Trump and Mamdani show friendly rapport after Gracie Mansion meeting

US President Donald Trump offered an unexpectedly warm assessment of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday, saying he hopes the democratic socialist will be a 'great mayor' for the city. The remark stood in contrast to months of Trump and his Republican allies holding Mamdani up as a symbol of what they call the Democratic party's embrace of 'communism' ahead of November's midterm elections.

The meeting took place behind closed doors at Gracie Mansion, marking the first presidential visit to the historic residence in 45 years, since Ronald Reagan met there with Ed Koch in 1981. At the news conference that followed, the two men appeared friendly, with Trump giving Mamdani an affectionate tap on the arm afterward.

Mamdani described the discussion as 'wide-ranging,' touching on affordable housing and immigration, though he did not detail specific disagreements. Asked whether he raised concerns about Trump's decision to bar CNN, MS Now and Politico from White House grounds, Mamdani said he believes all members of the press should have access to events he hosts.

Mamdani said he had invited Trump because he is willing to work with anyone who can 'deliver' for New Yorkers, pointing to their shared interest in building thousands of new housing units at Sunnyside Yard in Queens. Trump, for his part, said he believed Mamdani had 'great potential.'

The meeting came a day after Mamdani and Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada met with migrant delivery workers in New York who described fear over increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. Mamdani also said he discussed with Trump the administration's decision to strip protections from Haitian immigrants, emphasizing their importance to the city's economy. He noted that he and the president continue to have many frank disagreements.