The Weirdness of US Politics
Mamdani visits the WH; MTG resigns.
Let’s talk about two stories from yesterday. First, via CNBC: Trump praises NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani after White House meeting, shrugs off being called ‘fascist’.
At one point, when Mamdani was asked for the second time about having called Trump a “fascist,” the president gave him cover.
“That’s OK, you can just say yes,” Trump said after Mamdani began to respond. “It’s easier than explaining it.”
Trump also appeared to backtrack on his prior threat to withhold federal funding for New York City if Mamdani became its mayor.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Trump said.
Instead of rehashing their feud, they talked up their areas of agreement on broad issues, especially focusing on lowering the cost of living.
To be honest, at least a part of me expected Mamdani to get the Zelenskyy treatment, but mostly expected it to be a chilly, perfunctory photo op. I was surprised by the degree to which Trump tried to turn on the charm and backed away from the threats. It seems to indicate that he is taking both the electoral message from earlier this month and his poll numbers seriously (at least to a degree).
I draw some level of optimism from Trump’s behavior, although I would caution any over-reading of the event. Still, when I think back to the possible futures I outlined in an earlier post, this is the kind of behavior (along with things like the incompetence with which he is attacking his enemies) that makes me think that Trump’s interest/capacity to truly consolidate an authoriatian regime, as opposed to simply governing as one as much as he can, is limited. I continue to take solace from the lack of interference in the elections this year. None of these observations should be taken as a lack of concern about how he governs and the real, long-term damage he is doing. Rather, his specific actions are data points to be used to assess where we are with signs as to where we are going (see that earlier post for specifics in terms of the options).
I will note a few things about these photos. First, if you have paid any attention to Mamdani’s campaign and his ubiquitous broad smile, you will note how subdued he is below. I am sure that it is all quite deliberate. I would note, too, that he wanted to be photographed under the FDR portrait, clearly also deliberate, as is the lack of a “thumbs up” in the one photo.
Meanwhile, on the same day, we get the following news via the AP: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, former Trump loyalist, says she is resigning from Congress.
I would note that her retirement date is timed to her vestment in the Congressional retirement system.
In terms of replacement, here are the details.
The opening in her district means Republican Gov. Brian Kemp will have to set a special election date within 10 days of Greene’s resignation. Such a special election would fill out the remainder of Greene’s term through January 2027. Those elections could take place before the party primaries in May for the next two-year term.
It is, I would note, a deep red district.
Trump responded with his typical grace and aplomb.
I will note that this demonstrates that Trump is more obsessed with loyalty to himself than to smart politics. MTG had been a key ally, and despite the fact that Trump changed his mind on the very topic for which Greene engaged in treasonous behavior from Trump’s POV (i.e., release of the Epstein files), he continues to attack her.
MTG has been a decidedly negative influence on our national politics, so I am not all sorry to see her leave a position of power, even if she has been more sympathetic of late on things like giving lip service to ACA subsidies and crusading for the release of the Epstein files.
I suspect that we haven’t heard the last from her, although the road forward is probably in some kind of mass media, rather than politics, but we shall see.
Still, and setting aside broader analysis, I did not have “Trump Tries to Charm Mamdani” and “MTG Resigns from Congress” on my Friday Bingo card.
Weirdly, I feel to some extent sorry for MTG.
It now appears she actually was a true believer, lacking the shameless cynicism and hypocrisy of someone like Mike Johnson.
Just a profoundly ignorant and intellectually lazy person who got sucked up into weird right-wing conspiracy shit. Nonetheless, also someone not entirely without principles.
Let’s see if it lasts.
@drj: You are the second person in as many days to express some degree of sympathy for MTG. I see the enticement, but I am waiting to see what comes next before I extend too much sympathy.
OMG! It’s actually eating my face!
@Steven L. Taylor:
She did a lot of harm and a belated conversion (even if it arrives) won’t undo that.
But it seems that her world collapsed to some extent. And she may have realized that she got played. That she actually sided with the pedophiles instead of fighting them.
That must have sucked – even for someone as deeply unsympathetic as she.
I’m not saying that she ought to be given some sort of redemption for – at long last – grasping the bleeding obvious.
@drj: All fair.
@Kathy: Indeed.
I’m assuming MTG’s decision to retire preceded her more reasonable turn rather than the other way around.
@Steven L. Taylor: “You are the second person in as many days to express some degree of sympathy for MTG”
I was feeling a little charitable towards her until you pointed out that she timed her resignation to the date she vested in the retirement plan.
Trump did not change his mind, he was defeated, and is desperately trying to pretend otherwise to maintain the air of inevitability that his style of authoritarianism cult of personality requires.
MTG was instrumental in what may become a massive shift in Trump’s ability to control his Republicans. He got one vote, and even that guy wasn’t following orders.
I wish she wasn’t retiring, as showing that you can defy Trump and stick around would do more to hurt his perceived inevitability. And it’s not like the district isn’t going to elect a standard issue MAGA.
The WH appearance is simply TACO. As soon as the new mayor of NYC speaks the truth to Trump’s power again and he is far enough away that Trump needn’t worry about being challenged to his face, Mamdani will get his own traitor bleat from The Donald on Truth Social. I’d give it less than a week.
@wr: if you earn a benefit at work, you should make sure you get it. This view might be colored by working in tech where everyone is timing their exit around stock vesting.
But, generally, people should get what they can from their employer. Even terrible people.
I may not think congresscritters should be able to get such a robust retirement package, when no one else in America gets anything like it, but that’s kind of secondary.
And if it’s enough money that she enjoys a quiet retirement and we never hear from her again… it would be a bargain.
@Scott F.:
By the same token, as soon as MTG takes her seat on a Fox News panel and sings Trump’s praises, she will be fulsomely lauded by Trump in a late night post.
Deep down, Trump still thinks of himself as a New York City guy. Mamdani strikes me as bright enough to recognize that, say a few flattering things about Trump’s properties, and ask for advice whether he intends to follow it or not.
Trump holds significant property in NYC still. Which means the city government, run now by Mamdani, can make his life miserable or not. This is how Trump operates, and he assumes everyone else does, too.
So of course he’s going to suck up to Mamdani. Mamdani has power.
Those pics are quite the something.
Mamdani projecting gravitas, Trump with a goofy grin.
Mamdani standing over Trump at the desk –> very strong “take your child to work day” vibe.
Mamdani centered in the FDR pic, Trump as the side-show.
Trump flashing a thumbs up with a bemused Mamdani –> looks like a celebrity tolerating a fanboy for a selfie.
For someone as media/image obsessed as Trump, these are noteworthy… if not at all important.
I don’t doubt that her vestment date had something to do with her chosen retirement date. There’s something to be said for more income and great benefits… even though she has an estimated net worth of $25 million from her share of the family business, book royalties, etc.
Lindsey Graham, by contrast, has an estimated net worth of ‘only’ $2 million despite being a 70-year-old 4-term senator, which maybe helps explain his self-righteous, fact challenged, red-faced speech on the Senate floor this week, when he tried to justify a lawsuit against the *government that could award him $ millions.
*He said he’s suing the Biden administration—whatever that means.
When trump gave Mamdani cover on the question about having called him a fascist, I don’t think trump was just extending his guest a courtesy. More likely, trump didn’t want to hear Mamdani articulate, however politely and respectfully, trump’s and the administration’s fascist characteristics.