President Donald Trump said Saturday he is pressing pause on deploying the National Guard to New York City, arguing other American cities “need it more” at the moment. The president’s comments came one day after he hosted Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who will become New York City’s next mayor, at the White House.

Trump had previously listed New York among the Democrat-run cities where he was prepared to deploy the National Guard, saying in August he would “help” fight crime in the city after completing operations in Chicago, Mediaite reported.

MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner asked Trump if he still planned to send the Guard to New York while he took questions before departing for Joint Base Andrews.

“If they need it. Right now, other places need it more, but if they need it,” Trump said. “We had a very good meeting yesterday. We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it.”

Trump made a similar comment during his Oval Office meeting with Mamdani on Friday and said he would feel “very comfortable” living in New York City, especially after speaking with the incoming mayor.

The tone of the meeting was warmer than many expected, given Trump had previously referred to Mamdani as “my little communist” and mocked his socialist ideas, saying they have never worked.

Mamdani had called Trump a “fascist” in the past, a comment the president laughed off when speaking to reporters on Friday. The pair appeared unusually friendly during the summit, and Trump later said it was a “great honor” to host Mamdani.

Charlotte, N.C., is the most recent city the Trump administration has targeted for federal attention, with ICE, Border Patrol, and National Guard units deployed this week to crack down on illegal immigrants and crime.

Trump, who had previously labeled Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job,” said he was surprised by the mayor-elect after the meeting, The Associated Press reported.

“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually,” Trump said as Mamdani stood beside him.

The meeting offered political opportunity for both men.

For Mamdani, it was a chance to directly engage with the most powerful figure in American politics and elevate his profile beyond New York.

For Trump, it was a major platform to discuss affordability at a time when he is under growing pressure to show progress on cost-of-living issues.

Until now, the two men built their bases by attacking one another, and it is unclear how supporters on either side will react to their calm exchange.

“We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” Trump said.

“What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,” Mamdani said.

“Some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have,” Trump said about Mamdani’s approach to inflation. Trump even stepped in to protect Mamdani when reporters pressed the mayor-elect on his past comments.

When asked whether Mamdani stood by calling the president a fascist, Trump interjected before he could answer.

“That’s OK. You can just say yes. OK?” Trump said. “It’s easier. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”

When a reporter questioned why Mamdani flew to Washington instead of taking transportation with a smaller carbon footprint, Trump said, “I’ll stick up for you.”

Mamdani said he sought the meeting to address affordability concerns in New York City.

Trump has previously called him a “communist” and threatened to cut federal funding, but on Friday he pulled back from those remarks.