Liberals erupted online over President Donald Trump’s new winter accessory, claiming he tried to boost his “swag” after meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Trump sparked the reaction when he walked onto the South Lawn on Saturday wearing a black wool coat and a burgundy scarf. It was a clear shift from his traditional suit and bright tie.
Left-wing journalist Aaron Rupar mocked the look. He posted a photo on X and wrote that it was “quite a look for Trump today.”
Another liberal reporter, Ahmed Baba, piled on. He said Trump met with Mamdani once and immediately tried to “step his swag up.” He referenced Trump’s praise of the socialist mayor-elect a day earlier.
“He meets with Mamdani one time and immediately tries to step his swag up,” Baba said.
Critics quickly compared Trump’s outfit to fictional villains.
Political commentator Russell Drew said the president looked like a mix of Emperor Palpatine and Don Vito Corleone.
Others also pointed to the similarity to Emperor Palpatine, who wears a black cloak and red undershirt in the Star Wars films.
One X user even said Trump was dressed like Ron Burgundy from the comedy Anchorman, according to the Daily Mail.
Some users noticed that Trump’s outfit resembled Mamdani’s usual style.
One wrote that Mamdani “cooked so hard Trump stole his fit.”
Another said Trump spent one afternoon with Mamdani and suddenly tried the “NYC bohemian look.”
Someone else said Trump went from his “wrinkled tent suit with orange face paint” to looking like he was headed to “a poetry reading in the village.” They called it the “Mamdani effect.”
Not all critics were laughing. Some were angry.
One X user said Trump was embarrassing himself by trying to ride Mamdani’s coattails. They claimed Mamdani could see right through it.
Another wrote that Trump gave off “single white female vibes,” comparing his outfit change to an obsessed character from a 1992 thriller.
One man suggested something different. He said Trump only measures himself against men he sees as strong or widespread. He claimed the new outfit showed Trump respects Mamdani.
Trump wore the look while visiting Joint Base Andrews with golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The president later returned to the White House.
The reactions came after Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Mamdani sent shockwaves across the aisle. Trump had previously called for the socialist politician to be arrested or deported. Now, he praised him in front of reporters and told him he might surprise conservatives.
