As World Leaders Arrive, Trump Meets New York Mayor Mamdani

President Donald Trump began his New York trip on Monday with an hourlong meeting at Gracie Mansion with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, combining discussions on city issues with a nostalgic look back at his previous visits to the official residence of New York’s mayors.

Appearing alongside Mamdani after the meeting, Trump recalled past mayors he had encountered at the Manhattan mansion, describing some as “great ones and some not so great ones.”

“Hopefully you’re going to be a great one,” Trump told Mamdani, patting him on the back. “And you’re off to a start.”

The meeting marked another cordial encounter between the Republican president and the democratic socialist mayor, who have significant political differences but have sought areas of common ground on issues affecting New York.

With world leaders arriving in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Trump and Mamdani stood together on the lawn of the custard-yellow mansion.

“I have a lot of meetings right now, very important meetings with heads of different countries, but this is like a little bit of old home week for me,” Trump said, recalling his previous visits to Gracie Mansion.

Trump and Mamdani said they discussed a potential housing project in Queens and ways to make New York more affordable for working-class residents.

The two leaders have met at least twice previously and have maintained contact despite their differences. Their first major meeting came in the Oval Office shortly after Mamdani’s election victory last year, following months of public disagreements. The discussion focused on ways to address issues facing their shared hometown.

In February, Mamdani travelled to Washington again and presented Trump with a mock New York Daily News front page reading “Trump to City: Let’s Build” as he promoted new housing investments in New York.

Trump, Mamdani Address Media Disagreements

During Monday’s appearance, Mamdani was asked about Trump’s decision to restrict access for certain news organisations at the White House. Mamdani said it was important for those networks, along with others, to be present for the Gracie Mansion event.

Trump defended his restrictions, accusing the affected news organisations of biased coverage.

“It’s interesting because they said they were gonna boycott me. But they never boycott me,” Trump said, adding that he believed news outlets had “an obligation to be fair.”

Trump’s previous visits to Gracie Mansion included attending the 2003 wedding of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and a 2007 book party for former Democratic US Representative Charles Rangel.

After Trump departed, Mamdani returned to the lawn to answer additional questions. He acknowledged that he and the president have significant political disagreements but said they would continue communicating.

“I will continue to have conversations with the president, and frankly, anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani said.