By Anna CommanderShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberVice President JD Vance reacted to President Donald Trump's viral moment with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday in the Oval Office, calling it an "all-timer."
Why It Matters
The first Oval Office meeting between Trump and the incoming mayor drew attention far beyond typical city politics. The encounter, marked by viral moments, potentially illustrated shifting strategies for both major parties and elevated the national profile of a mayoral transition.
As both men have previously exchanged strong criticisms, their cooperative tone could influence partisan dynamics and urban policy discussions at a pivotal moment in U.S. politics.
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What To Know
Trump and Mamdani, who have frequently traded barbs, surprised many with their amicable tone. At issue were not only the city’s affordability crisis and rising living costs but also the months of incendiary rhetoric—Trump had repeatedly called Mamdani a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funds, while Mamdani has labeled Trump a “fascist.”
During the press availability, when pressed about Mamdani’s previous descriptions, Trump responded with humor: “I’ve been called much worse than a despot. So, it’s not that insulting.” Trump later continued to lighten the moment by patting Mamdani on the arm and telling him, “That’s OK, you can just say it—I don’t mind.”
Reacting to the moment on X, Vance said: "POTUS has a lot of good moments but this is an all-timer."
...This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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