Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani are taking questions from reporters inside the Oval Office after a "great meeting" - watch live above
The US president congratulates the New York mayor-elect on his win earlier this month, as the pair say they look forward to working on affordability
The two New Yorkers have been extremely critical of each other in the past, but today Trump says he agrees "a lot more than I would have thought" with the self-described democratic socialist
"He's got views that are little out there," Trump says, but he's confident that the NYC mayor-elect will do a good job
'That's OK, you can say it' - Trump shrugs off Mamdani's 'fascist' comments
A reporter asks Mamdani why he flew to Washington DC instead of taking the train, which would be "greener".
Mamdani says he wants to make all modes of transit more affordable for New Yorkers.
Trump steps in, saying that Mamdani works hard and the drive is very long.
"I'll stick up for you," the president says.
Trump is asked whether he'd feel comfortable living in New York City "under a Mamdani administration."
"Yes, I would," Trump responds. "I really would, especially after the meeting. Absolutely."
The president says he agrees with Mamdani on a lot of things, even if they may have different views on some topics.
Trump then goes on to speak about US senator Bernie Sanders, also a democratic socialist, saying that he also agreed with him "on much more than people thought".
Trump is asked if he plans to follow through on his past threats to cut off New York financially.
During Mamdani's campaign, Trump had suggested he would pull federal funding from New York City if Mamdani were to win the election.
But now, Trump says of Mamdani, "I expect to be helping him not hurting him".
Mamdani and Trump appear to be agreeing on a lot of issues in this unexpectedly friendly meeting today.
Mamdani says he discussed federal immigration enforcement operations in New York and concerns from residents about how they are being conducted.
Trump says they discussed crime more than immigration.
"He doesn't want to see crime and I don't want to see crime," the president says. "And I have very little doubt we are not going to get along with on that issue."
'That's OK, you can say it' - Trump shrugs off Mamdani's 'fascist' comments
A reporter just asked Mamdani if he stands by his previous comments that President Trump is a "fascist".
Before he could answer, Trump smiled and tapped him on the arm, telling him, "You can just say yes" in response to the question because "it's easier".
Mamdani responded tepidly, "Okay, yes."
Mamdani is asked his thoughts about the House overwhelmingly voting earlier today to denounce the "horrors of socialism".
The mayor-elect, a self-described Democratic socialist, answers that he is not concerned about House resolutions and his focus is on the work ahead.
"I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable," Mamdani says.
Trump is asked about his plans to sue the BBC for up to $5bn and whether he'll be speaking to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The president says he gets along really well with Starmer. "I like him, he's a fine person," he says, before adding that UK has energy and immigration issues.
"He's a good man," he adds.
Asked if he spoke to him this week, Trump says he hasn't.
Image source, Getty ImagesMamdani is asked whether he took any inspiration from Trump's populist campaign promises to run his own campaign.
The mayor-elect says that he spoke to many New Yorkers who voted for Trump for affordability reasons and is looking to address those concerns.
He says he's looking forward to working with the president on that issue specifically.
Trump is asked a question about Lebanon and the Middle East peace process. The president says Hezbollah "has been a problem in Lebanon". Next, he says that's something he and Mamdani agree on.
"We want to see peace in the Middle East," he says. Mamdani adds that when he spoke to voters who backed Trump in the 2024 election, one thing they mentioned was "an end to forever wars... and they wanted to address the cost of living crisis".
"And I appreciated the chance to discuss both of those two things," he says.
Mamdani is asked if he stands by his recent statements calling Trump a "despot" who "betrayed the country" and promotes a "fascist agenda".
Mamdani says that his discussion with Trump today focused not on their political disagreements, but on their "shared purpose" of serving New Yorkers.
Trump adds: "I've been called much worse than a despot. So it's not that insulting".
Image source, Getty ImagesReporters are now asking questions. It's put to Mamdani that Trump has called him a "communist" and the president is asked if he'd do anything to stop the mayor-elect from arresting Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York.
"He's got views that are little out there," Trump says, adding that he's going to change, and that even his own views have changed. "We all change."
He says the pair have had discussions, and he's confident that they will do a good job. "He'll surprise some conservative people."
Trump says Mamdani will be a "great mayor" of New York City.
Mamdani then speaks, saying he appreciated meeting with the president and that they have a "shared love" for the city.
He says is looking forward to working with him to deliver on affordability.
Trump congratulates Mamdani on election victory at first meeting
Trump says they talked about housing, food, and a range of other topics around affordability.
"Anything I do is going to be good for New York," Trump says.
Image source, Getty ImagesTrump has just begun speaking to the press from inside the Oval Office, with Mamdani at his side.
The president says "we've just had a great meeting", adding that "we love this city of ours".
He also congratulates Mamdani on his win.
Reporters have been brought into the Oval Office, where Donald Trump is seated at his desk, with Zohran Mamdani standing beside him.
Stay with us as we'll bring you updates - you can also watch live at the top of this page.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're waiting to learn more about Mamdani's meeting with Trump but one thing he's made clear before heading to the White House was that he remains focused on his aim of making New York more affordable despite his “many disagreements” with the US president.
In a raucous election day victory speech, the New York mayor-elect had four words for the watching US president: “Turn the volume up."
Mamdani then referenced Trump’s own relationship with the city he is now set to run, saying: “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
The next day, Mamdani pledged to stand up to pressure from Trump’s administration, saying he’d tackle the "twin crises" of "an authoritarian administration and an affordability crisis".
The incoming New York mayor also promised he would not mince his words around the president, but said he would leave a “door open” for conversations to discuss his priorities.
“I’m not concerned about this meeting,” he said ahead of their meeting. “I view this meeting as an opportunity to make my case.”
As we've reported in the previous post, New York city mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has arrived at the White House for his meeting with President Trump.
It's still unclear whether there will be any press access to the meeting or whether either Mamdani or Trump will speak afterwards.
We'll bring you updates as soon as we have them - stay with us.
Mamdani has arrived for his meeting with President Trump, the White House has confirmed to the BBC.
"Too late guys! Y’all are too slow!" the White House's director of communications says on X.
Accompanying Steven Cheung's post is a picture taken from a window inside the White House showing a section of the media grouped on the White House grounds.
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House
Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr / BBCA view from in front of the White House
There are dozens of reporters outside waiting for Mamdani, as well as a small handful of staffers watching from the Eisenhower Executive Building next door.
We still have not received word of whether the meeting will be open to press.
A few minutes ago, there was a moment of panic for many journalists as someone said that he was arriving. Instead, it was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
It is unclear if he is inside or not.
Watch: What Trump and Mamdani have said about each other
Trump and Mamdani have had plenty to say about each other over the past few months.
Trump on Mamdani
Mamdani on Trump