Six weeks before the midterms, President Donald Trump is complicating one of Republicans' central campaign arguments against Democrats — warmly praising New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after repeatedly warning voters about the rise of socialism and communism on the left. "I want him to be a great mayor, and he’s certainly got potential, got great potential," Trump told reporters as he patted Mamdani on the back after the two leaders met Monday at New York City's Gracie Mansion. The meeting, where the two leaders discussed cost of living and housing issues, isn't sitting well with some Republicans fighting to keep control of the House and Senate in the midterms.
"All of it is self-inflicted, off-message, not helpful," a GOP strategist who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely told Fox News Digital. "None of these candidates out in these states, where these races are tighter and more competitive than they should be, are helped by any of this." MAMDANI TELLS TRUMP BANNED NEWS OUTLETS ARE WELCOME AT NYC MEETING Another Republican consultant, who also asked for anonymity, argued, "This is a president who is in a fully self-indulgent period. It doesn't seem like he really cares about winning.
It's all off key." Less than two weeks ago, Trump told Republicans gathered in Dallas at the GOP's first-ever midterm convention that there is a "communist" takeover of the Democratic Party. "In state after state, the Democrat establishment has been overthrown and replaced by crazed lunatics and radicals. They call themselves Democrat socialists, but actually, they’re communists," the president said.
Fast-forward to Monday, and Trump held his third meeting with Mamdani since he won election last year as the first socialist and first Muslim mayor of the nation's most populous city. A third GOP strategist, who was also granted anonymity, argued, "It seems he keeps on stepping on the message, making the election about how crazy the left is and communists and socialists and then appearing with them and yukking it up." A top Trump supporter quickly took to social media to blast the encounter. "I am a die hard Trump supporter and today I am feeling demoralized because Mamdani is a full blown communist jihadist.
He is the spiritual leader of the communists in America and he met with the President today in NYC less than 45 days before the midterms," right-wing activist and MAGA champion Laura Loomer argued on social media. Loomer, an internet personality who has carved out an influential unofficial role as Trump confidant, emphasized, "How is this supposed to make Trump’s most loyal supporters feel? We don’t feel very happy today.
We were told to FIGHT communism. But when we fight communism, we see the communist get rewarded... The base is very angry today." DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Alex Bruesewitz, a longtime Trump aide who now serves as a leading outside adviser to the president, shot back on X, writing, "I don’t understand the "Republicans" who are upset about the President having a friendly relationship with the Mayor of New York @ZohranKMamdani.
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