Trump Praises NYC Socialist Mayor 6 Weeks Before Midterms, Undercutting GOP Attack Line
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 23
Trump Praises NYC Socialist Mayor 6 Weeks Before Midterms, Undercutting GOP Attack Line
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 23
Summary
Six weeks before the midterms, Trump publicly lauded New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as having “great potential” after their meeting at Gracie Mansion, unsettling Republicans trying to cast Democrats as extremists.
The praise cut against Trump’s own recent warning that Democrats had been taken over by “communists,” blurring a central GOP message meant to shift the election away from inflation, fuel prices and the Iran war.
Republican strategists told Fox News the optics were “off-message” and self-inflicted, while Laura Loomer said Trump’s base felt “demoralized” by the friendly encounter.
Some Trump allies dismissed the backlash, arguing a president must work with New York City’s mayor; the two leaders had discussed cost-of-living, housing and a 12,000-unit Sunnyside Yard plan.