Mamdani tells Trump banned White House outlets are welcome at NYC meeting
Mayor Mamdani Calls for Inclusive Press Meeting as Trump Defends Ban on Major Outlets
Gracie Mansion – In a press conference held on Monday evening, New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, welcomed a wide array of reporters for a joint meeting with former President Donald Trump. The meeting followed Trump’s recent decision to bar several media organizations—CNN, MS NOW and Politico—from the White House, a move that has sparked debate over press freedom and presidential‑media relations.
Mamdani, who is also the mayor’s chief of staff, said he had told Trump that the mayor’s office would welcome “all of the members of the press” on the mansion’s lawn. “I told the president that we’re going to have all of the members of the press here on the lawn. And that is something that I believe in, as everyone, no matter the opinion or the critique that we engage in,” he explained. The statement underscored Mamdani’s commitment to inclusive journalism, even in the face of political friction.
Trump, who was on hand to defend the ban, appeared on the stage to address reporters and a small audience of journalists. He noted that several television networks—FOX, ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC—had suspended their presidential pool coverage in response to the ban. “It’s interesting because they said they were going to boycott me, but they never boycott me. So I wasn’t very worried about that. Look at all that press,” Trump said.
The former president also criticized what he called “fake news” outlets for their coverage of his administration. “I never get anything positive. It’s always negative, even having to do with the war. We’ve done so well,” he said, referring to the United States’ stance on the Iran conflict. Trump further added, “You would think that an outlet would write at least reasonably well, but never. If you look at CNN, it’s fake news.” He warned that allowing these outlets into the White House could harm national security. “They’re very bad for the country, very bad for national security. So I have that obligation,” Trump said, concluding that the outcome would unfold over time.
Trump defended his decision by pointing to what he described as the administration’s record on the economy and foreign policy. “We have the best economic numbers for the country in the history of our country. We have $21 trillion pouring in, the biggest number ever. Nobody’s ever done what we’ve done,” he said.
The ban, announced a few weeks earlier, was part of a broader strategy by Trump to limit media access. While the ban specifically targeted CNN, MS NOW and Politico, it also prompted a broader withdrawal of several television networks from the White House pool—a move that many media analysts say could set a precedent for future administrations.
Mamdani’s remarks at the press conference signaled an attempt to bridge the divide between the mayor’s office and the national media. “We’re all here to talk about how we can better serve New York City,” he said. The mayor added that the meeting was an opportunity for dialogue: “I believe in open conversation, whether it’s with people who agree with me or those who critique me.”
The event took place in front of Gracie Mansion’s iconic lawn, a space that has long been a stage for political debate and media events. As the city’s political and media communities digest the implications of the ban, the conversation around press freedom and presidential communication continues to evolve.