New York [US], November 27 (ANI): New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani drew attention after revealing the “weirdest thing” he noticed during a recent visit to the White House while waiting to meet President Donald Trump.
In an interview on “The Adam Friedland Show,” Mamdani said he spotted a “UFC” coffee-table book among Trump’s reading materials and added that he had “no idea” the White House was preparing to host a mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn in June 2026.
Recalling the moments before the meeting, Mamdani said, “I sit down, waiting for the time of the meeting, and in front of me are all of these different coffee-table books.” He noted that “one of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flipping, flipping through that.” When asked if the book showed fighters in action, he clarified that the images were mock-ups depicting how the UFC’s octagon-style arena might look on the South Lawn.
The upcoming event, which Trump previously hinted at as part of America’s 250th anniversary commemorations, is scheduled for June 14, 2026, coinciding with the president’s 80th birthday.
Asked whether he planned to attend, Mamdani responded with a simple “No,” accompanied by a laugh.
In a separate interview with NBC, Mamdani reaffirmed his earlier criticisms of Trump, reiterating that he views the president as a “fascist” and a “despot,” despite their cordial exchange at the White House. He told “Meet the Press” that “everything that I’ve said in the past I continue to believe… I think it is important in our politics that we don’t shy away from where we have disagreements.”
His comments highlighted the persistent political divide between the two, even after their face-to-face meeting. This tension contrasted with a viral moment the pair shared during a media appearance at the White House. When a reporter pressed Mamdani on whether he still considered Trump a fascist, Trump interjected, saying, “That’s OK. You can just say it. That’s easier… It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”
The exchange, marked by unexpected ease between two ideological opponents, rapidly spread online and drew widespread attention.
Mamdani’s candid account of his White House visit, his continued criticism of Trump, and the light-hearted media moment have kept public focus on the unusual dynamic between the incoming New York mayor and the president. (ANI)
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