Late-night television hosts have delivered their verdict on one of the most unexpected political encounters of the season: the remarkably cordial meeting between former President Donald Trump and New York's newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
A 'Closer Look' at an Unlikely Alliance
Seth Meyers dedicated a significant portion of his Late Night programme to analysing the bizarrely friendly White House encounter. The host expressed astonishment at Trump's demeanour towards the Democratic socialist, a figure his administration had frequently vilified.
Meyers observed that Trump appeared utterly captivated, quipping that the former president looked like a child meeting a beloved cartoon character. This was a stark contrast to Trump's previous characterisations of Mamdani as a communist and a total nutjob.
I've never seen Trump this smitten before, Meyers stated, offering a theory for the behaviour. He suggested that Trump, surrounded by what he termed charmless goons, was so taken aback by Mamdani's charisma that he swooned as if on a date with the varsity quarterback.
Flirtatious Fascism and a Stunned MAGA World
The segment highlighted what was arguably the most surprising moment of the Oval Office meeting. When Mamdani was questioned about previously labelling Trump a fascist, the former president interjected with a pat on the arm, saying, That's OK, you can just say, 'Yes.' OK? It's easier I don't mind.
Meyers joked that this was the flirtiest way he had ever heard anyone give permission to be called a fascist. He concluded, however, by cautioning that Trump's change in tune was likely temporary, a pattern witnessed many times before.
Meanwhile, from Los Angeles, Jimmy Kimmel also seized on the strange affair, contrasting it with the resignation of Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress. Kimmel celebrated the departure, noting it as another lesson that loyalty to Trump is a one-way street.
His focus then returned to the Mamdani meeting, which he described as having the vibe of a wealthy elderly gay man at the Cheesecake Factory ordering his shy young boyfriend dessert. Kimmel expressed shock at the lavish praise Trump bestowed upon the mayor-elect, including calling his race incredible and expressing confidence in his future performance.
The unlikely alliance sent shockwaves through Trump's support base. Kimmel quipped that commentators like Sean Hannity had to be rebooted multiple times. He pointed out the irony that Maga supporters were more furious about this friendly meeting than they were about Trump dining with a Saudi prince linked to the dismemberment of a journalist.
The Ultimate Takeaway
Both comedians arrived at a similar conclusion about the underlying reason for Trump's behaviour. Kimmel surmised that it was almost as if Trump doesn't have any real political convictions at all, suggesting the former president simply says whatever suits the moment.
The core takeaway, as framed by Meyers, was the complete evaporation of Maga scare tactics. The political right had anticipated the meeting would be a nightmare for Mamdani, but the encounter ultimately appeared to be a dream come true for Trump himself.
