Trump’s New Accessory Gets Chilly Reception
The president has adopted a chic new winter item—but not everyone is keen on it.
With winter coming in fast, President Donald Trump has got himself a plush new burgundy scarf to keep the cold at bay. The new look got a rather frosty reaction online.
Trump appeared in his new neckwear and an oversized black overcoat on the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday while making his way to Marine One. Critics immediately drew comparisons with the evil Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars saga.
Donald Trump shows off his fancy new scarf outside the White House.
ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
“Quite a look for Trump today,” wrote journalist Aaron Rupar in the caption to a clip of the president speaking to journalists.
“Yikes! Today, Donald Trump looks like a cross between Emperor Palpatine and Don Corleone!” wrote political commentator Russell Drew. “Zohran Mamdani really effed him up.”
Social media users react to President Donald Trump’s new scarf.
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He was not the only one to bring up the incoming New York Mayor, whom Trump warmly received in the Oval Office on Friday.
“He meets with Mamdani one time and immediately tries to step his swag up,” wrote journalist Ahmed Baba.
Social media users were quick to attribute the new look to Trump’s Friday meeting with Zohran Mamdani.
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The meeting between the pair at opposite ends of the political spectrum was widely expected to be turbulent, but turned into a surprising “love fest,” with Trump praising Mamdani and refuting major Republican attack lines against him.
Photo Illustration by Eric Faison/The Daily Beast/Getty Images
Trump even went as far as saying it was “OK” for Mamdani to describe him as a “fascist” in answer to a pointed question the Uganda-born politician received about his previous descriptions of the president.
In one image taken during their meeting, the president was seen beaming up at the 34-year-old, sparking chatter about the strange respect Trump seemed to show Mamdani. Could the new scarf be Mamdani’s influence rubbing off?
Trump complimented Mamdani and even shielded him from certain questions when they met on Friday.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Mamdani had been seen wearing a turtleneck sweater and dark gray blazer before Trump was elected.
Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 22, 2025.
John McDonnell/Getty Images
Trump kept the scarf wrapped around his neck on Saturday as he traveled to and from Joint Base Andrews, a military base in Maryland. He was inspecting the base’s two golf courses with golfing legend Jack Nicklaus in hopes of restoring them.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to make clear what outfit Mamdani was seen in during Biden’s presidency.
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