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Zohran Mamdani called Trump a fascist in the Oval Office, with Trump’s permission – 20 priceless responses to the president’s love-in

Michael White. Updated November 22nd, 2025

People expected fireworks from the first meeting between Donald Trump and the mayor-elect of New York City Zohran Mamdani.

Afterall, Mamdani blasted Trump all throughout his campaign and called the president a “despot” in his election night speech. Trump, meanwhile, previously called the mayor a “communist lunatic”.

But the pair’s White House summit on Friday seemed to be all love, not war. Trump talked about their shared love of New York.

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Then came the killer moment. A reporter quoted Mamdani as calling Trump a “fascist” and asked: “Are you affirming you think President Trump is a fascist?”

Mamdani, seeming to blush, was about to answer, when Trump patted him on the arm and said: “That’s OK. You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it, I don’t mind.”

Mamdani, smiling, then said: “Yes.”

For his part, Trump said he doesn’t believe Mamdani is a “jihadist”.

There’s been a huge reaction online to the meeting, so here’s a taster of the responses.

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