Donald Trump, a figure synonymous with the MAGA movement’s direction, has stunned his base by warmly embracing incoming NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, previously painted as a socialist threat by numerous Republicans. This unexpected shift coincided with the abrupt resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a staunch MAGA advocate, further stirring the political pot.

In a whirlwind of events late last week, Trump branded Greene as “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown” following her resignation announcement, signaling a stark departure from his usual allies. Concurrently, his amicable meeting with Mamdani, which was anticipated as a fierce ideological clash, ended in mutual respect and admiration. Trump’s description of Mamdani as "a very rational person" has left some supporters bewildered and disillusioned.

The reaction from MAGA’s hardliners was swift and harsh. Laura Loomer, a prominent voice within the movement, expressed confusion and frustration over Trump’s new stance, questioning the implications for the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, Trump’s former pick for United Nations ambassador, Elise Stefanik, now running for New York governor, distanced herself from Trump’s comments, continuing to label Mamdani pejoratively despite Trump’s rejection of such terms.

This series of events underscores the unpredictability of Trump’s leadership style, marked more by personal whims than ideological consistency. The week also witnessed legislative challenges to Trump’s influence, with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) pushing forward the Epstein Files Transparency Act, further testing the cohesion of Trump’s congressional support.

Democrats, especially those close to Mamdani, have hailed the meeting as a success, interpreting it as a sign of Trump’s respect for strength and effective leadership. Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson humorously noted the impact on Republican campaign strategies, suggesting that Trump’s comments might have undermined efforts to villainize Mamdani in upcoming elections.

The White House, however, dismissed concerns about internal discord or shifts in Trump’s political maneuvering. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson emphasized Trump’s consistent "America First" agenda, framing his willingness to engage with Mamdani as a bipartisan effort rather than a political concession.

As MAGA faces a defining moment, the movement’s future seems increasingly contingent on Trump’s capricious tendencies. With key allies like Stefanik openly challenging his decisions, and supporters like Loomer openly questioning his strategy, the path forward for Trump and MAGA remains as unpredictable as ever.

Contributions to this report were made by Andrew Howard, Nick Reisman, and Joe Anuta.