When Donald Trump hinted that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was his “new buddy,” people across the political map did a double-take. Trump once trashed Mamdani in public, mocked his views, and painted him as everything wrong with city politics. Now the tone sounded softer, almost friendly. That shift raised a simple question that still hangs in the air. What does Mamdani actually think of Trump?
The short answer is that Mamdani is not starstruck or suddenly aligned. The Democratic Socialist, 34, treats the President like a force of nature, not a partner. Mamdani has said in private circles that Trump is unpredictable but useful to understand. The NYC mayor believes Trump thrives on attention and reaction, not consistency or shared values. That view shapes how Mamdani responds, calm on the surface, guarded underneath, and always aware of the spotlight Trump brings.
However, Trump’s interest is not about policy overlap. Mamdani is a democratic socialist who pushes housing reform, transit investment, and labor power. Trump stands against most of that. What pulls Trump in is Mamdani’s visibility and cultural pull. As mayor of the largest city in the country, Mamdani commands attention, headlines, and constant media buzz. Trump has always gravitated toward people who live in that space.
President Trump has a long record of blasting people publicly, then reaching out privately once the cameras cool. It keeps him in control of the narrative. Mamdani seems to understand that game.
What Mamdani Really Thinks About Trump?
Mamdani / IG / Zohran views Trump less as an enemy and more as a symptom. The NYC mayor, 34, believes Trump reflects a culture obsessed with fame, grievance, and dealmaking.
Mamdani has told aides that Trump is not driven by ideology, but by attention and leverage. That belief explains why Trump can attack someone one day and call them a friend the next.
From Mamdani’s perspective, Trump’s friendliness does not signal respect. It signals curiosity and opportunity. Trump likes to size people up, especially those who command crowds and headlines. Mamdani fits that profile perfectly. He is young, sharp, and constantly in the news. Trump sees that as a value, not a threat.
However, Zohran has not softened his criticism of Trump’s record. He still condemns Trump’s handling of immigration, climate policy, and civil rights. What he avoids is personal drama. He believes Trump wants emotional reactions because they keep him relevant. Silence and steady leadership deny Trump that fuel.
This approach mirrors how Trump once treated Senator Elizabeth Warren. After years of mocking her on stage and online, Trump reportedly called her privately to talk policy. That call came soon after Warren delivered a fierce speech against him. Trump did not suddenly agree with her. He wanted contact, relevance, and a sense of equal footing.
The Same Pattern Shows Up on the World Stage
Trump / IG / Trump’s relationship style at home mirrors his behavior abroad. His aggressive push to acquire Greenland from Denmark shocked allies and rattled diplomats.
The move was not grounded in long-term strategy alone. It was personal, emotional, and driven by Trump’s instincts.
Trump publicly floated the idea of buying Greenland, then escalated with threats and tariffs. He framed the issue as a deal that Denmark should accept. When leaders pushed back, Trump reacted with frustration and grievance. Reports later revealed that he tied the push to personal feelings, including resentment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
When asked why the United States needed to own Greenland instead of operating there, Trump gave a blunt answer. He said it was psychologically important to him. That statement captured his approach perfectly. Control mattered more than cooperation. Ownership mattered more than trust.
This behavior stunned NATO allies. Denmark is a long-standing partner. Greenland hosts critical military infrastructure already used by the United States. There was no urgent need for ownership. Trump’s demand created tension where none was necessary.
Just like with Mamdani, Trump’s public aggression masked a deeper motive. He wanted recognition, dominance, and the feeling of winning. Ideology and alliances came second.
