Trump Wrecks Republicans’ Biggest Talking Points on Zohran Mamdani

President Donald Trump’s compliments to Zohran Mamdani on Friday may have detonated Republican strategy for the 2026 midterm elections.

Since Mamdani’s resounding success in the New York mayoral primary in June, Republicans have rushed to paint it like the face of a more “radical left” Democratic Party. After former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced it retirement Earlier this month, House Republicans moved to official casting Mamdani as their bogeyman before the 2026 midterms.

But on Friday, Trump appeared happier than ever like he loved it their stooge — and blew up some of Republicans’ biggest complaints about Mamdani.

Trump (once again) made fun of Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who had launched hers botched gubernatorial campaign shortly after, Mamdani won his own election in order to “save New York.”

A reporter asked Trump if he agreed with any of Stefanik’s many proposals. racist attacks against Mamdani after meeting the elected mayor. “Do you think you are standing next to a jihadist in the Oval Office right now? the journalist request.

“No, I don’t. But she’s campaigning, and uh, you say things sometimes during a campaign. She’s a very competent person, but you really should ask her about that,” Trump responded, calling Mamdani a “very rational person.” The president had previously called Mamdani a “100% crazy communist.”

Trump also rejected wild claims by Republicans that Mamdani’s progressive policies would send New York City’s top earners packing. leave en masse.

“Would you feel comfortable living in New York under a Mamdani administration? request another journalist.

“Yes, I would, I really would. Especially after the meeting. Absolutely,” Trump responded, adding: “We agree on a lot more than I thought we would. I want him to do a great job, and we will help him do a great job.”

As a running man several plots To ensure the Republican victory in the 2026 midterms, Trump seemed completely oblivious to the political influence he was losing by falling prey to Mamdani’s charm offensive. If anything, Trump seemed convinced that some of Mamdani’s broad anti-establishment appeal could also apply to him — either that, or he was just excited about meeting another celebrity.

Mamdani didn’t seem too unhappy either, alongside the man he described as a despot – even if he refused to back down of his strong criticism of the president’s administration.