In a political pivot that has left Washington insiders and New York power brokers reeling, President Donald Trump welcomed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to the White House on Friday, praising the self-described democratic socialist as a leader with a “chance to do a great job.”
The meeting between the two Queens natives—ideological opposites who have previously traded barbs involving terms like “fascist” and “communist”—marked a surprising moment of détente.
CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten highlighted the statistical thread binding the two men together. Both Trump and Mamdani secured their respective victories by dominating the narrative on the economy. In 2024, Trump bested Kamala Harris on economic issues by a staggering 63 points.
Similarly, Mamdani’s recent mayoral win was fueled by a focus on the cost of living, an issue where he led opponents by 37 points.
But the honeymoon period for the President’s second term appears to be over. According to Enten’s analysis of recent polling, Trump’s standing on inflation has collapsed.
READ: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Says Trump Trying To ‘Rub A Little Shine’ From Mamdani
“This is called the slippery slope down the bottom,” Enten noted. In January, the President enjoyed a net approval rating of plus three points on inflation. As of late November, that number has plummeted to 34 points underwater.
“I can say that Donald Trump at this point on inflation is swimming with the fishes,” Enten quipped, adding that the President’s overall approval rating has followed suit. An aggregate of major polls places Trump’s net approval anywhere from 14 to 26 points underwater, numbers Enten compared to the lackluster performance of the Buffalo Bills’ offense.
Despite the sinking metrics, Friday’s Oval Office meeting was characterized by mutual praise rather than partisan friction. President Trump, who had previously labeled Mamdani a “communist,” told reporters it was a “great honor” to sit down with the incoming mayor. The two reportedly discussed shared goals regarding crime, housing, and the crushing cost of living in New York City.
“We’re going to help him,” Trump said, standing before a portrait of FDR. “I really think [he has] a chance to do a great job.”
READ: Socialist And The President: AOC Backs Mamdani’s Oval Office Meeting After Trump Jabs
The warmth of the interaction reportedly shocked White House staff, particularly given the President’s recent dismissal of staunch allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene. Political observers note that the meeting undercuts the messaging of New York Republicans, such as Elise Stefanik, who have campaigned on the premise that Mamdani’s radicalism poses a danger to the state.
While the “Queens Bros” narrative offered a moment of levity, analysts remain skeptical about the longevity of this alliance. Ron Brownstein, a senior political analyst, warned that the chummy atmosphere is unlikely to survive the collision of actual policy.
The Trump administration is currently pushing to condition federal funding for local governments on the adoption of conservative policies—mandates that Mamdani has vowed to fight in court. With looming crackdowns on immigration and disputes over infrastructure projects like the Gateway Tunnel, the current goodwill may be short-lived.
“Let’s revisit this in six or eight weeks when some of the policies actually come into collision,” Brownstein said. “I will see whether they are as chummy as they appear today.”
For now, however, the President seems content to bridge the partisan divide with his fellow New Yorker, even as his national numbers suggest a populace growing increasingly impatient with the economic status quo.
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