'I love an underdog': Trump-Zohran Mamdani voters are at the center of an unexpected relationship

Adalberto Rodriguez wasn’t someone who paid much attention to politics — until President Donald Trump faced a criminal trial in New York City last year

Adalberto Rodriguez wasn’t someone who paid much attention to politics — until President Donald Trump faced a criminal trial in New York City last year.

Rodriguez, a 30-year-old who lives in Brooklyn, felt he saw similarities between his own legal troubles and what he believed was “political lawfare” Trump dealt with in his city. Soon, he was all-in on Trump, attending rallies in the Bronx and Philadelphia and at Madison Square Garden. He proudly voted for Trump in 2024.

This year, Rodriguez became enthralled with another New York City political figure on the rise: Zohran Mamdani, now the mayor-elect.

“I pray for these two guys specifically,” Rodriguez said in an interview. “And that’s pretty much the first time in my life I’ve ever had such a level of excitement towards any politician. It’s funny, because a lot of people think that I’m joking or trolling or trying to stir the pot. I get that all the time. I know it’s going to sound silly, but it actually is the opposite.”

The Oval Office meeting between Mamdani and Trump last month turned heads, with some observers stunned at what a warm reception the right-wing Republican president gave to the democratic socialist mayor-to-be. But in New York City, this wasn’t so surprising to Rodriguez. And he wasn’t alone.