President Donald Trump met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on September 21 at the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion, in Manhattan to discuss several pressing issues facing the city, including affordable housing, immigration enforcement, and recent restrictions on certain media outlets.
This encounter marked their third face-to-face meeting, with the previous two having taken place at the White House earlier in the year. Upon emerging from the meeting, Trump complimented Mamdani and expressed enthusiasm about visiting Gracie Mansion, describing it as one of his “favorite places” and reflecting on its history hosting various mayors. “So hopefully you’re going to be a great one,” Trump said, addressing the newly inaugurated mayor.
Mamdani emphasized the ongoing dialogue with Trump regarding housing affordability, a key concern for many New Yorkers. The mayor reiterated the challenges residents face amid rising costs and expressed appreciation for the discussions aimed at easing the financial burdens on the city’s population. The housing project they have been focusing on involves developing 12,000 residential units at Sunnyside Yards in Queens, with half designated as affordable housing. Mamdani previously presented this proposal to the White House in February, seeking federal grants and approvals to support the initiative.
Trump acknowledged his familiarity with the Sunnyside Yards development plan, noting the long-standing conversation around the site’s potential. “They’ve been talking about developing that for 50 years. So maybe they have a shot at doing it,” he said. Mamdani highlighted his willingness to collaborate across political lines to advance solutions for New York’s housing crisis, stating his openness to work with anyone who possesses the authority and commitment to improve conditions for residents.
Despite a notably different political outlook—Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, while Trump has been critical of left-wing Democrats—both leaders appear to maintain a respectful working relationship. Trump has previously denounced progressive Democrats as “hardcore, godless communists” and described them as a significant threat to the country during his remarks at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month.
In contrast, Mamdani has actively opposed some of Trump’s immigration policies. Alongside mayors nationwide, Mamdani recently joined a lawsuit challenging the administration’s efforts to restrict green card and visa access for lawful immigrants. Nonetheless, Mamdani’s February visit to the White House included a photo op showing a collaborative front, with Trump holding a mock-up New York Daily News front page endorsing the housing plan.
Concluding the meeting, Trump reiterated his desire for positive leadership in New York City, saying, “I want what’s good for New York. I want what’s good for the country.” He expressed hope that Mamdani would succeed in his role, acknowledging the mayor’s potential to make a significant impact.