Daily Beast: The president was so opposed to Mamdani previously that he endorsed his opponent, the lifelong Democrat Andrew Cuomo, in a last-ditch effort to keep him out of office. However, on Friday, Trump appeared over-the-top friendly with the millennial politician and even said it was OK for him to call him a “fascist” and “despot.” Trump also refused to refer to Mamdani as a communist, as his press secretary has done. “He’s got views out there, but who knows? I mean, we’re going to see what works or he’s going to change also,” Trump said. “We all change. I’ve changed a lot.”
New Republic: “Not condemning Trump,” Loomer disclaimed, before launching into her tirade. “However, I think we can all agree its a bad look to let a foreign born jihadist who said he wants to implement ANTI WHITE policies like taxing white people more money to stand behind the desk in the Oval Office.”
It seems like Trump himself would disagree with Loomer’s characterization: In the meeting, when asked if he “thought he was standing next to a jihadist,” Trump said, “No, I don’t.” When a reporter asked whether Mamdani still believed the president was a fascist, Trump said,“You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind,” while patting the mayor-elect on the arm.
Loomer, who has repeatedly accused Mamdani of supporting terrorism, must have been watching this with smoke pouring out of her ears. “What are we doing?” Loomer asked multiple times in her post. “I’m stunned.”
Fulcrum: Trump had dismissed him as a “radical socialist who wants to destroy America,” while Mamdani blasted Trump as “a corrupt demagogue who thrives on division.” Republican Senator Rick Scott piled on, branding Mamdani a “literal communist” and predicting Trump would “school” him at the White House. Representative Elise Stefanik went further, labeling him a “jihadist” during her gubernatorial campaign and, even after Trump’s praise, insisting that “if he walks like a jihadist… he’s a jihadist.”
For Republicans who had invested heavily in demonizing Mamdani, Trump’s embrace left allies fuming and fractured, caught between loyalty to their leader and the hardline attacks they had once championed. Surprisingly, Scott has not issued any follow-up statement after Trump’s conciliatory tone. In stark contrast, [MAGA New York gubernatorial candidate Elise] Stefanik doubled down, saying after the meeting, “We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. If he walks like a jihadist… he’s a jihadist.” Conservative activist Laura Loomer blasted Trump’s friendliness as “normalizing communism” and warned it could hurt GOP messaging in the 2026 midterms.
Newsweek: “Johnny MAGA,” who has about 265,000 followers on X, called it an “incredible moment in the Oval as Trump extends the olive branch to Zohran.”
“MAGA Voice,” with around 1.3 million followers on X, said the president “has Zohran Mamdani shaking his head yes the whole time,” adding, “This was such a power move by President Trump.”
User “MJTruthUltra,” who has about 597,200 followers on X, said, “Trump and Mamdani exchange niceties and talk about their ‘mutual respect’ they have for one another I wasn’t expecting this… you?”
“DogRightGirl,” with about 346,900 followers on X, said, “Trump is in complete control and relaxed. Mamdani is out of his league and nervous.”
NBC News:
Following their meeting, Mamdani was asked by reporters if he stood by his decision to call Trump a “fascist” during his campaign… On Saturday, Mamdani told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that he does still believe the president is a fascist. “After President Trump said that, I said, ‘Yes,’” Mamdani said.
