Mamdani Stands by Trump Criticism      11/24 06:11

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani didn't back down 
in an interview that aired Sunday from past criticism that President Donald 
Trump acted like a despot and a fascist after a surprisingly friendly White 
House meeting between the two men.

   The newly elected democratic socialist and the Republican president have 
fiercely criticized each other in the past. Trump called Mamdani a "100% 
Communist Lunatic" in a social media post following the incoming mayor's 
election victory, and Mamdani has said Trump was attacking democracy. Yet the 
two political foils emerged smiling after the meeting Friday and spoke of 
shared goals.

   Pressed about his past criticism during a "Meet the Press" interview 
conducted Saturday, Mamdani said his views remained unchanged.

   "Everything that I've said in the past, I continue to believe," Mamdani 
said. "And that's the thing that I think is important in our politics, is that 
we don't shy away from where we have disagreements, but we understand what it 
is that brings us to that table, because I'm not coming into the Oval Office to 
make a point or make a stand. I'm coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers."

   Trump had brushed aside Mamdani's criticisms Friday and even jumped in on 
his defense several times. When a reporter asked if Mamdani stood by his 
comments that Trump is a fascist, Trump interjected before Mamdani could fully 
answer the question.

   "That's OK. You can just say yes. OK?" Trump said. "It's easier. It's easier 
than explaining it. I don't mind."

   Asked about the fascist criticism on "Meet the Press," Mamdani said, "That's 
something that I've said in the past. I say it today. "

   Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said on CNN's 
"State of the Union" talk show that Trump wants to work with everybody who 
cares about the future of the American people.

   "We're at times disagreeing about policies," Hassett said, "but I think that 
the objective of making life better for everybody is something that a lot of 
people share on the Democratic and Republican side."

   Though far apart politically, the White House meeting offered potential 
political benefits for both men. The incoming mayor was able to meet one-on-one 
with the president, and Trump got to to talk about affordability, an issue that 
is increasingly important to voters.