Donald Trump debuted a new winter look — and the internet immediately claimed he drew inspiration from another politician. But the viral moment actually started because of a doctored photo.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, a clip of the 79-year-old president went viral on X after users noticed he had stepped away from his usual fashion choices. The video sparked instant comparisons to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who had visited Trump at the White House just one day earlier.
A video of Trump wearing a red scarf under a black coat during a Fox News appearance spread quickly after journalist Aaron Rupar posted it with the caption, “Quite a look for Trump today.”
The clip has now racked up more than 16 million views, with thousands of comments pointing out similarities between Trump’s outfit and Mamdani’s past looks.
One viral post used a doctored photo of Mamdani — color-edited to match Trump’s red-and-black color scheme — fueling even more comparisons.
Others chimed in with memes, including The Office scene where Michael Scott copies Ryan Howard’s style. “Trump dressing like Mamdani a day after meeting him,” one user joked, while another added, “His stylists were definitely taking notes.”
Another user argued that Trump’s winter look is actually more similar to Barack Obama’s — sharing a photo of Obama wearing a nearly identical red scarf and black coat during the 2016 National Christmas Tree Lighting.
These fashion comparisons surfaced right after Mamdani’s Nov. 21 visit to the Oval Office. Despite previously tense political rhetoric, the meeting went surprisingly smoothly.
During their joint press conference, both Trump and Mamdani said they discussed major issues like cost of living, crime reduction, and housing — topics they surprisingly found common ground on.
When asked if he’d “feel comfortable” living in New York under a Mamdani administration, Trump replied:
“Yeah, I would. Especially after the meeting. We agree on a lot more than I thought.”