'The GOP will lose the midterms': MAGA 'thrown' by Trump's praise of NYC mayor-elect

U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

President Donald Trump's complimentary tone toward New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani caught many Republicans off guard — and some are worried about what that could mean for the GOP's hopes in next year's pivotal midterm elections.

"I expect to be helping him, not hurting him," Trump said, adding that he would feel "really" comfortable living in New York City with Mamdani as mayor.

"Especially after the meeting, absolutely," the president said.

On Friday, Fox News took note of numerous young White House staffers awaiting Mamdani's arrival. Business Insider reporter Bryan Metzger tweeted: "it says *something* about Mamdani that a bunch of 20-something Trump admin staffers were camped out hoping to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the [White House]."

Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman observed that the president "showering praise on Mamdani in the White House may throw House Republicans for a loop."

"The House GOP has signaled their entire 2026 campaign plan is to tie Democrats to Mamdani," Sherman wrote.

DC Examiner conservative columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher offered a different theory, suggesting that while Trump may not be enamored with Mamdani's politics, he nonetheless views him as a kindred spirit given that the president remains a New Yorker at heart.

"Saying this as someone who thinks Zohran Mamdani is an economically illiterate communist who has never held a real job in his life," Doescher wrote on X. "[T]he reason Trump is so chummy w/ a guy who hates him is because game recognizes game. Trump & Mamdani are both charismatic TV stars who love NYC."

In response to a post from conservative podcaster Clay Travis — who referred to the Trump-Mamdani meeting as a "bromance" — MAGA influencer Laura Loomer was apoplectic, writing: "So are we just going to normalize communism?"

"The GOP will lose the midterms," Loomer lamented.

"What is the GOP going to campaign on ahead of the midterms if the GOP is saying Mamdani is good?" Loomer added in a separate post.

New York Times Michael M. Grynbaum noticed a quip from Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who said: "I think JD Vance is jealous."

"I know influencers want to try to make 'Trump owned Mamdani' a thing for engagement, but given it was Trump who said he had his mind changed and that he now thinks Mamdani will do a good job, that's not really viable. Is what it is," tweeted Red State writer Bonchie. "Mamdani got what he wanted."

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