In a remarkable political encounter that defied expectations, former President Donald Trump shared an unexpectedly cordial meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday, November 21, 2025. The interaction took a surprising turn when Trump gave Mamdani permission to call him a fascist, stunning observers across social media platforms.
An Unexpected Exchange
The moment that captured national attention occurred when reporters pressed Mamdani about his previous characterization of Trump as promoting a "fascist agenda." Rather than disavowing his earlier statements, the democratic socialist mayor-elect chose to emphasize the positive nature of their discussion and their "shared purpose" of serving New York residents.
Trump appeared genuinely amused by the line of questioning, joking that "I've been called much worse than a despot" when a New York Post reporter referenced Mamdani's previous description of him as a "despot who has betrayed the country." The typically sensitive former president displayed uncharacteristic levity about the criticism.
The Viral Moment
When another journalist directly asked Mamdani if he still considered Trump a fascist, the interaction took its most unexpected turn. As Mamdani began formulating what appeared to be a diplomatic response, Trump interrupted with surprising permission.
"That's OK, you can just say yes," Trump told the mayor-elect, adding "It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind" before patting Mamdani's arm in a gesture that many described as paternal. Mamdani responded with a smile and a simple "OK," creating the viral moment that would dominate political discourse throughout the weekend.
Social Media Reactions
The unexpected cordiality between the two political figures generated widespread astonishment across social media platforms, particularly given Trump's history of attacking socialism, Muslim communities, and Mamdani personally. Many observers noted the stark contrast between Trump's previous threats to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani became mayor and the friendly demeanor he displayed during their actual meeting.
Political commentator John DiLillo expressed his surprise, tweeting: "I have to admit, I was saying that trump would be charmed by zohran but I really could not have anticipated him patting him on the arm and going 'it's okay sweetie, you can call me a fascist if you want to'"
Other notable reactions included:
- Josh Marshall's observation that "They're agreeing on the big questions after only one meeting!"
- Brad Lander's comment that "Pretty sure Zohran just charmed Donald Trump into agreeing that he's a fascist."
- Andrew Desiderio's note that Trump called Mamdani "a very rational person" despite Republican criticism
The meeting represented a significant departure from Trump's typical approach to political opponents, with many commentators noting his apparent admiration for the mayor-elect. As the encounter concluded, it was clear that this unexpected political détente had created one of the most memorable moments of the political season.
