Watch: Mamdani says press allowed at event with Trump regardless of media ban

September 21, 2026

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted President Donald Trump for a meeting at Gracie Mansion during United Nations week, followed by a press conference. The mayor made clear that all media outlets would be permitted to attend the press conference at his event, contrasting with Trump's recent restrictions on certain news organizations. This decision came in direct response to the president's ban of CNN, Politico, and MSNBC from White House press access.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani
CNN, Politico, and MSNBC (news organizations banned from White House)
All members of the media covering the event
The press corps generally

What action is being taken

Mayor Mamdani is allowing all media members to attend the press conference with Trump
President Trump is meeting with Mayor Mamdani at Gracie Mansion during United Nations week
Trump is maintaining a ban on CNN, Politico, and MSNBC from the White House

Why it matters

This situation matters because it demonstrates a clash between presidential media restrictions and local officials' commitment to press freedom. Mayor Mamdani's decision to welcome all media despite Trump's White House ban represents local resistance to federal press access limitations and underscores ongoing concerns about media freedom and transparency in government. It highlights the role that state and local officials can play in maintaining press access even when federal policies become more restrictive.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC