Maidan’s Power Play: A Quick Deal With Trump

Location: Oval Office, Washington, D.C.
Key Figures: Mayor Zohran Mamdani & President Donald Trump

A Quick, High‑stakes Conversation

• Grant Request: $21 billion for 12,000 new homes across New York City.
• Location Highlight: A large deck over a Queens rail yard to house the units.

Personal Pleas Amid Policy Talk

• Student Release: Mamdani urged Trump to free a student from federal detention.
• Case Dismissals: He also asked for dropping cases against four other students, one a Palestinian activist.

Strategic Flattery

• Mamdani showcased two newspaper covers:
• An old headline from 1975 on New York’s debt.
• A fabricated cover claiming Trump delivered over 12,000 homes since 1973.

• Social Media Moment: A photo of Mamdani beside Trump, the president smiling broadly.

The “Trojan Horse” Effect

• Political Gain: Mamdani secures goodwill and a potential funding stream.
• Public Perception: Critics question his alliance with Trump, given his anti‑fascism platform.

Soft Power in Action

• Mamdani maintained a friendly tone, avoiding public confrontations.
• This approach could facilitate the $21 billion grant for affordable housing, but may prompt scrutiny from progressives.

Uncertain Outcome

• Trump’s support remains tentative.
• Mamdani must weigh the benefits against backlash from his base.