Trump, at Joint Press Conference with Mamdani, Expresses Optimism That Mayor Will Be a ‘Great One’

President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani continued their streak of having warm public events together on Monday as Mr. Mamdani welcomed the president to Gracie Mansion, where they discussed housing and immigration issues. Mr. Trump once again praised Mr. Mamdani, saying he was off to a “start” of maybe being one of the city’s “great” mayors.Messrs. Trump and Mamdani unexpectedly developed a warm relationship shortly after Mr. Mamdani was elected mayor late last year. The two met at the White House after the now-mayor’s victory, where Mr. Trump talked about how he believed the two would get along. Mr. Trump endorsed a former New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, in the 2025 mayoral race over the Republican candidate, saying at the time that the city would lose federal funds if Mr. Mamdani — a democratic socialist — was elected.During their meeting at Gracie Mansion on Monday, the two discussed issues around housing development and temporary protected status for Haitian migrants — something Mr. Trump, with the blessing of the Supreme Court, has terminated. The two men were joined by their respective chiefs of staff — the mayor’s, Elle Bisgaard-Church, and the president’s, Susie Wiles. After the meeting, Mr. Trump again expressed optimism about Mr. Mamdani’s future. “I’ve seen it with numerous different mayors … Some great ones and some not-so-great ones, so hopefully you’re gonna be a great one,” Mr. Trump said warmly. “I’ll be able to say you’re a great one and you’re off to a start.”When asked by reporters about why he wanted Mr. Mamdani to be great despite their political rivalry, Mr. Trump said it was out of love for his hometown. “I want what’s good for New York,” the president said. “If I had a choice of having him be a bad mayor or a horrible mayor — I don’t want that. I want him to be a great mayor, and he’s certainly got potential — got great potential.”Mr. Mamdani said he greatly appreciated Mr. Trump’s “interest” in partnering city and federal agencies in order to expedite housing development. He noted that Mr. Trump has “built quite a lot of housing here in our city.”“We appreciate the president’s commitment to the city,” Mr. Mamdani said. One reporter asked Mr. Mamdani about Mr. Trump’s decision to ban three major news outlets — CNN, MS NOW, and Politico — from the White House. Mr. Mamdani declined to condemn Mr. Trump’s decision, instead saying that he, as mayor, would always allow outlets to cover him. Mr. Mamdani said he made clear to the president before the press conference that all kinds of reporters would be in the audience. “I told the president that we’re gonna have all of the members of the press here on the lawn, and that is something that I believe in,” Mr. Mamdani said. “I’m only doing it because I think the press also has an obligation,” Mr. Trump said after Mr. Mamdani ceded the microphone. “If they’re fake news, I really think I have an obligation” to bar the outlets from the White House, he continued.

Trump, at Joint Press Conference with Mamdani, Expresses Optimism That Mayor Will Be a ‘Great One’

Trump, at Joint Press Conference with Mamdani, Expresses Optimism That Mayor Will Be a ‘Great One’

More from the New York Sun

A Raid on the Presidency

In the Next 43 Days, Nobody Should Underestimate Trump and the GOP

Lula Touts Leftist Record With Mamdani as Polls Show Presidential Election a Toss-Up in Brazil

DOJ, USDA Join Forces at Animal Cruelty Strike Force Roundtable to Boost Federal Prosecutions

Leader of The Second Intifada or Hamas Could Win if Palestinian Elections Go Ahead

Iowa Republicans Begin Sounding Alarm on Iran War as a Senate Race and Two House Seats Fall Into Toss-Up Territory

Trump Grounds Iranian Planes Worldwide After Pulling Back From Attacking Houthis

Policeman Stops Gunman Who Attacked Synagogue on Yom Kippur

More from the New York Sun

A Raid on the Presidency

In the Next 43 Days, Nobody Should Underestimate Trump and the GOP

Lula Touts Leftist Record With Mamdani as Polls Show Presidential Election a Toss-Up in Brazil

DOJ, USDA Join Forces at Animal Cruelty Strike Force Roundtable to Boost Federal Prosecutions

Leader of The Second Intifada or Hamas Could Win if Palestinian Elections Go Ahead

Iowa Republicans Begin Sounding Alarm on Iran War as a Senate Race and Two House Seats Fall Into Toss-Up Territory

Trump Grounds Iranian Planes Worldwide After Pulling Back From Attacking Houthis

Policeman Stops Gunman Who Attacked Synagogue on Yom Kippur