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Diana E's avatar

Mamdani is, simply, a brilliant politician. You can also tell he was raised to treat others with generosity, not derision. Yes, we’ll have to see how he does as Mayor of NYC, but if he does what Obama did in his first term—surrounding himself with people who know what they are doing—I suspect he will do well. What a contrast of faux confidence and real confidence we witnessed at that Whitehouse meeting.

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R Cyclone's avatar

It was indeed the most fascinating press conference. Trump’s right wing reporters would try to ask a “got you” question and Trump quickly deflected for Mamdani. It was fun to watch. I’ve got to give Mamdani credit … he is very skilled at politics and communication. And he has an infectious smile. Trump kept looking up to him and smiling.

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RP2112's avatar

Well, Mike, I have say you pretty much changed my mind on this topic. I initially thought this was a win for Trump. It got so much coverage (ABC nightly news had a full segment on it) that it gave Trump the chance to appear normal, to say that he cares about affordability alongside someone whose chief message that is, and that for Mamdani supporters, they'd come away thinking Trump isn't so bad. After all, he likes our guy, when even some Dems don't. But, your take on how it torpedoed the R strategy was really good. I still think it gave Trump a generous platform, just like his dinner with Bill Maher, but I definitely have moved from my initial thoughts that it was a win for Trump and Mamdani got used. Thank you! Love when I see/read something that's good and well thought out enough to change my perspective.

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Mike Nellis's avatar

Appreciate you RP

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Quite a few of my social media buddies did too, in part because Trump didn't stand to greet Mamdani. Me, I'm not sure Trump can stand without pain and/or balance problems.

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Michelle Gudaitis's avatar

Trump is usually a TV-optics genius, e.g. the escalator descent; the bloody ear fist pump. That he allowed himself to be pictured sitting down, looking old and weak, while the younger, stronger Mamdani stood upright beside him was worth 1000 words. Evidence of both mental and physical decline.

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Joan MacLeod's avatar

That one photo of Trump smiling up at Mamdani was hilarious because it was the same look and smile that Trump gave Vance before they had sex on the latest episode of South Park lol

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Mike Nellis's avatar

Hahahahaha

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Tom Andrus's avatar

They put a genius against an illiterate idiot.

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Judy Graboyes's avatar

You are a fantastic writer! I shared this post on Facebook. Very funny! Thanks

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Bensnewlogin's avatar

“This is what happens when you build your entire movement around one man and convince yourselves he’s infallible. Eventually, he turns on you. He drags you down.”

I don’t think this is really the problem. It’s a symptom of the problem, but it’s not the problem.

From my essay on the insurrection:

“My conclusion? Looking at what people do, rather than what they say they are doing, provides much better information about who they really are. His base just wants a con man, a sociopath, a criminal, a manipulator, and unfortunately, a strong man to guide them and embody their aspirations. That's all there is to it, and nothing more. But how anyone could look at a venal, corrupt, dishonest, bullying, weak, lying narcissist like Trump, a self-confessed sexual abuser, and see strength, is beyond me… But therein lies the answer as to how we got to this point. Not to put too fine a point on it, but nearly half the this nation is ethically crippled, reality challenged, intellectually deranged, educationally debased, empathetically destitute, morally lazy at best and morally bankrupt at worst. No nation has ever survived this, nor can it, unless the other half stays vigilant and active… In fact, they applaud his attacks, because it proves to them that their strong man will not be bullied by intellectuals or scientific types. They might come up with a mighty waddya-gonna-do shrug of the shoulders about it, but it will have no effect on their naked quest for power, money, and dominion— and in the age of Trump: REVENGE.”

Mamdani “succeeded” with President Piggy for the simple reason that Trump is a narcissist, he is susceptible to flattery, he listens to the last person who spoke to him, and anybody who tells him what he wants to hear will get his ear. Plus, just looking at his public utterances, his lack of filters and controls, his naked nastiness— and the thought of Trump naked makes my scrotum shrivel— also says that his always questionable mind is deteriorating. Whether it’s from the onset of dementia or simply the fact of piggy being piggy, that doesn’t make much difference.

Mamdani play Trump like a banjo in the swamps of his fervid imagination. Hopefully, this generates all kinds of outrage from MAGAtry, and maybe it will stick. But I have a suspicion that it will not stick for long, simply because of what I observed in my insurrection essay. There are of course MAGAtous individuals who are finally starting to see through the curtain of their own delusions.

Maybe EmptyGee is one of them. Maybe. But the rest of them seem to have the attention span of a gnat. This is just one more blip on a screen white with them.

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Laura Lowery's avatar

All I have to say is well played, Zohran!! That was a masterpiece to watch!

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Steven Jonas's avatar

Guess what Trump's increasingly addled brain remembered: he and his family own lots of real estate in New York City. And with Trump, only one thing comes before his politics and that is his money. Plus, the New York real estate sector, at least the Jewish section, is fully on board with The Mayor. Trump got the message, likely directly.

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Kathleen's avatar

Mike, This article is right on point. Very well done!

Mayor-Elect Mamdani is truly a brilliant politician and an excellent communicator. I think you’re right about D.T. not getting enough hugs when he was a little boy growing up. I also smiled throughout the entirety of this article.

I couldn’t believe the flip-flop, but we’ll take it.

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Alan Neff's avatar

Whenever I think of Trump's opportunistic/self-aggrandizing influencer-sycophants trying to divine his direction and desires, I think of "Death of Stalin." I hope you're right about the ensuing strategic and electoral consequences for that class of nihilistic hacks.

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Tony's avatar

I guess a sleepover is next

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Sally Harloff's avatar

Sad the majority of the GOP and MAGA people refused to learn about, understand and listen to Mamdani. Even sadder they know what a mistake Trump is and refuse to rein him in or even accept he is a fascist. Everyone needs to see the movie “Nuremberg” to understand where this nation is headed. GOP who know how dangerous Trump is and refuse to call him out are not fit to hold their positions. I am interested in seeing, hearing and learning how MTG is going to truly try and make a difference.

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Ellen Edwards's avatar

I think Mamdani called his bluff. Trump backed cuomo and figured Mamdani would never face him. He did and Trump was so taken aback that he didn’t know how to act. Clearly lol

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gerri caldarola's avatar

Trump more than anything wants yo be on the New York "inside" - not the wanna be from the Bronx

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Joseph (Joe) Snyder's avatar

Mike, you are assuming that midterms will actually take place. Not a safe assumption given the tactics of our would be king and his minions (or is he the minion). In any case, they are already working on strategy to cancel the midterm election.

Yours worriedly,

Joe

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Calvin P's avatar

The midterms will actually take place

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