NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Reveals Thoughts During Viral Trump Encounter
Mamdani focused on a major real estate development during President Trump's press conference remarks.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has shared his perspective on a viral moment where he stood stoically beside President Donald Trump during a press conference earlier this month. While Trump was speaking, Mamdani appeared unfazed by the president's commentary, which included attacks on several news organizations.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, taping his show in New York, noted Mamdani's composure during the exchange. "It really is remarkable," Kimmel said. "I watch that and I go, ‘OK, this is not a guy I want to play poker with.’" Mamdani stated that his focus during the moment was on a significant real estate project. "The number one thing that we’ve been speaking about recently has been Sunnyside Yard, which is this idea, for decades, of building a platform over a rail yard and then building 12,000 homes," Mamdani explained. "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."
President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hold a joint news conference after a meeting at Gracie Mansion on September 21, 2026.