Mamdani defends Trump meeting, cites wins for New Yorkers

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion, rejecting criticism by citing his campaign promise to work with anyone who can deliver results for New Yorkers. Mamdani cited tangible outcomes from prior Trump meetings, including securing the release of Columbia University student Ellie Aghayeva from ICE custody and advancing the Sunnyside Yard housing project, a proposed 12,000-unit development in Queens. He also discussed restoring Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants. The mayor framed the meeting as practical governance, contrasting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who faced backlash for meeting with Trump envoy Jared Kushner. Mamdani chose Gracie Mansion partly because Trump has fond memories of the residence from previous mayors' tenures.