The political landscape was shaken on Friday when former President Donald Trump hosted New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a surprisingly cordial Oval Office meeting, creating significant disarray among his MAGA supporters.
MAGA World Reacts with Outrage
The meeting, which took place on Friday, saw Trump retreat from his previous characterization of Mamdani as a "communist lunatic" and instead forecast that the mayor "can do a very job" leading New York City. This dramatic shift in tone left many of Trump's most loyal supporters feeling bewildered and betrayed.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer, one of Trump's most fervent online backers, expressed her disgust in multiple social media posts. "Wild to allow a jihadist communist to stand behind the president's desk in the Oval Office. Sad to see," she wrote. Loomer later added that the sight had physically nauseated her, requiring ginger ale to settle her stomach.
Republican Figures Voice Disapproval
The criticism extended beyond social media influencers to include established Republican politicians. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is running to become New York state governor next year, delivered a sharp rebuke using repetitive language to emphasize her point.
"If he walks like a jihadist. If he talks like a jihadist. If he campaigns like a jihadist. If he supports jihadists – he's a jihadist," Stefanik stated unequivocally.
New York City Council Republican Inna Vernikov expressed disappointment that Trump had "legitimized" Mamdani, questioning why the former president would engage with someone she described as having "Marxist with Jihadist aligned views."
Strategic Support and Bizarre Alliances
Not all Trump supporters viewed the meeting negatively. Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist, suggested Trump was employing political subtlety by boosting Mamdani only to let his policies "crater the city."
"Trump will let him collapse because he's a Marxist jihadist," Bannon explained during his War Room podcast discussion with activist Jack Posobiec.
The unusual display of harmony also surprised Mamdani's supporters. New York's Public Advocate Jumanne Williams described the meeting as "pretty shocking" while acknowledging it may have staved off harmful measures for the city.
Former Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, who endorsed Mamdani's candidacy, saw parallels with his own White House meetings with Trump. "I think Trump has actually a lot of respect for Mamdani. As they say, game respects game," de Blasio told CNN.
The unexpected Oval Office encounter has exposed significant fractures within Trump's base while raising questions about the former president's political strategy heading into the next election cycle.
