In one of the most surprising political moments of the post-election season, President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met at the White House on November 21, 2025 — and emerged praising each other. What was expected to be a frosty confrontation turned into an hour-long discussion full of mutual respect, shared goals, and even a little physical comedy.
Watch the full press availability here:
From Bitter Campaign Rivals to Oval Office Handshakes
Just weeks ago, the tone was entirely different.
Trump had called Mamdani a “communist lunatic,” endorsed Andrew Cuomo, and threatened to cut off federal funding. Mamdani called Trump a “despot.” Fast-forward to November 21: the two Queens natives are grinning side-by-side, with Trump repeatedly patting Mamdani on the arm and at one point gently lifting the much-taller mayor-elect’s chin upward with his fingers — a paternal gesture that prompted laughter in the room.
“I’m a Changed Person!” – Trump’s Light-Hearted Admission
Perhaps the most memorable quote came when a reporter asked Trump how he could reconcile his past attacks with the warm welcome he was now giving Mamdani.
Trump, smiling broadly, replied:
“I’m a changed person! I’m a changed person!”
He then reached up and playfully lifted Mamdani’s chin (Mamdani is 6’6”, Trump is 6’3”) while adding, “Still lifting his head up!”
The room erupted in laughter, including from Mamdani, who looked down at the president with an amused grin. The moment perfectly captured the surreal, almost buddy-comedy vibe of the encounter.
What They Actually Agreed On
Both men zeroed in on kitchen-table issues:
• Bringing down skyrocketing rents
• Building far more housing
• Reducing violent crime
• Lowering the cost of groceries and utilities
• Making New York City affordable again for working families
Trump put it simply: “He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down — all things that I agree with.”
The Most Surprising Moments from the Press Spray
• Trump declared he’d “absolutely” feel comfortable moving back to New York under Mamdani’s leadership.
• When asked about Mamdani’s socialist label or past criticism of Israel, Trump brushed it aside and defended him.
• Trump joked that the media went “crazy” for this meeting more than for some foreign leaders.
• The chin-lift moment, complete with Trump’s “I’m a changed person!” line.
• Mamdani thanked Trump for focusing on shared purpose rather than “places of disagreement — which there are many.”
Why This Meeting Even Happened
Practicality trumped ideology. New York City needs its roughly $10 billion in annual federal aid, and Trump — riding high after his own reelection — is keen to show he’s focused on working-class pocketbook issues rather than endless culture wars.
Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
• Progressives: Cautiously hopeful federal funds will flow for free buses and city-owned grocery stores.
• Moderates & business leaders: Breathing a sigh of relief.
• MAGA hardliners: Baffled and angry (“Why is he nicer to a socialist than to some allies?”).
• Far-left activists: Warning Mamdani against “selling out” for a viral chin-lift moment.
Can This Truce Actually Last?
Deep policy divides remain, and Trump’s charm offensives have soured before. But for one afternoon, the image of the president literally lifting the chin of the democratic socialist he once called a “lunatic” — while declaring himself “a changed person” — will be hard to forget.
In a deeply polarized America, sometimes all it takes is a little height adjustment and a laugh to remind everyone that politics doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom
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