In Mamdani meeting, Trump demonstrates “art of the deal”
President Donald Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani love New York City. That’s one takeaway from the “love fest” held in the Oval Office last week. The other is that Trump exhibited the “art of the deal,” which is the title of a book he wrote years ago about how he achieved enormous success in business and entertainment. And, we can add, politics.
Requested by Mamdani, the White House meeting was widely anticipated and news media streamed to Washington from around the world expecting to see a high noon-style showdown between the “fascist” and the “little commie.” (Descriptions provided by the principals, of course.)
When it was over, the Trump haters and the lefty media outlets were shocked, the awe came later, and the success of the meeting surely was in the eye of the beholder. Some Trump fans thought he was too friendly to the self-described socialist who promised affordability in unaffordable New York, along with plenty of free stuff, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the rich.
What we heard in that meeting was a pair of New Yorkers agreeing to work together for the good of the city they profess to love, and a commitment from the president to help make NYC more affordable and safer, and blah, blah, blah. And a smiley Mamdani skirted around some campaign comments about changes in the New York Police Department, possibly boosting it, not with more cops, but with social workers, and about threatening to arrest Trump if he denies the Mamdani administration federal funds, as the president has hinted at doing.
But after the private-public meeting at the White House, two best buds emerged! Or so it seemed to eyewitnesses to the absence of snide remarks, eye-rolling, or disagreement. Noteworthy was Trump’s deflection when a reporter asked Mamdani if he still thought Trump was a “fascist.” It would have been an embarrassing moment, at least, but Trump brushed off the question with a smile and a pat on Mamdani’s arm.
What’s going on? I thought. Then it came to me — The Art of the Deal! The 1987 Donald Trump book outlined his strategy, philosophy, and tactics. It explained all we need to know about the president. And if all friends and foes still are trying to figure out what happened in the Oval Office, or who came out on top, just read the Trump playbook.
There are many strategies Trump used to achieve business success outline in The Art of the Deal. Number One is making a friend of your enemy. Also, think big and aim high. Maintain multiple options in negotiating, use leverage and gain a psychological advantage over the other party. Furthermore, Trump’s personal preference is instinct over market research and academic credentials – a gut feeling. It was later reported that Trump did not listen to those who advised against the Mamdani meeting (at this time).
Ultimately the meeting was deemed a success, albeit without a clear “winner.” Both men said their working together will be a win-win for New York and its residents.
But something political happened away from the cameras. When Trump got Mamdani in his orbit, it likely widened the rift between old guard New York Democrats like Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and the rising far-left wing of the party. Immediately, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and fellow socialist Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were on the Mamdani bandwagon and he is being viewed as a new leader in the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, AOC is considering a Senate run against Schumer. What could be worse?
Trump has affected the dysfunctional Democratic Party, neutralized Mamdani, and put on a good show in the White House. This deserves watching and The Art of the Deal is worth reading, especially if your name is Mamdani.
Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
