In this clip from CBS’s The Takeout with Major Garrett, Laurie A. Watkins analyzes how New York City Councilmember Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House to advance major policy wins.
Within his first two months in office, Mamdani has:
- Secured universal childcare
- Ensured $30/hour pay for city workers while maintaining services during a blizzard
- Remained transparent about NYC’s budget challenges
- Advocated for taxing billionaires instead of working families
- Obtained a $21B commitment from Trump for a stalled affordable housing project in Sunnyside Yards, Queens, creating up to 12,000 apartments
- Facilitated the release of an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detainee
Watkins describes Mamdani’s approach as a master class in strategic negotiation, sometimes referred to as “narcissistic fluffing,” where one affirms a narcissist’s ego while achieving tangible outcomes.
Mayor Mamdani’s approval rating has increased from +38 to +48, highlighting the public’s response to leadership that prioritizes working people over corporate interests.