Trump Folds the Second Mamdani Walks In–Plus a Sam & Sarah Q&A!
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Analysis of Trump and Mamdani's Surprisingly Cordial Oval Office Summit
Understand why Donald Trump showered praise on Zohran Mamdani, and analyze the strategic trade-offs Mamdani made in seeking pragmatic favor with the former President.
Short Summary
- Trump expressed confidence that Mamdani would succeed as Mayor of NYC, creating an unexpected photo opportunity.
- Speakers debated whether Mamdani’s display of political pragmatism validated Trump’s image or simply served necessary short-term governance goals.
- The interaction illustrates how political charm can undermine strong prior accusations, risking the normalization of extremism for personal political gain.
Sam Stein and Sarah Longwell dissect the shocking cordiality between Trump and Mamdani during their Oval Office visit. They weigh mayoral strategy against the broader risks associated with providing cover for a figure many view as an existential threat to democracy.
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Top Comments (10)
Not lost on me how in literally 99.9% of photos Mamdani takes he has a toothy ear to ear smile on, but he doesn’t crack a single actual grin in any of the pics or footage with Trump . Respect .
Mamdami didn’t smile like he normally does. He didn’t back down on the fascist and despot thing. He didn’t cave. He just showed how shallow Trump is.
I think Mamdani humiliated the republican party with this meeting, took the wind out of their sails by getting trump to embrace the most left leaning elected official in the country. Got trump off the back of new york and possibly hurt trumps image with some in his base. Leftists are loving this, we recognize it for the brilliant political move it was.
Come on Sarah, he's shown mastery of turmp. Nothing but a win
Mamdani didn’t give an inch. He answered the fascist question with a “yes, yeah”
If you watched Mamdani and Trump meet, you saw that Mamdani was himself. he smiles. He’s very charming. It is natural to like him. That is why he is so successful as a politician. He and Donald Trump agreed that things need to be made more affordable Trump sees Mamdani as someone who could help him make things more affordable in New York and Trump feels that then he’ll get credit for it. Trump has always been completely transactional. Please note that Mamdani brought no gold bars, and was never reduced to slobbering flattery. He remained true to himself and that was enough to have Trump react favorably.
I live in NYC. I thought Mamdani handled the meeting with Trump stupendously. I voted for Mamdani, but despite liking him, was worried Trump would come after us and that Mamdani wouldn't prioritize safety. After this meeting, I know he plans on safety being one of his priorities, and that he's going to try to protect us from Trump. What a talent. Sarah, Trump is going downhill and his party is starting to crack, and this meeting won't stop that. Mamdani didn't smile at Trump. He stayed on point. He sacrificed nothing.
Mamdani will be the mayor of NYC. He has been threatened with deportation, with removal of funds, with sending in militarized persons. Mamdani did the smart thing, charm the beast. He asked for the meeting to try to make things better so he can focus on his job come Jan 1st and beyond. There is NOTHING wrong with that. He needs to clear the crap so he can see his way through. He still thinks Trump is all the things he called him before, but he has to do work and does not need a pile on from Trump, Hochel AND Schumer and Jeffries. He has to be the grown up. Good for him.
As Heather Cox Richardson pointed out, a narcissist operates in one of three modes: rage, charm, and victimhood. This was charm. He respects winners.
Mamdani meeting Trump makes Mamdani the "adult" in the room.
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Top Comments (10)
Not lost on me how in literally 99.9% of photos Mamdani takes he has a toothy ear to ear smile on, but he doesn’t crack a single actual grin in any of the pics or footage with Trump . Respect .
Mamdami didn’t smile like he normally does. He didn’t back down on the fascist and despot thing. He didn’t cave. He just showed how shallow Trump is.
I think Mamdani humiliated the republican party with this meeting, took the wind out of their sails by getting trump to embrace the most left leaning elected official in the country. Got trump off the back of new york and possibly hurt trumps image with some in his base. Leftists are loving this, we recognize it for the brilliant political move it was.
Come on Sarah, he's shown mastery of turmp. Nothing but a win
Mamdani didn’t give an inch. He answered the fascist question with a “yes, yeah”
If you watched Mamdani and Trump meet, you saw that Mamdani was himself. he smiles. He’s very charming. It is natural to like him. That is why he is so successful as a politician. He and Donald Trump agreed that things need to be made more affordable Trump sees Mamdani as someone who could help him make things more affordable in New York and Trump feels that then he’ll get credit for it. Trump has always been completely transactional. Please note that Mamdani brought no gold bars, and was never reduced to slobbering flattery. He remained true to himself and that was enough to have Trump react favorably.
I live in NYC. I thought Mamdani handled the meeting with Trump stupendously. I voted for Mamdani, but despite liking him, was worried Trump would come after us and that Mamdani wouldn't prioritize safety. After this meeting, I know he plans on safety being one of his priorities, and that he's going to try to protect us from Trump. What a talent. Sarah, Trump is going downhill and his party is starting to crack, and this meeting won't stop that. Mamdani didn't smile at Trump. He stayed on point. He sacrificed nothing.
Mamdani will be the mayor of NYC. He has been threatened with deportation, with removal of funds, with sending in militarized persons. Mamdani did the smart thing, charm the beast. He asked for the meeting to try to make things better so he can focus on his job come Jan 1st and beyond. There is NOTHING wrong with that. He needs to clear the crap so he can see his way through. He still thinks Trump is all the things he called him before, but he has to do work and does not need a pile on from Trump, Hochel AND Schumer and Jeffries. He has to be the grown up. Good for him.
As Heather Cox Richardson pointed out, a narcissist operates in one of three modes: rage, charm, and victimhood. This was charm. He respects winners.
Mamdani meeting Trump makes Mamdani the "adult" in the room.