5 minPolitics
Mamdani Welcomes Banned White House Outlets to NYC Meeting with Trump
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said all media outlets, including those barred from the White House, were welcome at his joint meeting with President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion. Trump defended the ban and criticized the press.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Monday that all members of the press, including outlets recently banned from the White House, were welcome at his joint meeting with President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion.
During a press conference on the lawn, a reporter asked Mamdani whether he had challenged Trump over his decision to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House coverage. Mamdani responded that he had told the president that all press would be present at the New York City event.
«I told the president that we're going to have all of the members of the press here on the lawn,» Mamdani said. «And that is something that I believe in, as everyone, no matter the opinion or the critique that we engage in.»
Trump then took the stage, defending his decision to exclude certain outlets from the White House and addressing the subsequent suspension of presidential pool coverage by the remaining television networks, which included FOX News Media, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News.
«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 president explained that he chose to engage with the outlets at Gracie Mansion despite what he described as their failure to fairly cover his accomplishments, including winning the election, settling wars, and improving economic numbers.
«I'm only doing it because I think the press also has an obligation,» he said. «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.»
Trump argued that allowing certain media outlets into the White House would be harmful to national security, accusing them of reporting what he called «fake news.»
«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 Iran. «You would think that an outlet would write at least reasonably well, but never. If you look at CNN, it's fake news.»
«They're very bad for the country, very bad for national security. So I have that obligation. So we'll see how it works out,» he added.
The exchange highlighted the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the press, with the president maintaining a hard line on outlets he deems unfair while the New York City mayor emphasized the importance of open access for all media.
The meeting at Gracie Mansion marked a rare public appearance by Trump in New York City, where he and Mamdani have engaged in a political back-and-forth over recent months. The two are set to meet again on the mayor's home turf, according to prior announcements.
Mamdani's stance drew a clear contrast with the White House's approach, as he welcomed outlets that have been excluded from presidential events. The mayor's comments underscored his commitment to press freedom, even as Trump used the platform to reiterate his grievances with the media.
The event also came amid a broader debate over press access and the role of the media in covering the presidency. The suspension of pool coverage by major networks followed the White House's decision to ban certain outlets, raising questions about the norms of presidential press relations.
Trump's remarks at Gracie Mansion suggested he remains unapologetic about his media strategy, framing it as a necessary response to what he perceives as biased coverage. He cited economic achievements and national security concerns as reasons for his approach.
For his part, Mamdani has positioned himself as a defender of press freedom, a stance that could resonate with New Yorkers and beyond. His decision to welcome all outlets to the event sent a message that his administration values transparency and open dialogue.
The joint appearance also served as a reminder of the political dynamics between the two leaders, who have clashed on various issues but found themselves sharing a stage. Their next meeting is expected to continue the dialogue on issues affecting the city and the nation.
As the press conference concluded, the focus remained on the contrasting views of the two figures regarding the media's role. While Trump defended his bans as a matter of principle and security, Mamdani reaffirmed his belief in accommodating all voices, regardless of their critiques.
The event at Gracie Mansion thus became a microcosm of the larger national conversation about the relationship between political power and the press, with each leader staking out distinct positions.
5
