The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Trump Bends the Knee in White House... to Zohran?!"

Date: November 22, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Guests: Donald Trump, Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani
Episode Theme: An in-depth (and at times surreal) look at Donald Trump’s surprisingly conciliatory Oval Office meeting with New York City's socialist Mayor-elect, Zoran Mamdani—including unprecedented mutual praise, discussion of policy overlap, and what this means for both parties and American political discourse.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the extraordinary Oval Office meeting between former President Donald Trump and Zoran Mamdani, New York City’s incoming democratic socialist mayor—a meeting that turned many political expectations upside down. Far from hostile, the two leaders exchanged praise and found surprising common ground on several key issues like cost of living, housing, crime reduction, and U.S. military spending. The episode walks through press conference highlights, analyzes the evolving tone between Trump and Mamdani, and considers the ramifications for Democrats and the GOP.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Meeting That Shocked America

• [02:30] Recap Begins: Host lays out the surprising tone of the Oval Office meeting, noting Trump’s effusive words for Mamdani, effectively “bending the knee” and expressing a willingness to work together despite ideological differences.

2. Trump’s Uncharacteristic Praise for Mamdani

• [03:15] Trump highlights overlap: “You said a lot of my voters actually voted for him, and I’m okay with that. I’ll do that. I’ll sign it. Give it to me. I’ll sign it in a minute.”
• [05:51] More Trump: “I wanted to congratulate the mayor. He really ran an incredible race... I just want to congratulate, I think you’re going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor.”

Memorable Quote:

Donald Trump:
“There’s no difference in party, there’s no difference in anything. We’re going to be helping him to make everybody’s dream come true—having a strong and very safe New York.” (05:51)

3. Policy Convergences: Cost of Living, Housing, and Crime

• [04:43] Mamdani shares insights from NYC voters—many Trump supporters—who cared about ending “forever wars” and addressing economic hardship.
• [07:07] Mamdani: “I appreciated the meeting with the president... focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers.”
• [08:50] Trump raises utility rates: Notes fuel prices have come down, but urges Con Edison to lower rates for New Yorkers.

4. Sparring on Labels & Past Criticism

• [03:07] Mamdani confronted about labeling Trump a “fascist”; Trump nonchalantly replies:

“That’s okay. You could just say okay. … I don’t mind.”

• [05:25] On being called a “despot”:

“And I’ve been called much worse than a despot. So it’s not, it’s not that insulting. Maybe. I think he’ll change his mind after we get to working together.” (05:25)

5. The Press Conference: Tough Questions & Candid Answers

• [09:20] Trump is asked about previously calling Mamdani a communist and on action toward Israel’s Netanyahu; Trump shrugs off the “communist” label, says “we all change.”
• [11:47] Trump’s Ukraine policy revealed: suggests pulling US support if Zelensky “doesn’t accept the deal.”

“At some point, he’s going to have to accept something... he hasn’t accepted.” (12:15)

6. Middle East, Human Rights, & US Foreign Policy

• [13:38] Mamdani distinguishes between the Israeli government’s actions and US funding; presses for funds to benefit struggling New Yorkers rather than overseas wars.
• [14:27] Mamdani: “I appreciate all efforts towards peace... I also believe that we have to follow through on the international human rights.”

7. Trump on Living in Socialist New York

• [15:11] Asked if he’d live in NYC under Mamdani:

“Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting. Absolutely. ... I want him to do a great job, and we’ll help him do a great job.” (15:11)

Memorable Quote:

Donald Trump:
“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought.” (15:11)

8. Political Fallout & GOP Shock

• [16:49] Reporter points out how Trump’s praise for Mamdani may undermine GOP strategy to paint Democrats as radical by association.
• Clips replay Trump’s previous attacks on Mamdani, including calling him a “little communist” and falsely suggesting he might be in the country illegally.

9. Re-emphasis on Shared Goals

• [18:58] Trump on policy agreements:

“He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down. All things that I agree with. ... We may disagree how we get there... but I heard him say it today. And I think that’s a very positive step.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:08] Trump tells Mamdani: “That’s okay. You could just say okay. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”
• [05:25] Trump: “And I’ve been called much worse than a despot. So it’s not that insulting.”
• [08:50] Trump on utility prices: “We have to get Con Edison to start lowering the rates.”
• [09:35] Trump (on “communist” smear): “He’s got views a little out there, but who knows? ... We all change.”
• [12:15] Trump on Ukraine: “Well, at some point, he’s going to have to accept something.”
• [13:48] Mamdani on Gaza and NYC: “...in the ninth consecutive year of more than 100,000 school children being homeless in our city...”
• [15:11] Trump: “Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting. Absolutely.”
• [18:58] Trump surprised by common ground: “He wants to see no crime... I want to see the same thing.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:30–05:15]: Trump and Mamdani’s press conference; mutual compliments, reframing of 'fascist' and 'despot' labels.
• [07:07]: Focus on cost of living, rent, and groceries.
• [08:50–09:11]: Trump and Mamdani discuss utility costs and fuel prices.
• [11:47–12:43]: Trump’s controversial statements on Ukraine and Zelensky.
• [13:46–14:27]: Middle East policy, Gaza, and US funding of foreign conflicts.
• [15:07–15:11]: Trump expresses comfort under Mamdani’s mayoralty in NYC.
• [16:49–18:58]: Political implications for GOP; flashbacks to Trump’s prior attacks.
• [18:58–20:30]: Consensus on fighting crime, building housing, and practical governance.

Tone & Takeaways

The episode remains true to the Meiselas brothers’ signature style: sharp banter, cutting political analysis, and unapologetic advocacy for democracy—while also expressing genuine astonishment at the sheer bizarreness of Trump’s warmth toward Mamdani. The tone is incredulous but thorough, highlighting both the policy implications and the spectacle of former rivals repeatedly finding common ground.

Key Takeaway:
The meeting between Trump and Mamdani, laden with public praise and unexpected agreements, may upend traditional narratives about partisanship, challenge the GOP’s preferred attack lines, and force a re-examination of cross-party alliances on core issues facing American cities.

For detailed analysis, reactions, and further clips, tune in to the full video episode on the MeidasTouch Network’s YouTube Channel.