NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani put aside their political differences on Monday as they discussed immigration enforcement, housing and other issues affecting the city.
The meeting marked another public engagement between the two leaders, whose relationship has changed considerably since Trump sharply criticised Mamdani during the New York mayoral campaign.
Trump welcomed Mamdani during a joint appearance following their private meeting at Gracie Mansion, saying he hoped the mayor would perform well in office.
The two held talks for about an hour as Trump visited New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
JUST IN: President Trump says NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has “great potential.”
The president told reporters he wants Mamdani to “be a great mayor” for the benefit of New York City.
Trump and Mamdani have clashed on numerous issues, particularly immigration enforcement, but have… pic.twitter.com/38eZh7cVfA
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 21, 2026
Mamdani said he had raised his concerns over immigration enforcement during the meeting, particularly in relation to the Trump administration’s policies affecting immigrants.
The mayor also discussed a proposed housing development involving around 12,000 homes. The project, which had previously been discussed by the two leaders, could require an estimated $21 billion in federal funding.
Mamdani said he intended to continue working with Trump despite significant differences between them, arguing that cooperation was necessary when it could help address problems facing New Yorkers.
He said the two leaders had different political views and approaches but that he would continue engaging with the president and others capable of delivering assistance to residents of the city.
The meeting also touched on press freedom after several major US television networks declined to provide normal coverage of Trump’s New York visit in response to restrictions imposed by the White House on some media organisations.
Mamdani said he had made clear that journalists with differing views should be allowed to participate in the joint media interaction outside the mayor’s official residence.
Trump, meanwhile, dismissed the suggestion that restrictions on some media outlets were intended to divert attention from criticism of US military operations in Iran.
The meeting represented a notable shift in tone between Trump and Mamdani. Trump had previously used strongly critical language while opposing Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, but the two have held several meetings since Mamdani won the election.
Mamdani, 34, has continued to emphasise cooperation with the federal government on issues involving housing, immigration and public safety while maintaining that substantial policy differences remain between the two administrations.
