# Mamdani declines Kimmel’s request to text Trump a selfie together

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mayor-zohran-mamdani-refuses-jimmy-kimmels-request-to-text-trump-a-selfie-of-them/
- Published: 2026-09-29T14:23:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-29T20:43:45+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/zohran-mamdani-jimmy-kimmel-live-donald-trump-selfie-text-1236877861/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Music

## Key points

- Mayor Mamdani refused Kimmel's request to text Trump a selfie
- Focus on policy work over performative political gestures
- Emphasises shared NYC commitment despite policy disagreements with Trump

## Summary

Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live in Brooklyn and declined the host's humorous request to text President Trump a selfie of them together, joking that he loved "housing more". The exchange highlighted Mamdani's pragmatic approach to his working relationship with Trump, which has attracted media speculation about whether the two had developed an unusually friendly bond.

Mamdani clarified that whilst he and Trump disagree on many issues, they share a commitment to New York City and communicate primarily regarding federal approval for the Sunnyside Yard development in Queens, which would create approximately 12,000 new homes and 30,000 jobs. He also emphasised his concern for Haitian New Yorkers who have lost their Protected Status, stating he believes the city must provide them with stability. The appearance came during Kimmel's eighth broadcast week from Brooklyn, which attracted over 150,000 ticket requests.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Mamdani declines Kimmel’s request to text Trump a selfie together](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/zohran-mamdani-jimmy-kimmel-live-donald-trump-selfie-text-1236877861/)
- [Fox News: Mamdani deflects Kimmel's anti-Trump bait when pressed repeatedly on relationship with the president](https://www.foxnews.com/media/mamdani-deflects-kimmel-anti-trump-bait-pressed-repeatedly-relationship-president)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.