Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump held an unannounced meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Thursday, where the two discussed housing development in New York.
The meeting was not listed on the president’s public schedule and was not announced in advance by Mamdani, who took office last month. It occurred the same day Department of Homeland Security officials detained a Columbia University student.
Mamdani described the meeting as “productive.” A photo from the Oval Office showed President Trump holding two New York Daily News front pages, one authentic and one altered version provided by Mamdani. According to The New York Times, the mock front page portrayed Trump in a favorable light regarding support for expanded housing in the city.
The mayor said he also raised concerns about the detained Columbia student, identified as Elmina Aghayeva. Mamdani later wrote on X that he spoke with Trump by phone after the meeting.
“Just got off the phone with President Trump,” Mamdani posted. “In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elmina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently.”
Officials at Columbia University and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said immigration agents allegedly made misrepresentations to gain access to a campus building, including claiming they were searching for a missing person.
Columbia emphasized that law enforcement officers must present a judicial warrant or subpoena to enter non-public areas of the university, including residence halls and classrooms.
President Trump previously blasted Mamdani ahead of their first White House meeting.
“Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran ‘Kwame’ Mamdani, has asked for a meeting,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social in November. “We have agreed that this meeting will take place at the Oval Office on Friday, November 21st. Further details to follow!”