Trump get along great with DeSantis: a 10 — maybe 9.9; Trump on Mamdani: communist lot of fun

Trump’s day at Alligator Alcatraz included a public rating of his relationship with Governor Ron DeSantis — “a 10, maybe 9.9” — that signaled the functional repair of what had been the most prominent Republican-primary rivalry of the 2024 cycle. Trump also addressed Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral primary victory with characteristic bluntness: “He’s a communist. The last thing we need is a communist.” He described the Iran operation using the word the administration has been fighting to secure — “obliteration can now be used because the atomic energy commission said you can’t even get into the place.” He previewed his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu covering Iran and Gaza. And he closed with an aside about alligators “actually being crocodiles from Africa” — a joke that might have been a throwaway if Trump hadn’t decided he liked the comparison.

”A 10, Maybe 9.9”

A reporter asked about the Trump-DeSantis relationship. “How would you describe the relationship and what future does Governor Sands attack?”

Trump’s response. “I think it’s a 10. Maybe 9-9. I think we have a 10. We get a long grade.”

The numerical rating is the kind of specific Trump framing that captures political dynamics efficiently. “A 10” is the maximum. “Maybe 9.9” is the self-correction that acknowledges not quite perfect. The combination communicates that the relationship is strong but not without minor tensions.

Given the 2024 primary history — DeSantis entering the race as Trump’s main rival, Trump attacking DeSantis relentlessly, DeSantis eventually withdrawing and endorsing Trump — a 10 rating is remarkable. Former rivals who work together at this level have achieved reconciliation that most political relationships could not produce.

The Facility Context

Trump used the opportunity to address facility conditions. “I think our viewers at home should know that this is air conditioned facility so if any of the news claims are keeping them out in the hot humid South Florida that is wrong it’s probably 62 degrees here.”

The comment responds to anticipated criticism. Critics of the facility have characterized it as harsh, inadequate, or unsuitable for human detention. Trump is making clear that the facility is climate-controlled at 62 degrees — cool, even cold, despite the South Florida environment.

The air conditioning detail is specific because critics had been preparing arguments about the facility exposing detainees to extreme heat. Trump is preempting those arguments by noting that the facility’s interior is, if anything, overcooled.

”Biden Wanted Me In Here”

Trump then offered a characteristically blunt aside. “Hey Biden wanted me in here. He wanted me. It didn’t work out that way but he wanted me in here.”

The comment references the various criminal proceedings that had been initiated against Trump during the Biden administration. Trump is making the joke that Biden had wanted Trump detained — and now Trump is visiting a detention facility in a very different capacity. The juxtaposition captures the political reversal that Trump’s return to the presidency represents.

“It didn’t work out that way” is the understatement. Not only did the prosecutions not produce the outcome Biden-era actors had apparently wanted, but Trump is now presiding over an administration that is detaining others rather than being detained himself.

The Facility’s Achievement

Trump credited the construction. “Hello everybody. The trip was nice and the job they’ve done is fantastic. And this is what you need and Ron worked beautifully with Christie and all of the people at Homeland Security. He got it done a hundred days. Eight days all a new facility with nothing wrong.”

The timeline is striking. “A hundred days” for the planning phase. “Eight days” for the physical construction. A fully operational new detention facility built in eight days of construction is an unusual timeline by federal facility standards. Most federal construction projects take years. The specific circumstances — repurposing an existing facility rather than building from scratch — made the compressed timeline possible.

DeSantis (“Ron”), Kristi Noem (“Christie”), and the DHS team are credited specifically. The cooperation between Florida state government and federal Homeland Security, at a level of practical execution, is what produced the rapid construction.

”He’s A Communist”

Trump then pivoted to Zohran Mamdani. “He’s terrible. He’s a communist. The last thing we need is a communist. I said there will never be socialism in the United States. So he’s a communist.”

“Communist” is Trump’s preferred characterization of Mamdani. The specific policy positions — defunding police, government price controls, taxpayer-funded drug sites, abolishing jails — support a characterization at the far-left edge of American politics. Whether the specific term “communist” is accurate depends on definitional precision. Mamdani does not formally identify as a communist; he identifies as a democratic socialist. But the substantive policy differences between “communist” and “democratic socialist” are matters of definitional preference for most voters.

“There will never be socialism in the United States” is Trump’s categorical position. The claim is ambitious. The country has, at various points, implemented policies that critics have characterized as socialist — Medicare, Social Security, federal education funding, various subsidies. But Trump’s framework treats those as different from the explicit socialism of the Mamdani platform.

”A Lot Of Fun With Him”

Trump’s anticipation of the forthcoming political dynamic. “I think he’s bad to us and I think I’m going to have a lot of fun with him watching him because he has to come right through this building to get his money and don’t worry he’s not going to run away with anything.”

“This building” references the White House — New York City’s mayor must work with the federal government on various matters, particularly federal funding that flows to New York. If Mamdani wins the general election, he will find himself needing federal cooperation on multiple issues — law enforcement, disaster response, transportation infrastructure, immigration enforcement in reverse.

“A lot of fun with him” captures Trump’s relish. The prospect of a socialist New York mayor requiring federal funding that the administration can condition on Mamdani’s policy choices is, to Trump, a political opportunity rather than a threat.

”He’s Not Going To Run Away With Anything”

The specific framing is important. “He’s not going to run away with anything” means the administration will not simply hand over federal funds without conditions. Mamdani’s New York will not receive federal support independent of its cooperation with federal priorities. If Mamdani wants federal dollars, Mamdani will have to meet federal conditions.

That leverage is the specific practical consequence. Sanctuary policies, law enforcement cooperation, immigration enforcement support — each can be tied to specific federal funding streams. Mamdani’s ability to pursue his preferred policies will be constrained by the federal funding leverage the administration can exercise.

”A Total Nut Job”

Trump’s characterization of Mamdani was harsh. “Frankly I’ve heard he’s a total nut job. I think the people in New York are crazy. If they go this route I think they’re crazy.”

“Total nut job” is characteristic Trump vocabulary. The intensity is typical of Trump’s opposition characterization. Whether Mamdani deserves the label or whether specific New Yorkers who vote for him deserve the “crazy” characterization is a political argument. The intensity of the framing signals to the administration’s coalition how strongly it should oppose the Mamdani candidacy.

”Pure True Communist”

Trump’s specific characterization. “For the first time really a pure true communist. He wants to operate the grocery stores, the department stores. What about the people that are there?”

The reference to Mamdani’s position on government-operated grocery stores is specific. Mamdani has, at various points, discussed municipal grocery stores as part of his agenda to address food desert issues. The administration characterizes this as government operation of retail commerce — communist in framework, regardless of Mamdani’s preferred self-description.

The rhetorical question — “What about the people that are there?” — references private grocery store owners, workers, and investors whose businesses would be affected by municipal competition. The administration is framing Mamdani’s proposal as a threat to private commerce.

The Netanyahu Meeting

Trump then previewed his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu. “We hope it’s going to happen and we’re looking forward to having it sometime next week. We want to get our house to do that. We want to get the house to do that.”

“Sometime next week” is the scheduling. Trump and Netanyahu have maintained regular communication throughout the Iran crisis. The upcoming in-person meeting will address the continuing implementation of the Iran ceasefire and the ongoing Gaza situation.

”Incredible Success In Iran”

Trump offered his characterization of the operation. “Well he’s coming here. We’re going to talk about a lot of things. We’re going to talk about the great success we had. I mean we had an incredible success in Iran. We had an incredible success. Like really nobody’s had in many many years.”

“Incredible success” is Trump’s continued characterization. The repetition — “incredible success” stated three times — reflects the importance the administration places on the Iran outcome. Military operations of this consequence are rare. Successful operations of this consequence are rarer.

”Obliteration Can Now Be Used”

Trump then delivered a specific vindication. “That was a precision war strike and the word obliteration can now be used because the atomic energy commission said you can’t even get into the place. It was it was demolished. It was really demolished.”

The “atomic energy commission” reference is to the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission, which had issued the letter characterizing Fordow as “totally inoperable.” That external validation is what Trump is invoking. The “obliteration” characterization is not just American administrative framing — it is endorsed by the Israeli government’s own nuclear assessment body.

“Can now be used” is the vindication framing. Earlier in the week, CNN and other outlets had questioned whether “obliteration” was accurate. With the Israeli letter and subsequent damage assessment, Trump is claiming the word has been validated.

”It’s A Great Brilliant Strike”

Trump characterized the operational achievement. “It’s a great brilliant strike how to get to go forward. We’re also going to talk about Gaza. We want to get the rest. We got a lot of hostages back but we’re going to talk about Gaza.”

The Netanyahu meeting will cover both Iran (consolidating the post-strike settlement) and Gaza (the ongoing hostage and ceasefire situation). Both are ongoing regional challenges that require continuing American engagement.

“We got a lot of hostages back” is the accomplishment on the Gaza track. Various hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack have been returned through various processes. But hostages remain, and their return is part of what the Netanyahu meeting will address.

The Alligators-As-Crocodiles Joke

Trump closed with a characteristic aside. “It was a great country for you sir. I was thinking about that. It was a joke but anymore it’s over. And they were serious. They were actually a fucking ass. They were a fucking ass from Africa. They are a step behind. No that was really meant as a joke but a lot of people like it. That is a really good decision to make. Yab guys.”

The transcription is garbled in places, but the substance is clear. Trump had apparently made a joke about alligators being “crocodiles from Africa” — distinguishing the Everglades alligators from crocodiles by geographic origin. The joke got traction. Trump is acknowledging that what started as a throwaway line became something the administration decided to keep using.

“Meant as a joke but a lot of people like it” is the self-aware recognition. Trump is not always the most careful speaker, but he does pay attention to what resonates. When a specific line gets amplified by supporters, he is willing to keep using it even if it started as unintended humor.

Why The Alligator Alcatraz Visit Matters

The day captures the administration’s operating rhythm. A single visit accomplished multiple political objectives.

First, it demonstrated the Trump-DeSantis working relationship. The 2024 primary tensions are genuinely behind them. Both men can cooperate on shared priorities.

Second, it showcased the operational capability the administration has built. A new detention facility opened in 100 days of planning and 8 days of construction signals that the enforcement operation is not theater.

Third, it allowed Trump to attack Mamdani directly. Trump’s characterization of Mamdani as “a communist” and “a nut job” sets the tone for the November general election. Voters processing Mamdani’s candidacy receive those characterizations alongside Mamdani’s specific policy proposals.

Fourth, it provided the vindication framing for Iran. The Israeli Atomic Energy Commission letter’s endorsement of “obliteration” is now part of the official record.

Fifth, it teed up the Netanyahu meeting. The upcoming bilateral meeting on Iran and Gaza will happen in a context where Trump has publicly demonstrated his commitment to the relationship and to the regional outcomes the meeting will address.

Key Takeaways

• Trump on DeSantis: “It’s a 10, maybe 9.9. We get along great.”
• Trump on Biden: “Biden wanted me in here. He wanted me. It didn’t work out that way.”
• Trump on Mamdani: “He’s terrible. He’s a communist. The last thing we need is a communist…I’ve heard he’s a total nut job.”
• Trump on Iran: “The word obliteration can now be used because the atomic energy commission said you can’t even get into the place.”
• Trump’s next step: “We want to get our hostages back” — Netanyahu meeting next week covering Iran and Gaza.