The 79-year-old U.S. President sparked an unexpected fashion storm after stepping out in an outfit dramatically unlike his usual look. When Trump addressed reporters before boarding Marine One on November 22, it wasn’t his remarks or policy updates that drew attention—it was his wardrobe. Dressed in a black wool coat and a deep burgundy scarf, he shocked viewers who were accustomed to his longtime uniform of a navy or black suit, white shirt, and bright red tie. Within minutes, social media had erupted, flooded with jokes, theories, and memes.

What fueled the frenzy even more was the rising suspicion that Trump’s new “fashion moment” was inspired by New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. The 34-year-old historic first-term mayor—NYC’s first Muslim, first South Asian, first African-born leader, and first millennial in the role—has quickly become a political and style icon. After Trump met Mamdani at the White House the previous day and offered an unexpectedly warm public comment, speculation intensified.

By the next morning, the internet was convinced the President had adopted Mamdani’s signature coat-and-scarf aesthetic. Users joked about a surge in burgundy-scarf Google searches and labeled the shift the “Mamdani Effect.” Memes circulated rapidly, with side-by-side photos comparing their nearly identical looks and captions teasing, “Who wore it better?” The playful fashion drama added a surprising twist to an already headline-heavy political week.