Trump strikes a cordial tone with Mamdani, says he has got potential to be a ‘great Mayor’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday, September 21, struck a cordial tone after meeting at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence in Manhattan, after arriving in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Trump praised Mamdani as the two discussed New York’s affordability crisis and proposals to build thousands of homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens, and immigration.

The meeting marked the third face-to-face encounter between the two leaders, since Mamdani was elected earlier this year. 

Trump praises Mamdani after talks focused on affordability and housing

Trump, who joined Mamdani on the lawn of Gracie Mansion after their private meeting, said he wanted the mayor to succeed and expressed hope that he would perform well in office. 

“No, I certainly hope he will be a great mayor. You have to understand, I want what's good for New York," adding that Mamdani has “certainly got potential” to be a “great mayor” to the New York city. 

Describing the private meeting, Mamdani said the discussion centered on the cost of living and his willingness to work with the federal government on issues affecting New Yorkers.

He said he would work with officials regardless of political affiliation when they have the authority and willingness to address the financial pressures facing residents. 

“Time and again, I will work with anyone, no matter what party they belong to, no matter how much we may disagree on other topics, whoever has the power and the will to lift that weight off New Yorkers’ backs,” the mayor said.

Trump said the long-discussed development could move forward with federal approvals and funding and indicated that the administration was willing to continue discussions. He said any development should include a “pretty substantial” affordable housing component.

Immigration and press access remain areas of disagreement

Despite the cordial tone, the meeting also covered issues where Trump and Mamdani continue to disagree, particularly immigration.

Mamdani said he raised Temporary Protected Status and discussed the importance of protecting immigrant New Yorkers, including people working in sectors such as health care and hospitality.

“I made very clear this is a priority for me, a priority for our city, and I appreciated the consideration,” Mamdani said.

“I shared my very strong opinions about how we can keep New Yorkers safe, how we can keep immigrant New Yorkers safe.”

Mamdani has previously said he and Trump have maintained an ongoing dialogue on immigration despite disagreements over ICE enforcement, temporary protections and the administration’s changes to public-charge rules.

New York has also joined legal challenges to some of the administration’s immigration policies.

Press access was another point of disagreement during Monday’s appearance. Mamdani said that he had told Trump that members of the press would be welcome at Gracie Mansion regardless of their coverage.

Mamdani was also asked about Trump’s assessment of his potential as mayor and declined to offer his own judgment.

“I’ll leave it to New Yorkers … to make their judgments,” he said.