Trump praises leftist Mamdani after meeting in New York

President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani set aside their political differences during a meeting in Manhattan on Monday, discussing immigration enforcement and a proposed multi-billion-dollar housing project.

Trump, a Republican, had repeatedly criticised Mamdani before he took office in January, calling him “my little communist” and a “total nut job”. Their relationship has since become notably more cordial.

“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 at a joint news conference.

The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour and marked the third public meeting between the two since Mamdani won last year’s mayoral election.

“We appreciate the president's commitment to the city,” Mamdani said of Trump, who was visiting New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mamdani, 34, said he raised concerns about immigration enforcement, including Trump’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for thousands of immigrants as part of his administration’s deportation plans.

He also discussed with Trump a proposal to build 12,000 homes in New York, a project previously discussed by the two that would require an estimated $21 billion in federal funding.

Mamdani said he would continue working with Trump despite their differences.

“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,” he said.

Mamdani also said he told Trump that all members of the press would be welcome at their joint news conference, held outside the mayor’s official residence.

Trump’s visit came as several major US television networks largely boycotted coverage of the president in protest against his decision to ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

“That is something that I believe in, is everyone, no matter the opinion or the critique, that we engage,” Mamdani said.

Trump dismissed a suggestion that the media restrictions were intended to divert attention from criticism of the war in Iran.

“They said they were going to boycott me, but they never boycott me, so I wasn't very worried about that,” he said.