was rejecting the claim that New York under Mamdani would become unlivable. Trump said, “We agree on far more than I expected,” while Mamdani also emphasized that their meeting highlighted common ground rather than differences. Trump said he would help Mamdani make New York great again. According to information about the meeting, Trump and Mamdani will cooperate on affordable housing, energy, food, rents, and childcare costs for New Yorkers.

Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally in Congress who is running for governor in 2026, had called Mamdani a “communist jihadist.” Reporters asked Trump whether he agreed with Stefanik’s label. Trump said he did not, noting that Stefanik was in campaign mode and adding, “These things happen.” His words caused a stir among the Netanyahu-aligned wing of the “Israel Lobby” backing Stefanik. Stefanik, for her part, said her description of Mamdani remained unchanged.

Trump also praised Mamdani’s decision to keep New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her position. Trump noted that his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner had long been close friends with Tisch. As a member of a wealthy Jewish family that donates to Republicans, Tisch’s continued role is seen as a source of reassurance for the Jewish community, which makes up 12 percent of the city. The Tisch family is known to have donated more than $1 million to the campaign of Mamdani’s opponent, the pro-Israel Andrew Cuomo.

In the end, both Trump and Mamdani emphasized that their White House meeting was highly productive. Some say Trump’s praise for Mamdani is intended to deepen the divide between “Centrist Democrats” and “Left-wing Democrats.” Trump’s compliments have certainly boosted Mamdani’s national profile. It is also clear that the entire “Israel Lobby” is deeply unsettled by Trump’s positive remarks about Mamdani.