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At first blush, this story from Axios might surprise you:
President Trump has a surprising phone pal: He and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have texted back and forth recently, two sources familiar with their conversations tell Axios.
The back-channeling between the democratic socialist mayor and Trump — who once derided Mamdani as a “communist” — indicates their private communications have been more extensive than previously thought.
It also suggests that the good vibes they presented during Mamdani’s post-election visit to the Oval Office in November have developed into an ongoing relationship.
The texting started soon after Trump and Mamdani exchanged numbers during their November meeting, the sources told Axios.
But Trump hates Mamdani! He called the New York City mayor a socialist/communist/leftist/wacko! He said that if Mamdani was elected the Big Apple would cease to exist!
Here’s the thing: Trump doesn’t really mean (or believe) most of the stuff he says in public. He says it because it works to motivate his base. To get him attention. To keep him in the daily mix. Because it’s provocative.
Most of what Trump says is done with a sort of wink and a nod, a you’re-in-on-the-joke knowingness. That wink is, of course, totally missed by a large part of his base who think he really hates the media or the “elites” or whatever.
(Sidebar: If you want to understand Marjorie Taylor Greene’s evolution from rabidly pro-Trump to Trump skeptic, this is the perfect lens with which to do it. MTG circa 2016 thought Trump really believed everything he said. MTG 2025 realized he believes almost none of it.)
Consider Mamdani. Mamdani is a star. A celebrity. Someone who is “hot” in the political zeitgeist. He’s also the mayor of Trump’s hometown.
Given all of that, Trump was always going to get along with him privately. Trump loves stars. He loves people with buzz, people who other people talk about. He loves these sorts of folks because that’s who he considers himself. And he loooooooves himself.
So I wasn’t surprised — in the least! — when the November meeting at the White House between Trump and Mamdani went well. Hell, Trump even told Mamdani he was even more handsome in person! It was a downright lovefest!
Nor am I surprised that Trump and Mamdani have struck up a texting relationship. Because Trump likes to be liked by the people he considers to be on his level of fame and stardom. He isn’t really ideological at all. That’s all just for show.
(Sidebar: It’s in Mamdani’s interest to have a good relationship with Trump because of the amount of federal money that flows into New York City every year.)
And it’s not just Mamdani! Earlier this week, after she delivered an economic-focused speech blasting Trump, the president picked up the phone and called Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Here’s how the Washington Post reported on the call:
The two erstwhile foes discussed housing legislation and the proposed cap on credit card rates. It was “a good call” that occurred spontaneously, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
That’s the same Elizabeth Warren that Trump has spent a decade calling “Pocahontas” and mocking. Why would he call her after she ripped him in a speech? Because he doesn’t really mean what he says and the names he calls! Because, for him, it’s all a big game — and he respects other people who play it at his level.
This doesn’t excuse Trump, of course. While he knows it’s all in the game (Omar Little!), most of the people who count themselves as MAGA adherents do not. They think his villainizing of the other side (or, really, anyone who disagrees with him) is proof that Trump truly believes these are bad and evil people. And they carry that view with them throughout their daily lives — often with real and lasting consequences.
But, for you, smart reader, the Mamdani-Trump relationship is an important one to understand. It illuminates who Trump really is: A dealmaker, a non-ideologue who just likes being around and befriending the rich and famous.
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