Trump Praises NYC Mayor Mamdani for 'Big Progress' on Declaration of Independence

President Trump says Mamdani has embraced the founding document during a recent Oval Office meeting.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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President Donald Trump said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made 'big progress' in embracing the Declaration of Independence during a meeting at the Oval Office, using the moment to spotlight what he described as a significant shift in tone.

Why it matters

The meeting between Trump and Mamdani, who have clashed on various political issues, highlights a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation and common ground around the nation's founding principles. However, Mamdani's subsequent criticism of U.S. military strikes on Iran has drawn backlash from conservatives.

The details

Trump included a photo of Mamdani standing in front of the Declaration of Independence, writing on Truth Social that 'Zohran has come a long way embracing, of course, the Declaration of Independence while at The Oval Office – Big progress!' The post comes less than a week after Mamdani visited Trump at the White House for a previously unscheduled meeting, where the two discussed immigration and housing issues affecting New York City. Afterward, Mamdani wrote that Trump told him a Columbia University student detained by ICE would be released.

  • On March 4, 2026, President Trump and NYC Mayor Mamdani met at the Oval Office.
  • Less than a week prior to the March 4 meeting, Mamdani visited Trump at the White House for an unscheduled discussion.

The players

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who met with NYC Mayor Mamdani at the Oval Office.

Zohran Mamdani

The current Mayor of New York City who met with President Trump and was praised for embracing the Declaration of Independence.

Elaina Aghayeva

A Columbia University student who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and whose release was reportedly secured by Mayor Mamdani during his meeting with President Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Zohran has come a long way embracing, of course, the Declaration of Independence while at The Oval Office – Big progress!”

— President Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He just informed me that she will be released imminently.”

— Mayor Zohran Mamdani (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Elaina Aghayeva to remain in the country after her release from ICE detention.

The takeaway

This meeting between the Democratic mayor of New York City and the Republican former president highlights the potential for bipartisan cooperation on certain issues, even as the two leaders continue to clash on other matters such as the U.S. military's actions abroad. The release of the detained Columbia student also demonstrates Trump's willingness to intervene in individual immigration cases, despite his generally hardline stance on the issue.