Trump’s Bizarre Turnaround: "Mamdani Will Be a Great Mayor"

The meeting between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani yesterday (Friday) in the Oval Office was a stunning pivot from months of brutal political barbs, Trump had branded Mamdani a "communist lunatic" and "Jew hater," while Mamdani called Trump a "despot" in his victory speech. Instead of fireworks, it unfolded as a surprisingly warm, almost buddy-like encounter, sparking widespread shock, memes, and debates across media and social platforms.

Here are the standout moments that made headlines for their drama, irony, and potential policy ripple effects:

The Shocking Handshake and Arm Pat Heard 'Round the World:

As cameras rolled, the 79-year-old Trump, fresh off labeling Mamdani a "radical left lunatic," stood up from his desk, flashed a wide grin, and warmly patted the 34-year-old socialist on the arm while shaking hands. Mamdani, in a slim blue tie contrasting Trump's bold red one, smiled back without a hint of tension. This viral "buddy moment" clip exploded on X, racking up thousands of shares and fueling instant memes about "unlikely bromances."

Trump's Gushing Praise and "Rational Person" Pivot:

Defying GOP hardliners like Rep. Elise Stefanik (who'd called Mamdani a "jihadist"), Trump lavished compliments, declaring, "I met with a man who’s a very rational person... We agree on a lot more than I would have thought." He even joked he'd be "comfortable living in New York City with Mamdani as mayor - absolutely!" - a jaw-dropping endorsement from someone who'd spent the campaign trying to "kneecap" him. This line drew cheers from Mamdani supporters and groans from MAGA purists, with X posts hailing it as "Trump bending the knee" or decrying it as a betrayal.

Bold Gaza Call-Out in the Lion's Den:

In a gutsy move amid the friendly vibe, Mamdani directly addressed U.S. funding for Israel's actions in Gaza, stating, "I have spoken about the Israeli government committing genocide and our government funding it." Trump didn't flinch, instead, he nodded along and later echoed agreement that Americans want no more "forever wars," a rare bipartisan nod on foreign policy. CAIR praised Mamdani's courage on X, calling it a "positive moment," while it ignited pro-Israel backlash, amplifying the meeting's edge-of-your-seat tension.

Unexpected Policy Bro-Hug on NYC Woes:

The duo geeked out over shared gripes like skyrocketing rent, grocery prices, utilities, and crime, with Trump pledging to be "a big help" on affordability and safety, echoing his "New Yorker at heart" roots. Mamdani called it a "productive" chat rooted in "shared admiration and love for New York City," teasing future collabs that could sideline ideological wars. Pundits buzzed about this as a potential "unlikely alliance," with body language experts noting Mamdani's "giddy" eagerness to play nice, leaving viewers wondering if it's genuine pragmatism or political theater.

Trump Plays Wingman: "I'll Stick Up for You":

When a reporter grilled Mamdani on flying to D.C. instead of taking the train (a jab at his eco-policies), Trump jumped in like a protective pal: "I'll stick up for you... A flight's the fastest way!" This chivalrous deflection had journalists chuckling and social media erupting in "Trump simp mode" jokes, pointing to the meeting's fraternity vibe over feud.

Overall, the sit-down, billed as a potential clash, delivered pure political theater: a masterclass in post-election detente that eased fears of federal overreach in NYC (like National Guard threats) but left Republicans splintered and Democrats wary. Trump even posted giddy photos on Truth Social afterward, captioning them with more praise. As one X user put it, "Finally, the people matter more than partisanship!" capturing the electric hope (and skepticism) rippling out.

If tensions hold, it could foreshadow real cross-aisle wins; if not, January's inauguration might reignite the feud.