Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Trump Praises Mamdani After New York Immigration and Housing Talks
President Donald Trump met New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in Manhattan.
They talked privately for about an hour.
They discussed immigration rules and how to keep New Yorkers safe.
Mamdani raised concerns about ending special protections for some immigrants, including Haitians.
They also discussed a plan to build 12,000 homes in Queens.
The plan may need more than $21 billion from the federal government.
Trump and Mamdani have disagreed strongly, but Trump praised the mayor after their meeting.
Mamdani said he would keep working with Trump if it helped New Yorkers.
They also disagreed about whether all news organizations should have access to the White House and their events.
President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani held closed-door talks in Manhattan for about an hour.
The meeting covered immigration enforcement, public safety and a proposal to build 12,000 homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens.
Mamdani said the housing project could require more than $21 billion in federal support, but Trump made no funding commitment.
Trump praised Mamdani despite previously calling him “my little communist” and a “total nut job.”
Mamdani defended open press access, while Trump dismissed concerns about his restrictions on CNN, Politico and MS NOW.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- What
- They met to discuss immigration enforcement, public safety, a 12,000-home housing proposal and media access.
- When
- Monday, September 21, during Trump's visit to New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- Gracie Mansion in Manhattan, New York; the housing proposal concerns Sunnyside Yard in Queens.
- Why
- Mamdani sought discussions about keeping New Yorkers safe and obtaining relief and support for city residents, including federal support for the housing project.
Mamdani's position
Trump's position
Immigration and public safety
Mamdani's position
Mamdani said he expressed strong views about protecting New Yorkers and immigrant New Yorkers, including Haitian New Yorkers, amid the administration's immigration actions.
Trump's position
Trump's administration is pursuing immigration enforcement measures described in the reports as part of mass deportation plans, including ending Temporary Protected Status for some groups.
Federal housing support
Mamdani's position
Mamdani supports a 12,000-home development at Sunnyside Yard and said it would require more than $21 billion in federal support.
Trump's position
Trump acknowledged the proposal's potential scale but said it could be costly, and he made no federal funding commitment.
Media access
Mamdani's position
Mamdani said all journalists should be welcome at their joint appearance regardless of their opinions or criticism.
Trump's position
Trump defended or dismissed concerns about restrictions on CNN, Politico and MS NOW, saying a threatened media boycott had not worried him.
- Meeting duration
- About one hour
- Housing proposal
- 12,000 homes at Sunnyside Yard in Queens
- Estimated federal support
- More than $21 billion
- Meeting history
- The meeting was described as the pair's third public meeting since Mamdani won the mayoral election.
- Immigration concern
- Mamdani objected to the ending of Temporary Protected Status for some immigrant groups, including Haitians.
- Media restrictions
- CNN, Politico and MS NOW were barred from White House grounds, according to the reports.
