When answering a question from a reporter about his past criticisms of
Donald Trump, including calling him a “despot”, Mamdani said that his meeting today “focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers”.
Trump, for his part, made a joke in response: “I’ve been called much worse than a despot. It’s not that insulting.” He added that Mamdani might “change his mind after we get to working together”.
When Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich pressed Mamdani further about whether he considers Trump to be a “fascist”, the president offered the mayor-elect an unusual life raft. “That’s OK,” Trump said while tapping Mamdani’s arm. “You can just say it, it’s easier than explaining it.”