ByAntonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes Staff.
President Donald Trump praised New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and said he didn’t mind if Mamdani considered him a fascist during a friendly White House meeting Friday, weeks after the two traded barbs ahead of New York City’s mayoral election.
During a meeting in the Oval Office Friday, Mamdani was asked by a reporter if he stood by a previous comment that Trump was a fascist; when Mamdani began responding, Trump interrupted, smiling, and said, “That’s okay, you can just say yes. It’s easier.”
Mamdani gestured to the reporter, smiling and saying “yes” before Trump said, “It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind,” patting the mayor-elect’s arm.
