Podcast Summary: “Jaws drop as Trump has 'nothing but praise' for Mamdani, boogeyman of right-wing media”

Podcast: The Briefing with Jen Psaki
Host: Jen Psaki (Ms. Now)
Date: November 22, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into a week of political shocks: the surprise resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene—longtime MAGA loyalist—following a public break with President Trump, and an Oval Office meeting where Donald Trump lavished praise on New York’s Democratic Socialist mayor-elect, Zoran Mamdani, defying expectations of a confrontation. Host Jen Psaki and guests analyze these upsets, the implications for Republican unity and MAGA politics, the shifting political winds around populist messaging, and Trump’s increasingly transactional, self-serving approach to governance.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation and Break with Trump

(00:55 – 07:25)

• Breaking News: MTG will resign from Congress, citing attacks from Trump after she joined Democrats urging release of the full Epstein files. She denounces a hostile MAGA climate and lack of support for her policy priorities.
• Quote – Marjorie Taylor Greene [01:30]:
  “Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States whom I fought for.”
• Analysis:
  • Vaughn Hilliard (Senior White House Correspondent) observes that Greene’s “cult-like” cult critique signals her growing frustration with GOP/MAGA orthodoxy.
  • Her isolation reflects the consequences for dissent within the current Republican Party.
  • Greene’s resignation highlights the end of hope for policy movement on MAGA priorities as the party faces likely midterm losses.

2. The Trump–Mamdani White House Meeting: The Upside Down

(07:26 – 14:41)

• Expectation vs. Reality: Right-wing media and Trump’s allies primed the public for a “showdown” with Mamdani, portrayed as a “Muslim socialist boogeyman” and “committed Marxist.”
• Surprise Outcome: Trump offered only praise:
  • Quote – Donald Trump [09:25]:
    “I think [Mamdani] is going to surprise some conservative people. Actually, I expect to be helping him, not hurting...I really think he has a chance to do a great job, and I appreciate it.”
• No Concessions: Mamdani did not walk back prior critiques—Trump even brushes off being called a fascist.
• Quote – Trump, unbothered by ‘fascist’ label [10:55]:
  “It’s okay. You just call me a fascist. Cool.”
• Analysis:
  • Trump’s about-face is seen as an olive branch—possibly out of desperation as he faces sinking approval over economic mismanagement (citing multiple polls showing deep voter dissatisfaction).
  • The meeting puts Trump’s allies and media in the awkward position of defending their demonization of Mamdani.

3. Perspectives on Political Authenticity and Transactional Leadership

(14:42 – 24:47)

• Rev. Al Sharpton [14:42]:
  “You have transactional leadership, you have transformative leadership. Two transformative leaders stuck up today. One resigned because of women and other issues ... Mandani stood up. He didn’t give up anything…Trump gave up everything.”
• Molly Jong-Fast on Mamdani’s Appeal [16:20]:
  “He’s got a sort of Kennedy…old school Kennedys, that kind of appeal…he’s a uniquely talented politician.”
• Trump Seen as Transactional:
  • Both Sharpton and Jong-Fast emphasize that Trump goes wherever advantageous—driven by polls, not principles.
  • Trump distances himself from hardline MAGA stances (even disavowing Stefanik’s “jihadist” attacks on Mamdani).
• MTG’s authenticity:
  • Despite past opportunism, her advocacy for Epstein survivors is seen as sincere, marking a break from the Republican establishment over principle.

4. Unity, Strategy, and the Future of the GOP

(20:11 – 24:47)

• Is MTG setting up a larger role?
  • Sharpton surmises she could lead or open space for “legitimately conservative, legitimately Republican” candidates alienated by Trump’s stance on Epstein files.
• Dividing Lines:
  • Trump’s willingness to ‘throw MAGA allies under the bus’ is noted, hinting at further fractures.
• Mamdani’s Pragmatism:
  • Despite deep policy differences, Mamdani keeps popular NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, signaling pragmatism.
  • Both Jong-Fast and Sharpton agree Mamdani’s communication skills and willingness to find common ground are winning broader acceptance.

5. Economic Populism and the Double Standard on Socialism

(35:54 – 39:18)

• Irony of “Socialist” Label:
  • Psaki points out that while right-wing media warns Mamdani will “wreck capitalism” via ideas like city-run grocery stores, Trump is taking steps rife with government control:
    • US government stakes in Intel, rare earth mining, and foreign steel corporations under Trump, i.e., partial “nationalization.”
    • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s family benefits from federal AI subsidies.
• Quote – Psaki [35:54]:
  “While the right wing press is up in arms about Mamdani’s idea to have city run grocery stores ... Trump is actually forcing private American companies to bend to the government’s control.”
• Corruption vs. Policy:
  • Trump’s actions are characterized as veering toward oligarchy: using government contracts and subsidies to enrich associates and himself.
  • The MAGA media’s fixation on “socialism” serves to distract from this growing oligarchy.

6. Dealing with Authoritarians: Mamdani’s Strategy and Trump’s Motivations

(39:19 – 44:08)

• Pragmatism Required:
  • Guest Ruth Ben-Ghiat (NYU historian) says Mamdani was wise to meet Trump—he can’t improve city life with the President as a sworn enemy.
  • She notes Trump seems to respect victorious political figures, regardless of ideology—his respect for Mamdani is transactional and pragmatic.
  • Trump may see even being called a “fascist” as a compliment or irrelevant if it helps him politically.
• Quote – Ben-Ghiat [40:43]:
  “It’s not out of the realm of possibility that President Trump would consider being called fascist a compliment.”
• On Oligarchy:
  • Ben-Ghiat and Psaki agree that Trump’s administration is shaping into an explicit oligarchy—where national and foreign policy serve only “the enrichment and power-consolidation” of those at the top.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s defiant parting shot at Trump [01:30]:
  “I love my family way too much and I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President that we all fought for...I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.”

• Jen Psaki, on Trump’s reversal with Mamdani [09:41]:
  “We didn’t make that up. That wasn’t some kind of weird edit—the entire time, nothing but praise.”

• On Trump’s handling of ‘fascist’ label [10:58]:
  “Yeah, it’s okay. You just call me a fascist. Cool.” (paraphrased Trump, via Ms. Now)

• Rev. Sharpton on leadership [14:42]:
  “Mandani stood up. He didn’t give up anything. Let’s remember now, Mandani never conceded anything in his meeting with Trump...and Trump gave up everything.”

• Psaki on ‘real socialism’ in the White House [35:54]:
  “While the right wing press is up in arms about Mamdani’s idea to have city-run grocery stores…Trump is actually forcing private American companies to bend to the government’s control.”

• Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Mamdani-Trump interaction [40:43]:
  “President Trump would consider being called fascist a compliment.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:55 – 07:25 Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation and motives
• 07:26 – 14:41 The Trump–Mamdani White House meeting and fallout
• 14:42 – 24:47 Analyzing authenticity and leadership—Trump, Mamdani, and Greene
• 35:54 – 39:18 Trump’s “actual socialism,” government control, and oligarchic drift
• 39:19 – 44:08 Historians and guests: Why Mamdani played nice, Trump’s transactionalism, and the risks of America’s oligarchy

Flow and Tone

Throughout, Psaki’s tone is sharp, skeptical, and witty, with a sense of bemusement at the week’s political reversals. Guests provide a mixture of measured insight (Hilliard), fiery analysis (Sharpton), and wry commentary (Jong-Fast). The episode is brisk and layered, offering both a blow-by-blow recounting and broader context on the GOP’s upheaval, the meaning of leadership, and the deepening critique of Trumpist politics and governance.

In sum:
This episode captures a political week where old allegiances shattered, right-wing narratives unraveled, and the supposed lines between “populism” and self-dealing oligarchy were laid bare, with Trump’s embrace of Mamdani leaving even his staunchest allies scrambling for new footing.