Six weeks before the midterms, President Donald Trump is complicating one of Republicans’ central campaign arguments against Democrats â 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 hes certainly got potential, got great potential,” Trump told reporters as he 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.”
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 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, theyre 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 Trumps most loyal supporters feel? We dont 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.”
Alex Bruesewitz, a longtime Trump aide who now serves as a leading outside adviser to the president, shot back on X, writing, “I dont understand the “Republicans” who are upset about the President having a friendly relationship with the Mayor of New York @ZohranKMamdani. Its not wrong to have friendly relationships with people you disagree with. In fact, its healthy and good for you!”
Republicans are fighting against traditional political headwinds facing the party in power and a rough political climate fueled by persistent inflation, surging gas and diesel prices, what polls show is a very unpopular war with Iran, and Trump’s underwater approval ratings.
To flip the script, a key part of the GOP playbook aims to turn what’s normally a referendum on the party in power into a choice election by painting all Democrats on the ballot as far-left radicals.
While some Republican strategists say Trump is stepping on the message, others are not concerned.
“I don’t think it’s that big a deal,” veteran GOP consultant Dave Carney told Fox News Digital.
Carney said that Trump’s meeting with Mamdani “goes with his role” as president “and it’s not a political role. The federal government and the pre
