Trump and Mamdani just concluded their private meeting at the White House. Trump tells reporters he congratulated Mamdani on his "incredible" election victory.
He says they spoke about "getting housing built" in NYC, among other issues.
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Trump is very symphatetic toward Mamdani and says he will "be helping to make everyone's dream come true" in NYC.
Asked why he has insisted on calling Mamdani a communist, Trump says "he's got views that are a little out there."
Trump's being remarkably cordial with Mamdani. Asked about Mamdani's accusation that he's a "despot," he says: "I've been called much worse than a despot, so it's not that insulting."
"A lot of my voters actually voted for him and I'm okay with that," he also says.
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Trump takes off the table -- at least for now -- any cuts to federal funding for NYC. "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him, a big help because I want New York City to be great," he says.
Trump even says he'd be "very, very comfortable" living in NYC under Mayor Mamdani.
When Trump is in the room with someone really popular he is always deferential and nice.
