Why Donald Trump Seems Taken With Zohran Mamdani
In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated meeting between New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump unfolded with an unexpected display of civility and mutual respect. Initially framed as a potential clash between a young socialist and an established political figure, the encounter instead revealed a more nuanced relationship. After a closed-door discussion, the two leaders faced the press, where Trump, who had previously mocked Mamdani’s intelligence and threatened to defund the city, praised him as a competent leader. “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump remarked, a statement that seemed to contradict his earlier vitriol on social media, where he had labeled Mamdani as “my little communist mayor.” This apparent reconciliation raises questions about the nature of their political rapport and the potential implications for New York City under Mamdani’s leadership.
Throughout the press conference, moments of levity punctuated the proceedings, suggesting a level of camaraderie not typically seen in political confrontations. Trump’s light-hearted interjections and Mamdani’s composed demeanor transformed what could have been a contentious dialogue into a surprisingly amicable exchange. The two men, despite their ideological differences, share a populist ethos and a disdain for the political establishment, which may have contributed to their ability to find common ground. Mamdani, a well-educated and articulate figure from a privileged background, has already begun to assemble a team of experienced advisors, indicating his readiness to navigate the complexities of New York’s political landscape.
While the meeting may have offered Mamdani a temporary reprieve from Trump’s previous threats, such as deploying the National Guard to New York, it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Trump’s political maneuvers. Historical precedents, such as the dealings between Trump and Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, illustrate that moments of apparent agreement can quickly devolve into adversarial relationships. As Mamdani embarks on his mayoral journey, he would do well to maintain a cautious approach, recognizing that while he may have charmed a formidable opponent today, the political landscape remains fraught with potential challenges. Ultimately, the meeting in the Oval Office may signify a new chapter in New York politics, one where Mamdani’s leadership will be scrutinized not only by his constituents but also by the unpredictable whims of the Trump administration.
Today’s White House meeting between New York’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, and President Donald Trump suggests that maybe, just maybe, the U.S. government won’t go to war with its largest city. The event was much anticipated as blood sport, a showdown between a young communist and an old despot, to use their favored insults for each other.
Instead, the two men put on such a show of good manners that at times I had to laugh out loud at the stagecraft. After a closed-door meeting, Trump and Mamdani summoned the press, and there was Uncle Donnie seated behind his desk in the Oval Office, beaming as his favorite nephew, Zohran, stood by his right shoulder looking dutiful.
“We agree on a lot more than I would have thought,” Trump said, peering at Mamdani. “I feel very confident that he can do a very good job.”
He is? Trump, after all, had previously
posted on Truth Social
that Mamdani “looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart.” He had also threatened to defund the city if Mamdani became mayor. Mamdani, for his part,
said of the president
on Election Night earlier this month: “If there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power.”
[
Tom Nichols: The president is losing control of himself
]
No hint of such insults—or of attempted “dismantling”—was heard today. When a reporter asked Mamdani whether he considers the president a fascist, the mayor-elect momentarily fumbled. “I’ve spoken about—”
“That’s okay,” Trump interjected. “You could just say ‘yes.’ It’s easier—it’s easier than explaining it.” He smiled indulgently and patted Mamdani on the arm. “I don’t mind.”
This was one of several moments in the press conference that felt more like a
Saturday Night Live
skit than a newscast. But perhaps all this was not as improbable as it looked and sounded. Trump bellows and insults and demeans, but so much of that is an act, guff and bullying. His earlier talk of Mamdani as “my little communist mayor” even carried an odd hint of affection, and there was evident admiration in the way in which he spoke of Mamdani’s unlikely mayoral victory. These men are, in their very different ways, populists, Queens men, and sometimes statists; they share a disdain for political establishments. And Trump, the developer, is aware of the extremely high cost of New York real estate, a focus of Mamdani’s campaign.
Trump always and ever loves winners, whether a
Saudi crown prince
, a billionaire businessman, or, apparently, a democratic-socialist mayor fresh off an underdog win. He also admires those who
dress well
and carry themselves with confidence. Mamdani meets these requirements. He is a well-educated, well-spoken son of privilege; his parents are among the cinematic and academic elite. Several wealthy New Yorkers already talk with him entre nous. Kathryn Wylde, the long-serving president of the Partnership for New York City, a sort of oligarch’s chamber of commerce, offered advice during his campaign and
recently said
that she had voted for Mamdani.
[
Michael Powell: Zohran Mamdani is about to confront reality
]
Mamdani can at times drop his smile and sound confrontational, as he did in his Election Night speech, slamming his vanquished opponent, Andrew Cuomo, and challenging Trump directly. But his more impressive ability as a pol was on display in the weeks that followed, as he slipped into that smile of his once more and quietly went about appointing some wise old hands as mayoral aides.
This afternoon, Mamdani appeared to charm a dangerous foe and, in so doing, perhaps purchased himself a respite from Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to New York. But Mamdani should restrain his postgame talk.
In 2017, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, then the Senate and House minority leaders, talked, joked, and negotiated hard with Trump, and they
emerged with a budget deal
so beneficial for Democrats that Republican legislators were startled and wounded. Many Democrats bragged that they’d outmaneuvered Trump, which turned out to be deeply unwise; he remains adversaries with Schumer and Pelosi to this day, of course. Trump prides himself on being a dealmaker and is acutely sensitive to any claim that he has been taken.
In the months to come, Trump could still decide to send the National Guard marching down Broadway, or direct masked Border Patrol agents to raid Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, or try to strip federal funding for housing and bridges. The best way to avoid these outcomes is for Mamdani to accept his victory quietly.
And perhaps he knows that. Mamdani appears to be preternaturally possessed. As the half-hour press conference at the White House wound down, I watched for a presidential slap, or a slip of Mamdani’s genial mask. That never came; in fact, Trump went on to say that he would feel comfortable living in Mamdani’s New York.
“I’ll be cheering for him,” Trump concluded. He shook Mamdani’s hand and, with his other hand, gave him a benevolent pat. I doubt that Mamdani needs any lessons in getting what he wants.
