When President Donald Trump met with New York’s mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office, a Brooklyn resident named Adalberto Rodriguez said the encounter felt like a bridge.
A Brooklynman’s Political Awakening
Adalberto Rodriguez, 30, had never been interested in politics until Trump’s criminal trial in New York City last year. Rodriguez, who lives in Brooklyn, felt a connection between his own legal troubles and what he saw as “political lawfare” faced by Trump in the city. From that moment, he attended rallies in the Bronx, Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden, and he proudly voted for Trump in 2024.
In an interview, Rodriguez said, “I pray for these two guys specifically,” adding that it was “the first time in my life I’ve ever had such a level of excitement towards any politician.” He noted that people often think he is joking or trolling, but he insists the enthusiasm is genuine.
Mamdani’s Rise and the Oval Office Meeting
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor‑elect of New York City, was born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent and moved to New York at age seven. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Mamdani’s campaign focused on cost‑of‑living issues, and he highlighted a video shot after Trump’s victory in which he spoke with Bronx and Queens voters about why they supported the president.
During their November meeting, Mamdani mentioned the exit‑poll statistic that 9% of Trump voters backed him. He told the president that “one in ten, and I’m OK with that.” Mamdani said he wanted to win back voters who felt the Democratic Party was unresponsive, especially young men and immigrants, and that an economic agenda was what they wanted.
The Oval Office encounter surprised some observers, but Rodriguez was not. He said the meeting “turned heads” and that Trump’s warm reception was not unexpected in New York. Rodriguez added that he enjoyed the conversation about rate hikes by Consolidated Edison, the city’s utility company, and felt “a vibe that they will get along.”
Exit Polling and Trump’s Response
NBC News exit polling from the November vote showed 9% of 2024 Trump voters who went to the polls backed Mamdani. A “MAGA for Mamdani” T‑shirt went viral during the run‑up to Election Day. Trump himself was fascinated by the development and cited the statistic to reporters after his meeting with Mamdani, saying, “A lot of my voters actually voted for Mamdani. One in 10, and I’m OK with that.”
Mamdani and his allies see the overlap as a sign that Democrats can win back parts of the electorate that spurned the party for Trump in 2024, including young men and immigrants. Republicans who spoke to NBC News were surprised by the number of Trump‑Mamdani voters and the congeniality of the president’s meeting, but they did not feel that Mamdani unlocked a roadmap for reconfiguring the electorate.
Republican Senators’ Views
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R‑Iowa, said he thinks Trump “ought to be open to meet with anybody.” Sen. John Cornyn, R‑Texas, called the meeting a courtesy meeting and said he didn’t think Trump would become too close to Mamdani. Sen. John Hoeven, R‑N.D., told NBC News he was surprised the meeting was “collegial,” attributing it to Trump’s care for New York City. Hoeven also said he believed Trump‑Mamdani voters were spurred by concerns over affordability, noting that “in the case of President Trump, his policies really will help with affordability.”
Rodriguez’s Economic Concerns
Cost of living was front of mind for Rodriguez. He said that although he voted for Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary, he did not feel represented by political leaders other than Trump and Mamdani, who rose as anti‑establishment outsiders from Queens. He has yet to see his economic concerns addressed by Trump in his first year of the second term.
Rodriguez described Trump’s handling of the release of information surrounding Jeffrey Epstein as “absurd.” He acknowledged that “it takes time for the effects” of Trump’s agenda to kick in, but added that “it’s not really seeming like a lot is going on.” He noted that the recent disruption of food stamps during the government shutdown hit him directly, and he said he was still “hanging in there” and giving Trump a chance.
Mamdani’s Stance on Cost of Living and Immigration
Mamdani has said he is open to working with Trump on cost‑of‑living issues but expressed deep concerns about increased immigration enforcement in the city. In an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” after his meeting with Trump, Mamdani said he still believes the president is a “fascist” and a “despot.”
A former White House official, who spoke anonymously, said the two hit it off because they have “no reason to beef right now.” The official added that “there’s no friction point, but there will be eventually.”
Social Media and Public Reaction
Social media users ran wild online after the Oval Office meeting when Trump was seen wearing an overcoat with a large red scarf, prompting comparisons with Mamdani’s style. Mamdani told NBC News that they did not discuss style and kept the conversation focused on cost of living. He said he felt a newfound warmth and “increased openness” from his former opponents since the election.
Mamdani also spoke with Trump about Ron Barba, who wore a “MAGA for Mamdani” shirt at a Forest Hills rally in October. Mamdani said, “There are many New Yorkers for whom their question is less how you describe your politics, and it’s more of, ‘Does your politics include me in it?’”
Key Takeaways
- Adalberto Rodriguez, a Brooklyn resident, found unity in Trump and mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani after a meeting in the Oval Office.
- Exit polling showed 9% of Trump voters backed Mamdani, a statistic Trump cited to reporters.
- Senators and former officials noted the meeting was collegial, but also said it would not change the political landscape.
- Mamdani and Rodriguez both see cost of living and economic policy as the core issues that could bring Trump voters back to the Democratic fold.
The meeting between Trump and Mamdani highlighted a rare moment of cross‑party camaraderie in New York politics, and it sparked conversations about affordability, representation, and the future of the city’s political dynamics.
