MAMDANI'S VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE

A show for all to see

Photo: Jim Watson

One thing about psychopaths is that they know how to be charming when they want to be.

Such was the case when Bill Maher went to dinner at the White House, later reporting to his audience that “Trump isn’t a crazy man; he just plays one on TV.” No, Bill. Trump isn’t a sane man; he just played one when you came to dinner.

So it was as well when Trump gave one of his best performances yet, fawning all over Zohran Mamdani when he visited the Oval Office on Friday. To Mamdani’s credit, he didn’t read from the “Dear Leader” script by which so many debase themselves these days. But Trump still made a brilliant move. He doesn’t need Mamdani’s loyalty; he needs his shine. While Trump’s popularity is declining, Mamdani’s is rising. That affordability thing is working very, very well, and Trump wants to ride its coattails. He couldn’t care less whether Mamdani is a Socialist, a Communist, a Jew-hater, or whatever other slime he tried to throw against the wall that didn’t stick. Trump is a master at making a deal, and his move on Friday was nothing if not masterful.

Mamdani will hold his own, and I have no doubt he wasn’t fooled by Trump’s charm offensive. The problem, as I see it, is that others might be. One friend wrote, “I think Mamdani in the White House today was the miracle. The little slingshot we’ve been praying for. Trump looked like he was falling in love. Nice to see. Almost sweet. “

Um, no.

I do think Trump might have enjoyed himself at the meeting. He likes winners, he’s made that clear to everyone. And Mamdani is a winner. He’s also someone Trump will have no trouble causing trouble for, if and when it serves him. He’ll play hardball with New York City the way he plays hardball with every other Blue city, whether with ICE raids or by withholding needed funds.

So let’s not kid ourselves. What, they had one charming date? And make no mistake, Trump got what he wanted from this: a possibility that the Left will soften, think Uncle Donnie might not be so bad, perhaps we can even work with him. In point of fact, it proves only this: that Uncle Donnie isn’t dumb. Uncle Donnie can be an excellent performer, because Uncle Donnie doesn’t care what’s true. He only cares about getting what he wants. He will change any position, and flip on any dime, if that’s what it takes to get it.

Trump is a powerful magician. Make no mistake about it. He deals in sleight-of-hand.