On Monday, President Donald Trump met with New York Mayor Zohran Mam Madi in Manhattan, praising the mayor and briefing him on a $21 billion plan to build 12,000 new homes in the city. The closed‑door meeting lasted roughly an hour and marked the third public encounter between the two since Mam Madi’s January victory.
Trump, who previously branded Mam Madi a "little communist," softened his tone, saying the mayor will "be a great one." He also defended his media bans, claiming outlets had "never boycotted me" and would not be worried about their criticism.
Immigration enforcement was a key agenda item, with Trump warning that New Yorkers would be safer under a stricter approach to Temporary Protected Status. Mam Madi said he would continue conversations with the president despite their differing views.
The mayor welcomed the president’s commitment to the city, stating he would cooperate to secure federal relief. He highlighted the 12,000‑home proposal, which would require $21 billion in federal funds, a figure he reiterated during the press conference.
The meeting precedes the UN General Assembly, where Trump will appear, and sets the stage for a joint lobbying effort. The next step is to present the funding request to Congress and seek approval from the federal government.