New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Meets With President Donald Trump in the Oval Office

A political brawl months in the making ended most shockingly — not with jabs and jeers, but handshakes, flattery, and what one expert called a love fest.

In an astonishing turn of events, President Donald Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shared a strikingly friendly exchange during their high-stakes Oval Office meeting on Friday — leaving jaws on the floor in Washington and beyond.

After months of mutual mudslinging, the two men — who had traded barbs and accusations during the campaign — appeared side by side, smiling like old friends, fielding questions from the press, and praising one another's vision for New York City.

From Insults to Applause: Trump Rebrands Mamdani

Trump, seated commandingly behind the Resolute Desk, greeted Mamdani with a beaming smile and warm handshake — a far cry from the insults hurled just weeks prior. Once branding the 34-year-old as a "communist," Trump now praised him repeatedly during their joint appearance.

"I expect to be helping him, not hurting him, a big help because I want New York City to be great," the president declared in a surprising show of support.

And it wasn't just the president making peace. Mamdani, who had previously called Trump a "despot" in his victory speech, returned the warmth, focusing on shared goals such as fighting crime and addressing the city’s cost-of-living crisis.

On Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, the president posted a snapshot of the moment with the glowing caption that read, "It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!"

'Like Laughing Gas Had Been Released': Experts Sound Off

Body language experts were quick to pounce on the unusual chemistry between the two men. Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and analyst, told the New York Post that the scene was positively surreal.

"It seems as though someone may have diffused laughing gas into the meeting they just had, because both President Trump and Mayor Mamdani seemed almost giddy," she said.

She didn't hold back in describing the dynamic, likening it to a "love fest." Mamdani, she said, looked like a "little school boy," while Trump remained the alpha.

"Trump was very 'hands-on,' tapping Mamdani and shaking hands with him. But, he made sure he tapped Mamdani's hand last, to indicate that Trump is the one in control," Lieberman stated.

Warm Words or Subtle Power Plays?

But not all analysts were convinced by the cheery display. British body language expert Judi James told The Mirror she saw signs of restraint and hidden tension in Trump's demeanor.

She noted the president clenched his fist, drummed on the desk, and in what she called the biggest "tell," he was seen, more than once, flashing a subtle "snarl" gesture, suggesting the friendliness may have been more for show.

Even his praise evolved suspiciously — from "great" to "good" to "very productive." Still, James conceded that the handshake looked "firm enough to suggest some kind of truce."

Trump Walks Back Past Smears: 'You Say Things Sometimes in a Campaign'

When reporters pressed Trump on his past attacks — including echoing claims from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who once called Mamdani a "jihadist" — he was uncharacteristically conciliatory.

"No, I don't," Trump replied when asked if he believed Mamdani was a jihadist. He then waved off the smear, saying, "You say things sometimes in a campaign."

Even Mamdani was roped into the act. When questioned about whether Trump was a fascist, the president leaned over and tapped his arm, smiling. "That's ok, you can just say yes. It's easier than explaining," he quipped.

From Enemies to Allies on Crime and Cost-of-Living

Despite their political gulf — Trump, a Republican president, and Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist — the two found surprising common ground.

Trump, fresh off a 2024 reelection that centered on inflation and affordability, nodded along as Mamdani laid out his bold plan to freeze rent hikes on some New York apartments.

The mayor-elect emphasized that their discussion focused on delivering affordability for struggling New Yorkers, a message Trump appeared to support.

"I met with a man who's a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. And I can say 'again' because New York was great," the president emphasized.

One uniting thread? Queens. Trump grew up in Jamaica Estates, while Mamdani resides in Astoria — a shared hometown pride that helped humanize the moment.

"This city could be unbelievable — if he could be a spectacular success, I'll be very happy," Trump said wistfully, even musing that in another era, he might have run for mayor himself.

All Eyes on January: Will the Truce Hold?

Mamdani is set to take office on January 1, 2026, and questions now swirl around whether this new tone of civility will endure once he steps into power. But as the cameras flashed and the photo-op ended, Trump delivered one final note of hope.

"I think he can bring it back. Now the question is, will he bring it back all the way? [...] I think he wants to make it greater than ever before. And if he can, we’ll be out there cheering. I'll be cheering for him," he stated.