President Donald Trump appeared to have trouble giving up the microphone Monday — even after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani made clear he would stay and take more questions from reporters outside Gracie Mansion as New York welcomed world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly.
As Mamdani continued speaking with reporters, Trump lingered unnecessarily nearby, prompting staff to signal that it was time for him to leave. Instead, Trump just stood there, looking irrelevant with his mouth frowning.
Images from the event show Trump hovering over Mamdani’s shoulder, appearing half asleep as reporters quizzed the mayor, leaving the president standing in the background with no questions coming his way.
“Somebody warm up the Citi Bike and get our boy to his favorite food truck NOW – he’s had a day!” one observer laughed on Threads.
The awkward scene came during a joint news conference on Monday that was already drawing attention because Mamdani had just told Trump that reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico would be welcome there after the president barred them from the White House over the weekend.
The outlets filed suit earlier in the day, seeking to restore their access, arguing that the administration violated their First Amendment rights by banning them over coverage Trump dislikes. Trump has continued to defend the move while some Republicans, like Sen. John Barrasso, have also voiced support for the decision.
The five major television networks that rotate presidential pool coverage also halted distribution of video from Trump’s events Monday after CNN was removed from the pool.
That left the White House facing an unusual situation in New York, where Trump met with Mamdani over municipal economic priorities before his address Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly.
But the elephant in the room was Trump’s order to restrict access for several news organizations, while Mamdani stood on the lawn of his own residence and acknowledged the central role of the press as a pillar of democracy.
As Mamdani continued answering questions, social media users seized on the contrast between a president who constantly attacks the media and a mayor who openly invites reporters to cover his events.
Earlier, during their sit-down, Trump and Mamdani discussed housing, policing and immigration. They also talked about plans to develop Sunnyside Yards, with Mamdani saying the two had agreed to establish “a new level of that conversation” aimed at building as many as 12,000 homes and creating 30,000 jobs.
Trump said the project would probably require “a lot of federal approvals and probably some federal money to do it,” adding that “maybe they have a shot at doing it.”
But the growing fight over who gets to cover the president dominated the news conference, as pointed questions from reporters pushed the other topics to the back burner.
A reporter asked Mamdani about Trump’s decision to ban news organizations from the White House and whether he had challenged the president about it during their meeting. The same journalist also asked Trump whether the restrictions were intended to distract from the Iran war and high gas prices.
Mamdani responded directly.
“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.”
Trump swung from left to right, appearing uncomfortable as Mamdani answered. Nonetheless, he stepped forward and defended his decision to exclude CNN, MS NOW and Politico. He argued that the outlets had an obligation to be fair and accused them of producing what he called fake 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. If you look at CNN as fake news, if you look at MSN, I don’t even know what MSN is, I guess it’s the MSNBC, what it used to be, or MSDNC, as some people call it. That’s Democrat National Committee, but it’s just biased news,” the president said.
“And I think that these outlets have an obligation to be fair. And if they’re fake news, I really think I have an obligation not to allow them into another very special house. This is a special house, Gracie Mansion. Well, the White House is the most special of all houses, I have to say. And I don’t even think the mayor would argue with that. I think I have an obligation not to let 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.”
Mamdani didn’t show any reaction to the president’s remarks.
After Trump finished speaking, White House staffers stepped in, telling reporters: “That’s all the time the president has … The President has to go now he’s very busy … Mayor Mamdani will stay to answer a few more questions. …”
But instead of leaving, Trump stayed put for several minutes, adding nothing beyond his tired posture.
That moment quickly became the focus online, with critics interpreting Trump’s lingering presence as clear evidence he did not want to surrender the spotlight to Mamdani.
“Oh, this is too f***ing funny,” one observer wrote on Threads. “He’s the alcoholic uncle draining the dregs from the glasses left at the end of the party. Needs his fix at the mic so much he’s hanging around Mamdani’s press conference like the foul smell he is.”
Another viewer added: “Watched the entire press conference and I loved how well Zohran handled him. Incredible,” posted with emojis of clapping hands.
Another person complained about Trump’s obvious desire to remain the center of attention: “Me-me-me-me. He’s such a revolting thing. Love how Zohran Mamdani handled the petty thing.”
Others saw Trump’s lingering presence as a sign that Mamdani’s solo turn fielding questions frustrated him and made him feel insignificant.
“Wishing he was as well liked and respected. All Trump ever wanted was respect, and he never learned how to earn it. Sad creature.”
Another observer added: “He is so pissed and embarrassed!”
“Such a weirdo,” someone else said, describing the lackluster look on Trump’s face.
One person summed up Trump’s performance in one word: “Creepy.”
Once Trump finally left, Mamdani returned to the lawn and continued answering questions, saying that disagreements with the president had not prevented the two from maintaining a working relationship.
“I will continue to have conversations with the president, and frankly, anyone who can deliver relief to the people of this city,” Mamdani said.
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