us2 min(s) read
Zohran Mamdani reveals 'weirdest' thing he spotted during Trump White House visit
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani recently shared a surprising detail from his visit to the White House while waiting to meet President Donald Trump. During an appearance on The Adam Friedland Show, Mamdani revealed what he described as the "weirdest thing" he spotted while in the waiting area.
Mamdani explained that as he waited for his meeting, he found himself surrounded by a variety of coffee-table books. Among them was one featuring the UFC, which caught his attention. "One of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flipping, flipping through that."
This book was part of the materials in the room, which Mamdani had not expected to see. He later clarified that the book didn’t depict actual fights but showed mock-ups of how the UFC's arena might look on the White House South Lawn.
UFC event on the White House lawn
The book turned out to be a preview of a special mixed martial arts event planned for June 2026. The event, hinted at earlier by President Trump, is intended to coincide with America's 250th anniversary and the president's 80th birthday. When asked if he planned to attend, Mamdani laughed and simply said, "No."
Despite the lighthearted nature of the moment, Mamdani’s visit to the White House also included more serious discussions. In a separate conversation with NBC, he reiterated his criticism of Trump, calling him a "fascist" and a "despot," a view he has held even after their recent encounter.
A unique meeting
The meeting between the two, marked by this unexpected moment, reflected the ongoing political tension between Mamdani and Trump. The difference in their views was highlighted when a reporter asked Mamdani whether he still considered Trump a fascist. The president stepped in, saying, "That's OK. You can just say it. That's easier... It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind."
Despite their disagreements, this moment of ease between the two men caught the attention of the public. The mix of Mamdani’s straightforward criticism of Trump and their more relaxed interaction created a unique media moment, adding to the public intrigue surrounding the new mayor-elect and his relationship with the outgoing president.