NYC Mayor Mamdani and President Trump Discuss Media Access and Criticism

On Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city welcomed all media members for a joint meeting with President Donald Trump. This came in response to Trump’s previous ban on certain media outlets from the White House.

During a press conference at Gracie Mansion, a reporter questioned Mamdani about Trump’s decision to exclude outlets like CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Mamdani stated, “I told the president that we’re going to have all of the members of the press here on the lawn. 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 to defend his decision and address the suspension of presidential pool coverage by networks including 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 worried about that. Look at all that press,” Trump commented.

He also discussed his rationale for engaging with these outlets at Gracie Mansion, despite criticisms of their coverage of his accomplishments. “I’m only doing it because I think the press also has an obligation,” Trump stated. He highlighted positive economic developments, mentioning, “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.”

Trump argued that allowing some media outlets into the White House would jeopardize national security, accusing them of spreading “fake news.” He remarked, “I never get anything positive. It’s always negative, even having to do with the war. We’ve done so well,” referring to Iran. He criticized CNN directly, calling it “fake news.”

The White House television pool members, including FOX News Media, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, and NBC News, announced their decision to suspend pooled coverage of Trump. “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,” Trump added.