US President Donald Trump met New York City's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House in what was billed as the political showdown of the year - but instead became a praise fest. In his election victory speech, the self-described Democratic socialist mayor called Trump a despot. And before Friday's meeting, the president's spokeswoman had billed Mamdani's visit as a communist coming to the White House. But standing side-by-side in the Oval Office, the two men struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone. Over and over, both men emphasized their shared interest in addressing New York City's affordability crisis. They smiled often, and Trump even appeared amused as reporters asked him about the political attacks Mamdani had fired his way. The tone of the meeting appeared to strike political observers off-guard, but offered a signal that both men understand that tackling the affordability crisis is critical to their political success. Whether the truce will last once Mamdani takes office on 1 January remains to be seen. Until then, I'll be cheering for him, Trump said.

During their discussion, Trump's praise for Mamdani was evident. Facing the media after the private meeting, Mamdani stood at Trump's side, their body language relaxed. Trump refrained from attacking Mamdani, stating he was hopeful Mamdani would be a really great mayor. The encounter was marked by a focus on mutual concerns surrounding affordability in New York City, with both leaders suggesting they were aligned on how to tackle rising costs.

The cordial relationship displayed during the meeting may create complications for Republicans, who are looking to leverage Mamdani's past criticisms of Trump as a campaign strategy ahead of the 2026 midterms. The meeting indicates a complex landscape for upcoming elections as both local and national political dynamics evolve around affordability and community concerns.