President Donald Trump's Friday ingratiation with Zoran Mamdani may have just blown up the Republican strategy for the 2026 midterm elections.
After Mamdani's stunning success in the New York mayoral primary in June, Republicans rushed to draw it like a face the more “radical left” Democratic Party. After former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement earlier this month House Republicans became an official member Mamdani will be their bogeyman ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
But on Friday Trump showed up happier than ever how is he sucked up their foil—and undercut some of the Republicans' main complaints about Mamdani.
Trump (again) screwed over GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who launched her own unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign shortly after Mamdani won his own election to “save New York”.
One reporter asked Trump if he agreed with one of Stefanik's many supporters. racist attacks against Mamdani after meeting with the elected mayor. “Do you think you’re standing next to a jihadist in the Oval Office right now?” reporter asked.
“No, I don't know. But she's out there campaigning, and, well, when you're on the campaign trail, sometimes you say things. She's a very capable person, but you'd really have to ask her about it,” Trump responded, calling Mamdani “a very rational person.” Earlier, the president called Mamdani “a 100% crazy communist.”
Trump also rejected outlandish Republican claims that Mamdani's progressive policies would boost incomes for New York's highest earners. leaving in droves.
“Would you feel comfortable living in New York under the Mamdani administration?” asked another reporter.
“Yes, I would, I really would. Especially after the meeting. Absolutely,” Trump responded, adding: “We agreed on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and we'll help him do a great job.”
Like a man running several plots To secure a Republican victory in the 2026 midterm elections, Trump appeared completely unaware of the political leverage he had lost by succumbing to Mamdani's charm offensive. Rather, Trump seemed convinced that some of Mamdani's broad anti-establishment appeals might also apply to him—either that or he was simply excited to meet another celebrity.
Mamdani didn't look too unhappy either, standing next to the man he called a despot, although he refused to back down because of his harsh criticism of the presidential administration.
