Americast: The Donald Trump v Zohran Mamdani Show

BBC News | November 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Americast team unpacks the unexpected and headline-making meeting between President Donald Trump and New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. After a bitter campaign full of barbs, the two politicians shocked many by appearing cordial and even collaborative in the White House, leading to rampant speculation about their relationship, what it says about modern politics, and the governing prospects of New York under Mamdani. The hosts are joined by Nick Reisman, Politico’s Albany bureau chief, for informed analysis.

Key Topics and Insights

1. The Trump–Mamdani Meeting: From Enemies to “Friends”

• Opening Context:
  Sarah highlights the surprising optics of the Trump–Mamdani Oval Office meeting following harsh campaign rhetoric:

  “One of the most surprising scenes we've seen in the Oval Office...was when the new mayor of New York, Zoran Mamdani, came to meet Donald Trump...now suddenly they're all smiles...What is going on here?” (01:11)

• Inside the Meeting:
  Audio snippets from the encounter reflect a mix of banter and striking agreement:

  • Trump: “We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I think he's... I want him to do a great job.” (03:51)
  • Mamdani and Trump are seen discussing transit, with Trump jokingly defending Mamdani’s use of a plane over a bus (04:09).

• Media Attention:
  Trump is surprised at the level of coverage:

  “The press has eaten this thing up...The biggest people in the world, they come over from countries, nobody cares. But they did care about this meeting.” (04:25)

2. The Roots of (Unexpected) Common Ground

• Shared Backgrounds:
  Anthony points out that, despite political differences, both are “outer borough New Yorkers” with similar personalities and outsider messaging:

  “They both have a lot in common. Even though they come from different backgrounds, growing up in New York City, they probably know some of the same sites...For Donald Trump, politics...is personal. And Zohran came in there and did treat Donald Trump with respect...I think Donald Trump reacted positively to that.” (05:14)

• Overlapping Voters:
  Surprisingly, there are voters who have backed both Trump and Mamdani, particularly due to frustration over affordability:

  “Some of the people [Mamdani] talked to on the street who were his supporters were also Trump supporters. I think Donald Trump liked that as well...he wants to make it there.” (06:36)

3. Core Policy Tensions: Affordability, Taxes, and Style

• Common Problems, Different Solutions:
  Agreement exists on New York’s affordability crisis, but differs sharply on solutions.

  • Mamdani pushes for higher taxes on the wealthy to fund free buses, subsidized groceries, housing, etc.
  • Trump (and Republicans) remain committed to lower taxes:

    “Mamdani has already called for higher taxes on the wealthy...Donald Trump obviously personally believes in lowering taxes on the wealthy, but also it's kind of a core tenet of the entire Republican Party.” (07:59)

• Stylistic Similarity:
  Both “have this kind of, we're going to rail against the elites who are trying to keep us down.” (08:55).

4. Two Sides of Political Utility

• Mutual Political Foils:
  Despite the current cordiality, Mamdani and Trump benefitted electorally from demonizing each other:

  “They're useful to each other as...opposite. To characterize them as particularly dangerous or evil is...electorally useful.” (10:13)

  • Mamdani’s victory speech:

    “Donald Trump, I know you're watching...Turn the volume up.” (10:17)

• Enduring Rifts:
  After the meeting, Mamdani reaffirmed on NBC’s Meet the Press that he believes Trump is a fascist (11:08); Trump has called Mamdani a communist.

  “It's very difficult to be meeting and saying, here's my friend the fascist, and I'm my friend the communist.” (11:55)

5. Electoral & Governance Implications

• Republican Strategy Undermined:
  The Trump–Mamdani détente makes it tougher for Republicans to brand Democrats as “dangerously far left.”

  “They were building an entire midterm election strategy around making Mamdani the face of the Democratic Party...And this just gives a visual that undercuts that pretty significantly.” (12:44)

• Potential Federal Retaliation:
  Trump had previously threatened to withhold federal funds from NYC if Mamdani won and could “really hurt New York City if he wanted to put the squeeze on it,” especially with infrastructure (14:31).

• National Guard Risks:
  Sending the National Guard into NYC for immigration or crime issues would be politically fraught and might backfire for Republicans.

  “I don't think it'll help Mamdani in that it reduces crime...crime in New York City is fairly low by historic standards right now.” (15:46)

6. Expert Analysis: Nick Reisman (Politico) Joins

On New York Political Culture:

• Outsiders from NYC often attract national attention due to the city's outsized media, cultural, and financial influence.

  “When you're mayor of New York or if you're a very prominent...real estate developer...you're going to get an outsized amount of attention...” (17:43)

Stability of the Trump–Mamdani “Bromance”:

• Trump is “mercurial, temperamental”—he could turn on Mamdani any day. (19:19)
• Economic populism is a shared theme, but Republican opposition to tax hikes remains strong, and Mamdani’s promises appeal to city voters.
• The bigger fault line may be crime and public safety, not taxes. (20:42)

Role of Albany & Governor Kathy Hochul:

• Hochul has been cautious about tax hikes but may shift under pressure and uncertainty from Congress.

  “She has...played her cards...close to the vest...at very least...we'll probably see some tax increase proposals.” (22:16)

• Hochul needs Mamdani’s voters for her own re-election and must balance diverse political pressures. (23:20)

Impact on Republican Challenger Elise Stefanik:

• Trump’s embrace of Mamdani hurts Stefanik’s strategy to paint both Mamdani and Hochul as extreme leftists.

  “It definitely did not make it easier for Elise Stefanik to run in what is a very, very Democratic dominated state.” (24:13)

• Tying oneself tightly to Trump’s unpredictable positions remains risky for state Republicans. (26:35)

Democratic Friction: Moderates vs. Socialists

• Suburban and moderate Democrats have kept Mamdani at arm’s length due to his unpopularity outside NYC’s progressive base. (27:47)
• Even Hakeem Jeffries was slow to support him.
• Mamdani is intervening to protect Jeffries from a DSA-led primary challenge—a pragmatic move to preserve federal ties.

  “He does not want to tell people, oh, do not primary Hakeem Jeffries...He is going to have to...put some of his political capital on the line.” (30:27)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Trump on the meeting’s attention:

  “The press has eaten this thing up...they did care about this meeting, and it was a great meeting.” (04:25)

• Mamdani on Trump:

  “That's something that I've said in the past. I say it today. And...we were not shy about the places of disagreement.” (11:08)

• Nick Reisman on Trump’s unpredictability:

  “Donald Trump may very well wake up tomorrow morning and decide to put on Truth Social how Zoran Mamdani is a loser and a communist because he saw Mamdani say something mean...so this may very well be something of a snapshot in time.” (19:19)

• Trump rebuffing jihadist claim by Stefanik:

  “I think I met with a man who's a very rational person. I met with a man who...wants to see New York be great again.” (26:20)

• On Democratic unease with Mamdani:

  “Their voters do not like Zoran Mamdani. He has a high disapproval rating in the New York City suburbs.” (28:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:11: Sarah introduces episode’s focus—Trump–Mamdani meeting surprise
• 03:31: Oval Office meeting clip; Mamdani and Trump interact
• 04:53: Analysis begins—Why did they get on so well?
• 06:36: Discussion of overlapping Trump–Mamdani voters
• 07:59: Core disagreement: policy differences on affordability, taxes
• 10:13: Use of each other as campaign foils; Mamdani’s victory speech
• 11:08: Mamdani reaffirms calling Trump a fascist post-meeting
• 12:44: Impact on Republican midterm strategy
• 14:31: Consequences of potential federal funding threats
• 15:46: National Guard precedent; political implications
• 17:28: Nick Reisman joins; analysis of NYC’s national importance
• 19:19: On Trump’s volatility and real prospect of “bromance” collapse
• 22:16: Hochul’s balancing act and possible tax hikes
• 24:13: Impact on Stefanik’s gubernatorial campaign
• 27:47: Democratic moderates keep distance from Mamdani
• 30:27: Mamdani blocking left-primary vs. Jeffries—signs of pragmatism

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode captures the complexities—and surprises—of American urban and national politics as symbolized in the Trump–Mamdani relationship. While both men found unexpected common ground and political benefit in appearing to reconcile, deep ideological divides and practical constraints loom large. The political fallout affects not only their own prospects but also strategic calculations for Republicans, New York’s governor, and national Democrats poised for 2026 contests. As guest Nick Reisman notes, the drama is likely far from over as the real test will be Mamdani's turn at governance.

For those seeking to understand the ever-shifting dynamics of US politics, this episode of Americast offers levity, sharp insights, and a front-row seat to a political odd couple moment.