Donald Trump says ‘I don’t mind if you call me a fascist’ in meeting with Mamdani

"That's OK. You can just say it."

But while many were expected a verbal brawl between the two, it was actually quite the opposite.

In the past Trump had labelled Mamdani a '100% communist lunatic', while Mamdani had labelled Trump a 'despot' and pledged to be his 'worst nightmare'.

Even just a few weeks ago when Mamdani was voted in as the Mayor of New York, Trump posted the cryptic message: "AND SO IT BEGINS!”

However, speaking in the Oval Office, the pair got on, at least for now.

In his opening remarks, Trump said: "We have one thing in common – we want this city of ours that we love to do incredibly well.

"The better he does, the happier I am.”

Trump's strategic flattery went even further just moments later when he said: "I always feel very, very comfortable being in New York. And I think much more so after the meeting.

“I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people, actually.”

When Trump was asked whether he agrees with comments made that Mamdani is a 'jihadist', Trump said he doesn't.

Instead, Trump said: “I met with a man who’s a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”

However one of the biggest moments of their meeting was when Mamdani was asked by Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich if he still considers Trump to be a fascist.

As Mamdani began to answer, Trump interrupted saying: "That's OK. You can just say it. It's easier. It's easier than explaining it."

Mamdani then said a simple: "Yes."