Overview
- The mayor proposed decking over Sunnyside Yard in Queens to create about 12,000 affordable homes financed by more than $21 billion in federal grants.
- Mamdani’s team said the president was “very enthusiastic” about the concept, though the White House has not announced any commitment.
- The unscheduled, roughly hour-long meeting featured a mock Daily News–style front page the mayor used to frame the proposal’s public appeal.
- After the meeting, Mamdani said Trump phoned to say Columbia student Elmina “Ellie” Aghayeva would be released following her ICE detention.
- The mayor submitted four additional student cases to the White House; three are now out of custody and Leqaa Kordia remains detained as court proceedings continue.