President Trump on Monday hailed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamadani as a potentially “great mayor” after the two had a high-profile sit-down at Gracie Mansion on Monday.
Mr. Trump, returning to the city where he grew up and became a household name, hailed the mayor’s home as a “special place,” saying he had met several mayors there dating back to his days as a New York real estate mogul.
“I’ve seen it with numerous different mayors and I saw some great ones and some not so great ones. So hopefully you’re going to be a great one. I’ll be able to say you’re going to be a great one and you’re off to a start,” Mr. Trump said, standing alongside Mr. Mamdani.
Mr. Trump is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, at which he will speak Tuesday.
Monday’s visit was the first time a president visited the New York mayor’s official residence since President Reagan met with Ed Koch in 1981 to discuss federal investments in a city roadway project.
Mr. Mamdani also spoke highly of Mr. Trump, who has criticized him repeatedly.
“We appreciate the president’s commitment to the city,” Mr. Mamdani said. “And today, you know, the president shared many of his memories of having been to Gracie Mansion before, having been out here, as well on the lawn. And we appreciated the conversation of how we can work together to deliver a lower cost of living for New Yorkers.”
In April, Mr. Trump ripped Mr. Mamdani’s proposal to tax New York City second homes valued at over $5 million with the president accusing the mayor of “destroying New York,” adding that the city had “no chance” under Mr. Mamdami’s leadership.
When Mr. Mamdani was elected mayor last year, Mr. Trump called him a “100% communist lunatic.” Mr. Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist.
The president also criticized Mr. Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who appeared to be smiling and laughing while victims’ names were being read at the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks at Ground Zero in New York. Mr. Trump called it “terrible,” saying “it’s not a place to be laughing.”
The two men also fawned over each other during their first meeting in November at the White House. They met again privately at the Oval Office in February and regularly keep in contact.
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