Trump’s surprising winter look sparks jokes that he’s channelling Zohran Mamdani

For now, the question of whether Trump was inspired by Mamdani or merely embracing seasonal attire continues to fuel the internet, proving once more that in modern politics, even scarves can be headlines.

US President Donald Trump stepped out in a new winter getup, a maroon scarf wrapped around a black overcoat, and the internet immediately took notice. It went viral after users compared the look to the signature fashion of Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old incoming mayor of New York City. Trump's unexpected wardrobe choice came just one day after the two met at the White House, where they discussed housing and crime in an unusually friendly meeting.

Users on X were quick to note the similarity. Some shared images of Mamdani in his burgundy sweater and blazer and claimed, without a doubt, that Trump had borrowed from how he was dressed. “It’s called ‘the Mamdani,” joked one user, while another said Trump looked like he stepped onto Broadway after the meeting.

The look also brought out playful jabs. Some said it looked similar to characters such as Emperor Palpatine or Don Corleone. Others said Trump was going full "Zohran cosplay," amusingly tracking how fast he changed his wardrobe after their press conference.

Fashion commentary wasn't reserved for jokes. Some users theorized that this might be an actual style pivot for Trump-perhaps even the beginning of what one post termed "a new fashion era." Not everyone, however, is buying the theory that it's entirely intentional. According to reports, a doctored image of Mamdani in a similar outfit made its way online to extend the meme.

Regardless of intent, the outfit has become another flash point in the surprising political interaction between Trump and Mamdani. Their Oval Office meeting was noted for its unexpected warmth, with Trump praising Mamdani and pledging to help him with New York’s affordability crisis. The scarf, on the other hand, seems to have sparked its own brand of political theatre, raising eyebrows and suspicions aplenty.

This has also opened the door to deeper cultural commentary, where a number of observers have noted how political figures increasingly become part of online fashion cycles-either by design or by happenstance. Trump's winter look is just one example of how fast a single appearance can morph into a viral meme, a style discussion, and even a symbolic exchange between two political personalities of sharply contrasting ideologies. For now, the question of whether Trump was inspired by Mamdani or merely embracing seasonal attire continues to fuel the internet, proving once more that in modern politics, even scarves can be headlines.