Mamdani says he still thinks Trump is a fascist after their 'productive' White House meeting

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Sunday reaffirmed his previous description of President Donald Trump as a “fascist” and “despot,” despite their "productive" meeting at the White House days earlier. 

In an interview that aired Sunday on Meet the Press, Mamdani said, "Everything that I’ve said in the past, I continue to believe."

Mamdani stressed that while he and Trump found common ground on some issues such as affordability in New York City, he was not going to back away from his previous criticism of the president. 

In the Bronx on Sunday, Mamdani said the meeting with Trump was "productive."

During the Oval Office meeting on November 21, the two discussed a wide range of issues, including housing costs, groceries, childcare, and utilities for New Yorkers. 

At one point, when a reporter asked Mamdani in the Oval Office if he still believed Trump was a fascist, Trump interrupted. 

“That’s OK … you can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it,” he told Mamdani, patting him on the arm.