New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised the issue of press access during his latest meeting with US President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion in New York on September 21, 2026.

The meeting took place ahead of Trump's scheduled address to the United Nations General Assembly. While the two leaders discussed issues affecting New York City, their differing views over media access also became a prominent part of the public exchange.

Mamdani told reporters that he had discussed the issue directly with Trump. He said New York would welcome members of the press, regardless of their opinions or criticism, during the meeting at the mayor's official residence.

The comments came after the White House barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from its grounds. The outlets have challenged the restrictions in court, arguing that the decision violates First Amendment protections for freedom of the press.

Trump defended his decision during the appearance with Mamdani. He argued that news organizations have an obligation to cover his administration fairly and accused the banned outlets of producing what he described as "fake news."

The dispute has also affected the White House press pool. CNN had been scheduled for television pool duties, but its access was revoked. Other major television networks subsequently declined to replace CNN for the assignment, escalating the confrontation between the administration and the press corps.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on September 21, seeking to restore their White House access. The organizations argue that selectively excluding news outlets because of their coverage raises constitutional concerns.

Despite the disagreement over the media, Trump and Mamdani maintained a relatively cordial tone during their meeting. The two also discussed New York City issues, including immigration, public safety and a proposed housing development involving thousands of affordable homes in Queens.

The White House press-access dispute is now moving into the courts, where judges will consider the legal questions surrounding the administration's restrictions on selected news organizations.