<p>US President Donald Trump struck a markedly warmer tone with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday(Sep 21), praising the 34-year-old mayor after their third in-person meeting and discussing immigration enforcement, public safety and a proposed $21 billion housing project in Queens.</p><p>Trump and Mamdani met privately for about an hour at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, during the president's visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.</p><p>“Hopefully, you're going to be a great (mayor). I'll be able to say you're going to be a great one, and you're off to a start,” Trump told Mamdani after the meeting.</p><p>The exchange was notable given Trump's earlier attacks on Mamdani. Before Mamdani took office in January, Trump had referred to him as “my little communist” and a “total nut job”. Their subsequent meetings, however, have been notably more cordial.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-russia-sanctions-bill-india-faces-potential-100-us-tariff-over-russian-oil-what-s-next-1789784262315"><strong>Trump signs Russia sanctions law: India faces fresh 100% tariff threat over Russian oil</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Mamdani raises concerns over immigration</strong></h2><p>Immigration was among the issues discussed behind closed doors. Mamdani said he voiced his concerns about the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for some immigrant groups, including Haitians.</p><p>“I shared my very strong opinions about how we can keep New Yorkers safe, how we can keep immigrant New Yorkers safe, and how important immigrant New Yorkers, especially Haitian New Yorkers, are not only to the fabric of our city, but also to our city’s economy,” he said.</p><p>Mamdani acknowledged that the two still have significant political disagreements but said he intended to continue talking with Trump and other officials who could provide assistance to New Yorkers.</p><p>“We've both spoken about very different approaches, very different beliefs, and I will continue to have conversations with the president, and frankly with anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani said.</p><h2><strong>$21 billion Queens housing proposal</strong></h2><p>The meeting also advanced discussions over Mamdani's proposal to build 12,000 homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens.</p><p>The project involves constructing a new neighbourhood above the sprawling rail yard and would require more than $21 billion in federal support, according to Mamdani. Trump and the mayor had previously discussed the proposal during their February meeting in Washington.</p><p>Monday's talks led to an agreement to continue technical discussions over the project, although there was no federal funding commitment from Trump.</p><p>Trump said the proposal could be costly but acknowledged the potential scale of the development.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-tv-pool-halts-trump-coverage-cnn-banned-unga-1790007014153"><strong>White House TV pool halts Trump coverage after CNN barred from UNGA events</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Mamdani welcomes all media</strong></h2><p>The meeting also touched on the dispute between the Trump administration and several US news organisations.</p><p>CNN, Politico and MS NOW have been barred from White House grounds, prompting those outlets and other media organisations to challenge the administration's restrictions. Mamdani said he had told Trump that all journalists would be welcome at their joint appearance outside Gracie Mansion.</p><p>“That is something that I believe in, is everyone, no matter the opinion or the critique, that we engage,” Mamdani said.</p><p>Trump dismissed suggestions that the media restrictions were intended to divert attention from criticism of his administration, saying journalists had threatened to boycott him but had continued covering him.</p><p>The meeting came just before Trump's address to the UN General Assembly and marked his first visit to Gracie Mansion since becoming president. It was also the first presidential visit to the historic residence since Ronald Reagan met then-New York Mayor Ed Koch there in 1981.</p>

Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani met for the third time in less than a year, with the president striking a notably warmer tone than in the past. Here's what Trump said in praise of the leftist mayor.

US President Donald Trump struck a markedly warmer tone with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday(Sep 21), praising the 34-year-old mayor after their third in-person meeting and discussing immigration enforcement, public safety and a proposed $21 billion housing project in Queens. Trump and Mamdani met privately for about an hour at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, during the president's visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. “Hopefully, you're going to be a great (mayor). I'll be able to say you're going to be a great one, and you're off to a start,” Trump told Mamdani after the meeting. The exchange was notable given Trump's earlier attacks on Mamdani. Before Mamdani took office in January, Trump had referred to him as “my little communist” and a “total nut job”. Their subsequent meetings, however, have been notably more cordial. Also read | Trump signs Russia sanctions law: India faces fresh 100% tariff threat over Russian oil Mamdani raises concerns over immigration Immigration was among the issues discussed behind closed doors. Mamdani said he voiced his concerns about the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for some immigrant groups, including Haitians. “I shared my very strong opinions about how we can keep New Yorkers safe, how we can keep immigrant New Yorkers safe, and how important immigrant New Yorkers, especially Haitian New Yorkers, are not only to the fabric of our city, but also to our city’s economy,” he said. Mamdani acknowledged that the two still have significant political disagreements but said he intended to continue talking with Trump and other officials who could provide assistance to New Yorkers. “We've both spoken about very different approaches, very different beliefs, and I will continue to have conversations with the president, and frankly with anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani said. $21 billion Queens housing proposal The meeting also advanced discussions over Mamdani's proposal to build 12,000 homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens. The project involves constructing a new neighbourhood above the sprawling rail yard and would require more than $21 billion in federal support, according to Mamdani. Trump and the mayor had previously discussed the proposal during their February meeting in Washington. Monday's talks led to an agreement to continue technical discussions over the project, although there was no federal funding commitment from Trump. Trump said the proposal could be costly but acknowledged the potential scale of the development. Also read | White House TV pool halts Trump coverage after CNN barred from UNGA events Mamdani welcomes all media The meeting also touched on the dispute between the Trump administration and several US news organisations. CNN, Politico and MS NOW have been barred from White House grounds, prompting those outlets and other media organisations to challenge the administration's restrictions. Mamdani said he had told Trump that all journalists would be welcome at their joint appearance outside Gracie Mansion. “That is something that I believe in, is everyone, no matter the opinion or the critique, that we engage,” Mamdani said. Trump dismissed suggestions that the media restrictions were intended to divert attention from criticism of his administration, saying journalists had threatened to boycott him but had continued covering him. The meeting came just before Trump's address to the UN General Assembly and marked his first visit to Gracie Mansion since becoming president. It was also the first presidential visit to the historic residence since Ronald Reagan met then-New York Mayor Ed Koch there in 1981.

<p>Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani met for the third time in less than a year, with the president striking a notably warmer tone than in the past. Here's what Trump said in praise of the leftist mayor.</p>

From ‘communist’ to ‘great mayor’: Trump praises Mamdani after New York meeting, discusses immigration and housing

<p>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani showed up at the White House on Thursday (Feb 26) with a carefully chosen gift for President Donald Trump. The offering, which was clearly designed to appeal to Trump’s ego, came with an appeal: for the POTUS to intervene in the case of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student who had been detained earlier by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. So, what was the gift? Did it work? All you need to know.</p><h2><strong>What did Mamdani give Trump?</strong></h2><p>Zohran Mamdani gave Donald Trump a mocked-up New York Daily News front page praising Trump’s support for housing in the city. The graphic featured a stoic photo of the president with the headline, “Trump to City: Let’s Build.”</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-declares-open-war-against-afghanistan-taliban-says-patience-reached-its-limit-1772154130929"><strong>Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan Taliban, says 'patience reached its limit'</strong></a></p><p>Alongside it, Mamdani presented a very different piece of history. The original 1975 Daily News cover that once declared “Ford to City: Drop Dead.”</p><p>By all accounts, it worked. The president appeared to take to it immediately. A picture shared by Mamdani on X shows Trump grinning from ear to ear while showing off the two newspapers.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon.<br><br>I’m looking forward to building more housing in New York City. <a href="https://t.co/XnPbt0KXYU">pic.twitter.com/XnPbt0KXYU</a></p>&mdash; Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/2027113267710021738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Ellie Aghayeva freed</strong></h2><p>Mamdani later described the Oval Office conversation as "productive". In a post on X, he said he was "looking forward to building more housing in New York City" with Trump.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-blasts-new-york-times-as-utterly-disgusting-over-paedophilia-not-a-crime-article-jeffrey-epstein-files-1772095271310"><strong>'Utterly disgusting’: Musk blasts NYT over 'paedophilia not a crime' article</strong></a></p><p>During the meeting, the mayor also raised the case of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student detained earlier that day by federal immigration agents from her dorm. Mamdani asked Trump to consider her release. Soon after, he said the president agreed in a follow-up call.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just got off the phone with President Trump.<br><br>In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning.<br><br>He has just informed me that she will be released imminently. <a href="https://t.co/rvmTWpq83r">https://t.co/rvmTWpq83r</a></p>&mdash; Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/2027129042432913711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>29-year-old Aghayeva later posted online that she was safe and heading home.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260227/image-1772179388056.png"></figure><p>Mamdani’s office confirmed that he also shared a list of four additional detained students with Trump and his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, requesting that their cases also be reviewed.</p>

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani brought an unusual present for Donald Trump to the White House, along with a request tied to an ICE detention. What was the gift and did it work?

Scroll down to read more.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani showed up at the White House on Thursday (Feb 26) with a carefully chosen gift for President Donald Trump. The offering, which was clearly designed to appeal to Trump’s ego, came with an appeal: for the POTUS to intervene in the case of Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University student who had been detained earlier by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. So, what was the gift? Did it work? All you need to know. What did Mamdani give Trump? Zohran Mamdani gave Donald Trump a mocked-up New York Daily News front page praising Trump’s support for housing in the city. The graphic featured a stoic photo of the president with the headline, “Trump to City: Let’s Build.” Also read | Pakistan declares 'open war' against Afghanistan Taliban, says 'patience reached its limit' Alongside it, Mamdani presented a very different piece of history. The original 1975 Daily News cover that once declared “Ford to City: Drop Dead.” By all accounts, it worked. The president appeared to take to it immediately. A picture shared by Mamdani on X shows Trump grinning from ear to ear while showing off the two newspapers.

<p>NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani brought an unusual present for Donald Trump to the White House, along with a request tied to an ICE detention. What was the gift and did it work?</p><p>Scroll down to read more.</p>

Mamdani flatters Trump with a gift, scores freedom for Ellie Aghayeva, the Columbia student detained by ICE

<p>Zohran Mamdani, New York City's Mayor-elect, met US President Donald Trump in the White House last week. In a recent podcast, the 34-year-old talked about the "weirdest thing" he saw in the Oval Office. At his appearance on the web-based "The Adam Friedland Show", Mamdani said he spotted a "UFC" coffee table book among Trump's reading materials. He said he had "no idea" that the White House was going to host the mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn in June. "I sit down, waiting for the time of the meeting, and in front of me are all of these different coffee-table books," Mamdani said while recalling his day.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"And one of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flipping, flipping through that," he added. Mamdani was asked whether he was planning to attend the event. He replied, "No," with a chuckle.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRdNUEVCUvC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRdNUEVCUvC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRdNUEVCUvC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by THE ADAM FRIEDLAND SHOW (@theadamfriedlandshow)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>'Trump is a fascist'</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mamdani on Sunday (Nov 23) defended his astonishingly warm meeting with President Donald Trump, saying the sudden display of friendliness does not change his long-held view that Trump is a "fascist" and a "despot". During an interview, Mamdani said his political stance remains unchanged despite the unexpectedly cordial White House encounter that unfolded on Friday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Mamdani insisted, "Everything that I've said in the past, I continue to believe." He said, "I'm not coming into the Oval Office to make a point or make a stand. I'm coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers."</p>

In a recent podcast, the 34-year-old talked about the weirdest thing he saw in the Oval Office. At his appearance on the web-based The Adam Friedland Show, Mamdani said he spotted a UFC coffee table book among Trump reading materials. 

Zohran Mamdani, New York City's Mayor-elect, met US President Donald Trump in the White House last week. In a recent podcast, the 34-year-old talked about the "weirdest thing" he saw in the Oval Office. At his appearance on the web-based "The Adam Friedland Show", Mamdani said he spotted a "UFC" coffee table book among Trump's reading materials. He said he had "no idea" that the White House was going to host the mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn in June. "I sit down, waiting for the time of the meeting, and in front of me are all of these different coffee-table books," Mamdani said while recalling his day. "And one of them is UFC at the White House. I had no idea, and I was just flipping, flipping through that," he added. Mamdani was asked whether he was planning to attend the event. He replied, "No," with a chuckle.

<p>In a recent podcast, the 34-year-old talked about the "weirdest thing" he saw in the Oval Office. At his appearance on the web-based "The Adam Friedland Show", Mamdani said he spotted a "UFC" coffee table book among Trump's reading materials.&nbsp;</p>

WATCH: Zohran Mamdani saw ‘weirdest thing’ in White House while waiting for Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump who once called NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani a “communist lunatic” looked all smitten by him as he visited the White House. The interaction and the bond between the two leaders has gone viral on the internet

<p>US President Donald Trump who once called NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani a “communist lunatic” looked all smitten by him as he visited the White House. The interaction and the bond between the two leaders has gone viral on the internet</p>

'Fascist' meets 'jihadist': Trump–Mamdani meeting sparks memefest online

zohran-mamdani-meets-donald-trump

Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump, News on Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump, stories on Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump, articles on Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump, Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump stories at Wion, Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump news, Zohran Mamdani Meets Donald Trump latest news

zohran mamdani-meets-donald-trump

From ‘communist’ to ‘great mayor’: Trump praises Mamdani after New York meeting, discusses immigration and housing

Mamdani flatters Trump with a gift, scores freedom for Ellie Aghayeva

WATCH: Zohran Mamdani saw ‘weirdest thing’ in White House

‘Find someone who looks at you…’: Trump–Mamdani meeting breaks the internet