President Donald Trump traveled to Gracie Mansion Monday for the first presidential visit to the historic New York City mayoral residence since Ronald Reagan’s 1981 meeting with Mayor Ed Koch.
The visit marked a striking moment of détente between Trump and Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani — two leaders who’ve traded sharp attacks in recent years.
Trump has repeatedly called Mamdani a “Communist lunatic.” Mamdani has publicly labeled Trump a “fascist.”
“I certainly hope he’ll be a good mayor. I want what’s good for New York and what’s good for the country. I want him to be a great mayor and he’s certainly got potential.”
Despite the history of harsh rhetoric, the two leaders appeared cordial during a joint press availability on the mansion’s front lawn following their private discussion.
Trump called Gracie Mansion a “special place” and said visiting the residence feels like “a home” to him.
“I’ve been at Gracie Mansion quite a few times over the years, a lot,” Trump said. “I’ve seen it with numerous different mayors. I’ve seen some great ones and not so great ones, and hopefully you’re going to be a great one.”
Mamdani emphasized the pair discussed issues affecting everyday New Yorkers — not partisan battles.
“Each time the president and I speak, it’s about the same topics,” Mamdani said. “How to improve the lives of New Yorkers and how to use the power of government to take on the cost of living crisis to grow our economy, and to build a better, stronger New York.”
The mayor added he would “work with anyone — no matter what party they belong to, no matter how much we may disagree on other topics — whoever has the power, and the will to lift that weight off of New Yorker’s backs.”
The central focus of Monday’s meeting was reviving a long-stalled project to construct a deck over Sunnyside Yard — a 180-acre active rail yard in Queens that city leaders have been trying to develop since 2015.
Mamdani said the two agreed to establish a new working group between City Hall housing teams and the White House to advance the Sunnyside Yard plan.
“One of the focuses of the conversations the president and I have been having is about the possibility of building more housing here in New York City, we’ve spoken about Sunnyside Yard. And it’s a real pleasure that just today we’ve agreed to set up a new level of that conversation between our housing and operations team at City Hall and the White House.”
The Sunnyside Yard project could unlock thousands of new housing units in a city grappling with skyrocketing rents and a severe housing shortage.
Trump concluded the press availability by expressing hope that the controversial mayor will defy odds and make New York a better place.
President Donald Trump arrives at Gracie Mansion ahead of his meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Trump: “It’s a special place… I just want to thank the mayor for the invitation.”
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The visit marks the first time a sitting president has visited Gracie Mansion in 45 years.
