The political world was taken aback on Friday by an unexpectedly cordial meeting between former President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office. The encounter, which quickly became a major topic on social media, was so friendly that it inspired a Fox News host to troll Vice President JD Vance about his standing with the former president.
A Surprising Display of Camaraderie
During the meeting, Trump appeared to set aside his previous harsh criticisms of Mamdani, whom he had once labeled a "100% Communist Lunatic." In a striking turn, the former president even told the mayor-elect that it was acceptable for him to use the term "fascist" to describe him. Trump also directly addressed accusations from New York Republican Elise Stefanik, who has called Mamdani "a jihadist." The former president dismissed this characterization, stating he did not agree with the assessment, while noting that people sometimes say things while campaigning.
Fox News Host Fuels VP Speculation
The warm interaction did not go unnoticed by commentators. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade reacted to the footage by suggesting that Vice President JD Vance might be feeling jealous. "I think JD Vance is jealous," Kilmeade said on air. "I think the president wants to use [Mamdani] as a running mate. They got along fantastic." While the comment was likely made in jest, it highlighted the unusual nature of the meeting. It is important to note, however, that Trump is not eligible to run for a third term, making a vice-presidential swap a theoretical scenario.
Reactions and Fallout on Social Media
Vance himself addressed the meeting on social media, though he made no mention of any perceived slight. Instead, he praised the encounter, writing, "POTUS has a lot of good moments, but this is an all-timer." The event, however, sparked a wave of reactions online. Many users pointed out the stark contrast between the friendly meeting and the previous negative rhetoric from Trump's allies directed at Mamdani. One user noted the irony of Fox News hosts now praising a figure they had previously criticized, while others created memes depicting a supposedly jealous Vance watching the interaction from the sidelines. The incident served as a vivid illustration of the unpredictable and often theatrical nature of modern political alliances.
