Why the Mamdani-Trump ‘bromance’ makes sense right now

NEW YORK — When he was campaigning to be mayor of the nation’s largest city, Zohran  Mamdani liked to say he was President Trump’s “worst nightmare.” 

In his victory speech in November, Mamdani took it a step further — calling Trump a “despot” and declaring that if anyone could show how to defeat him, “it’s the city that gave rise to him.” 

Trump returned the fire.

He called Mamdani a “communist” and someone “who doesn’t know a damn thing” while threatening to withhold federal funds from New York. 

But on Thursday — for the second time since the mayor was elected in November — Trump and Mamdani not only met at the White House. Both sides emerged claiming to have a productive meeting. 

“It is the most fascinating bromance in America right now,” New York Democratic strategist Trip Yang said. 

To go from sparring as Mamdani campaigned “to where they are now, which looks like best buddies in a romcom, it’s simply remarkable.” 

It’s an unusual turn of events: Two politicians who have built their brands and support by opposing the other side were suddenly collaborative.

And yet, political observers say the relationship makes sense.

“Game recognizes game, and what I mean by that is they see something kindred in each other,” said Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party. 

“They’re populist leaders. They appeal to very different bases for very different reasons, but they both have been able to create very strong movements around their respective candidacies, and are in firm control of that. I think they each recognize that, in attempting to go after the other person, their respective supporters are unshakeable.” 

During Thursday’s unscheduled meeting, Mamdani proposed a plan to build 12,000 units of housing in Queens. The plan would cost more than $21 billion, one of the largest federal investments in recent history. 

When he arrived at the White........

© The Hill