Mamdani shared a photo from the meeting on social media, writing, ‘I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon. I'm looking forward to building more housing in New York City.’ This was their second meeting since Mamdani’s mayoral win last year.

During the meeting, Mamdani raised concerns about the detention of Columbia University student Elmina Aghayeva from Azerbaijan by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump later informed him that she would be “released imminently.” The federal Homeland Security Department confirmed her release and said removal proceedings were initiated.

While Trump and Mamdani hold very different political views, their previous meeting in November was unexpectedly friendly. They discussed ways to reduce housing prices, a central issue in Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and one of Trump’s pledges ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Despite policy efforts, US mortgage rates remain high, and housing supply is insufficient to meet demand. Economists say Trump’s trade and immigration policies have increased the cost of building materials and reduced labor supply, making construction more difficult and keeping housing prices high.

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Mamdani also criticized Trump’s hardline immigration enforcement and policies toward Gaza. He handed the White House a list of four pro-Palestinian students facing deportation, Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, Mohsen Mahdawi, and Leqaa Kordia, and sought help to dismiss their cases. Three have been released over the past year, but Kordia remains detained after a seizure in ICE custody.

Trump has described pro-Palestinian protesters as antisemitic, but critics say he wrongly conflates advocacy for Palestinian rights with extremism, raising concerns among demonstrators and Jewish groups alike.