Zohran Mamdani Reveals 'Weirdest' Thing He Saw ...

By Adeola Adeosun and Gabe WhisnantShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani revealed the "weirdest" thing he observed during his visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump in an appearance on The Adam Friedland Show on Monday.

When Friedland asked, "What was the weirdest thing he [Trump] showed you?" Mamdani said on the web-based talk show, "I sit down, waiting for the time of the meeting, and in front of me are all of these different coffee table books. And one of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flippin', flippin' through that."

Pressed on whether he would go to the White House UFC event scheduled for June 2026, Mamdani simply said, “No,” drawing a laugh from Friedland and himself.

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Why It Matters

The lighthearted comments stand in stark contrast to the contentious relationship between the two politicians during the mayoral campaign. Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, then faced Cuomo again in the general election after he launched an independent bid alongside Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani won the November 4 election with a clear majority.

Trump repeatedly criticized Mamdani throughout the race, calling him a "communist lunatic" while questioning his fitness for office. The president also threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani won.

However, Trump appeared to completely reverse course after meeting Mamdani at the White House last week, showering the mayor-elect with glowing praise while fully endorsing him. Trump said he would feel comfortable living in Mamdani's New York.

What To Know

During the interview, Friedland questioned how Mamdani maintained composure during the White House press conference, noting observers were surprised by his calm demeanor. When asked how he kept a straight face, Mamdani said he stayed focused by concentrating on his priorities for the city.

"Honestly, I was just thinking about New York City," Mamdani told Friedland.

The interview then turned to unusual elements of the White House visit. When Friedland asked about the strangest thing Mamdani encountered, the mayor-elect described his pre-meeting experience.

"I sit down waiting for the time of the meeting, and in front of me are, like, all these different coffee table books, and one of them is UFC at the White House," Mamdani said. "I had no idea, but I was just flippin', flipping through that."

Mamdani has provided additional details about his White House visit in other media appearances. During an NBC News Meet the Press interview with host Kristen Welker, he addressed the moment when reporters asked if he still considers Trump a fascist. Trump interjected that he didn't mind the characterization because it was "easier than explaining" alternative views.

Mamdani confirmed he maintains that position but emphasized the productive nature of their discussion. He said their conversation focused on affordability issues including housing costs, childcare expenses, grocery prices, utility bills, themes central to his campaign.

The mayor-elect identified specific obstacles to addressing these concerns, citing zoning regulations, approval processes, construction costs. He particularly highlighted childcare expenses, noting they represent the second-largest cost for families at $22,500 annually per child.

Mamdani explained his strategy of building a working relationship with the federal government by emphasizing shared priorities. He referenced conversations with New York voters who supported Trump, using their concerns to find common ground with the president.

The meeting extended beyond the Oval Office to include time in the Cabinet Room, where Mamdani said they viewed historical presidential portraits, including one of former president Franklin D. Roosevelt. He drew parallels between his vision for New York and the legendary partnership between Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and FDR during the New Deal era.

"You can't tell the story of LaGuardia without telling the story of FDR and the story of a relationship with the federal government that finally delivered at the scale of the crisis it was facing," Zohran said.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump on Truth Social wrote: "It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!"

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani wrote on X: "Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today—it’s time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics."