Mamdani deflects Kimmel's anti-Trump bait when pressed repeatedly on relationship with the president

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NYC Mayor Mamdani Discusses Trump Relationship, Housing Push in Late‑Night Show

In a recent episode of his late‑night program, host Jimmy Kimmel sat down with New York City’s first socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, to talk about the mayor’s relationship with former President Donald Trump and the city’s ambitious housing agenda. The conversation, filmed in Kimmel’s studio, drew laughs and a few sharp political remarks, but also shed light on the surprisingly cordial ties between a left‑wing mayor and the Trump administration.

The Interview

Kimmel, always eager to probe his guests, began by asking the mayor how the two had become friends. “Did you guys hit it off immediately or is it something that you really went into thinking, ‘OK, I need to have a relationship with the president of the United States and I think the best way to do it is to charm him?’ How did you do that and can you help me?” he prompted, calling the partnership “unexpected.”

Mamdani’s reply was quick and matter‑of‑fact. “Sorry, brother,” he said, before explaining that while he and Trump have clashed on many issues, they share a mutual love for New York City. “From that first meeting in November of last year, I was just thinking of ‘How can we make this meeting not about us, but about New Yorkers? How can we spend that time talking about the things that could make life in the city that little bit easier?’ And that’s what it’s been whether we’ve met at the White House or at Gracie Mansion.”

The mayor went on to describe a recent conversation with the former president, held at Gracie Mansion, where they focused on a long‑promised housing project. “The number one thing that we’ve been speaking about recently has been Sunnyside Yard,” Mamdani told Kimmel. “It’s this idea for decades of building a platform over a rail yard and then building 12,000 homes. And so, in that moment, you know, that you zoomed in on, I’m just thinking about 12,000 homes, 30,000 jobs, largest housing development since the early 1970s.”

Kimmel, never missing a chance for a joke, asked, “When you text him about Sunnyside, are you sure he doesn’t think you’re texting him about eggs?” Mamdani answered that the texts were “pretty normal and didn’t resemble the president’s Truth Social posts” and added, “I love you, but I love housing more.”

Trump’s Perspective

The former president’s own remarks about Mamdani, made during his State of the Union address in February, were mixed. “The new communist mayor of New York City, I think he’s a nice guy, actually,” Trump said, adding that while the mayor’s policies were “bad,” he was “nice.” He also noted that Mamdani could “surprise some conservative people” and that “the better he does, the happier I am.”

Mamdani’s February 26 meeting in the Oval Office was reportedly cordial; he pressed for Trump’s backing of the Sunnyside proposal, a plan that has sparked debate among city officials and developers.

The Political Divide

Despite their stark ideological differences, Mamdani and Trump have continued to meet. According to the mayor, their discussions have remained focused on New York City rather than partisan politics. “We’ve had many disagreements, but we agree on how much we both love New York City,” Mamdani said, emphasizing that his priority remains housing, not politics.

The mayor’s focus on the Sunnyside project is part of a broader push to bring more affordable homes to the city. The proposal, which would build a platform over a rail yard and create 12,000 housing units and 30,000 jobs, has been touted as the largest development since the 1970s. Mamdani’s insistence on a “direct” and “honest” relationship with the former president reflects a pragmatic approach to securing federal support for the project.

Kimmel’s Light‑Hearted Remarks

During the interview, Kimmel suggested that Mamdani might be able to move to Washington and spend time in the Oval Office. “I mean listen, you seem to be doing a great job in New York. We might need you to move to Washington just hang out at the Oval Office all day. Like if you texted him a selfie of us right now,” the host quipped. Mamdani laughed and shot down the idea, replying, “I love you, but I love housing more.”

The host also asked if Mamdani would consider becoming the mayor of Los Angeles at the end of the discussion. Mamdani’s response was again brief, keeping the conversation focused on his current work in New York.

The White House’s Silence

The White House has not yet issued a statement on the interview or on the current status of the Sunnyside proposal. Fox News Digital, which covered the interview, reached out to the administration for comment but did not receive a response at the time of writing.

Bottom Line

Mamdani’s appearance on Kimmel’s show highlighted the unusual friendship between a socialist mayor and a former Republican president, all while underscoring the mayor’s relentless push for large‑scale housing development in New York City. Though their political philosophies diverge sharply, both leaders seem to recognize the need to prioritize the city’s residents over partisan rhetoric. Whether the partnership will yield concrete progress on the Sunnyside project remains to be seen, but the mayor’s willingness to engage across the aisle signals a pragmatic approach to a city’s most pressing challenges.