Mayor Zohran Mamdani turns down Jimmy Kimmel’s Trump selfie request with one sharp line

Highlights

• Zohran Mamdani appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as the show began a week of broadcasts from Brooklyn
• Jimmy Kimmel asked Mamdani to text President Donald Trump a selfie of the two of them
• Mamdani turned down the request with a playful one-liner
• The New York City mayor has said his conversations with Trump focus on issues affecting the city

Zohran Mamdani found himself in an unexpected situation when he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the late-night host asked him to send President Donald Trump a selfie of the two of them.

Mamdani, who has been in regular contact with Trump over issues affecting New York City, declined Kimmel’s request. His response drew laughter from the audience.

Mamdani turns down Kimmel’s selfie idea

During the interview, Kimmel brought up Mamdani’s relationship with Trump, which the host described as unexpected given their disagreements.

Mamdani said that while he and Trump have “many disagreements”, they share a love for New York City. He said his focus during their meetings has been on finding ways to make life easier for New Yorkers.

Kimmel then asked about the two communicating by text. Mamdani confirmed that they are in contact from time to time, particularly over the proposed Sunnyside Yard development and issues affecting New Yorkers.

That led Kimmel to make a playful suggestion.

“Can we text him a selfie of us right now?” the host asked.

Mamdani laughed before delivering his response.

“Jimmy, I love you, but I love housing more,” he said.

Why Kimmel brought up Trump

Kimmel’s question came as the conversation turned to Mamdani’s dealings with Trump.

Mamdani said their communications have included discussions about the proposed Sunnyside Yard project in Queens, which he has said could bring thousands of new homes and jobs to the area.

He also mentioned Haitian New Yorkers and the need for stability for members of the community affected by changes to their protected status.

The exchange came during Kimmel’s return to Brooklyn for a week of shows at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The episode also featured Pete Davidson and a musical performance by TV on the Radio.

Mamdani keeps the focus on New York

The selfie joke came after Kimmel asked Mamdani whether he had deliberately sought a relationship with Trump despite their political differences.

Mamdani said his priority during their meetings was not their personal relationship but what they could do for New Yorkers.

His exchange with Kimmel offered a lighter version of that approach, with the mayor turning down the selfie while making a reference to one of his major policy priorities: housing.

For Kimmel, it was a late-night joke. For Mamdani, the answer brought the conversation back to the issue he wanted to emphasise.