When Trump Met Mamdani – A Big Apple Arrangement

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants to bring thousands of affordable housing units and new jobs to the city through an ambitious plan to develop Sunnyside Yard in western Queens — and he knows the project is unlikely to get off the ground anytime soon without President Donald Trump. The pair discussed the bold plan behind closed doors at the mayor’s residence on Monday, and while details of the meeting remain limited, it’s easy to see why the prospect of returning to his roots as a New York City developer would pique the president’s interest.

Mamdani Needs Trump

After the meeting at Gracie Mansion, which was also attended by Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and her counterpart in the mayor’s administration, Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdani told reporters that he and President Trump “agreed to set up a new level of that conversation” about the $21 billion Sunnyside development. Mamdani has been critical of Trump for years, but now he needs the president - and Trump knows it.

“You're going to need a lot of federal approvals and probably some federal money to do it. But it's always been a great location,” Trump said, acknowledging that the area has had developers’ attention for decades. “Maybe they have a shot at doing it.”

Mamdani said the project could bring 12,000 new homes, 30,000 jobs, and an entirely new neighborhood to a city where housing remains residents’ biggest expense, adding that he welcomed Trump’s interest in the proposal. The mayor explained that New York City’s housing and operations team will coordinate with the White House to discuss the more “technical” aspects of the project, such as the federal authorizations required to make it happen.

Of course, this wasn’t the pair’s first meeting, nor was it the first time Sunnyside Yard was the topic of discussion. The question now is whether this latest sit-down will finally get the ball rolling on Mamdani’s long-shot development.

A Likely Bromance?

Trump said Mamdani, a proud Democratic Socialist, has the “potential” to be a “great mayor” after their meeting on Monday. “No, I certainly hope he will be a great mayor,” Trump told reporters. “You have to understand - I want what’s good for New York. I want what’s good for the country. So, if I had a choice of having him be a bad mayor or horrible mayor, I don’t want that. I want him to be a great mayor, and he’s certainly got potential and great potential.”

Mamdani was similarly courteous toward Trump, saying he “appreciated the conversation” he had with the president. The pair’s warm rapport raised eyebrows on both the right and the left, but should it? Trump has a track record of developing respectful relationships with unlikely - and even objectionable - political leaders. After all, he’s talked openly about getting along with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and has repeatedly touted his “very good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping. So, is it really all that surprising that Trump could strike up a cordial relationship with Mamdani?

Mamdani’s motivations are obvious, and if anything, his willingness to play nice with the president suggests he may be more politically savvy than many on the right are willing - or ready - to admit. Now all he has to do is promise to name the new Sunnyside neighborhood “Trumpville” and he’ll be ready to run for president.