Jimmy Kimmel: Please welcome the end of New York City as we know it, Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
[Crowd Cheers.]
I mean, this is something else, right? I think this means you're doing a good job. I have to tell you, I live in Los Angeles, and that is not the reception our mayor would get. So how is the complete and total destruction of New York going?
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: You know, it's proceeding as planned.
Kimmel: This is really — I think you've taken an interesting tact. And it's what you said you were going to do. But you know, most of the time mayors don't do what they say they were planning to do. And you've focused on really, I think, pretty simple things, common sense things. Like we talked about the potholes, obviously. You filled a lot of those potholes.
Do you think, like, Mayor Adams goes, why didn't I fill the potholes? That would have been a good idea. You've got some really creative ideas for the city that seem to be pretty successful so far. Like this Parents' Night Out idea. Explain what that is exactly.
Mayor Mamdani: The two most valuable things to parents are time and money. And we wanted to give them back a little bit of that. And so, we created a night where parents could finally go out for that date that they've been putting off. Some of them for years. And they could know that they wouldn't have to shell out for a babysitter. And we also were able to shift public opinion. We had a 6-year-old by the name of Wyatt who was crying when he was dropped off. And by the time the night was done, he didn't want to leave.
Kimmel: Did all the parents pick up their kids at the end? Or did some say, you know, I really like this? Maybe I'll leave them there for a week.
Mayor Mamdani: They're all at home now.
Kimmel: You all would like to open a city-run grocery store, which is interesting. Is that something that has been done anywhere before?
Mayor Mamdani: So, we've seen examples of versions of this across the country. One of the prime examples, though, is what the federal government has done for military service members. They have discounted groceries available for them to purchase at about a 23 percent discount. I think the key thing to us, whether it's potholes or groceries or child care, it's what are working-class New Yorkers struggling with?
And when you hear from working-class New Yorkers, you hear that groceries have gone up 30 percent since the pandemic. And this is a non-negotiable. You need food to eat to live in a city that you call your home. And so, what we're going to do is deliver five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough. And we're going to have a 30 percent discount on the essentials that you need to live a healthy life in this city.
Kimmel: And the healthy stuff. You put in a lot of these mobile public bathrooms, which I think is a great idea, but I have one issue that I would like to take up.
Mayor Mamdani: Hit me.
[Video Plays.]
Kimmel: And can I just say, and I'm speaking not just on behalf of myself, but the whole Kimmel family, that's too much pressure for us. To know that there are only 10 minutes and at the end that door's opening wide. Have you thought about that? Is there a snooze button on that thing?
Mayor Mamdani: If four minutes was enough for Madonna to save the world, I think 10 minutes is enough to do your business.
Kimmel: You seem to be having — another thing I think people would expect is how much fun you seem to be having with this job, which is a job that for most people is not fun at all. But you've done these things, like, when you had a snow day and you called the kid to tell the kid that it’s going to be a snow day, or you jumped in the pool with your suit on. Is that part of the plan or is that just you?
Mayor Mamdani: I think people are having a very difficult time in this country right now. And in this city, this is the most expensive city in the United States of America. People are struggling. And I have the privilege of having the greatest job in the world. And whatever I can do to make it easier for people to smile every day, that's something I want to do.
Kimmel: There's a subset of people here in this city who seem to be either living in or frequently visiting the sewer. Are you aware of this?
Mayor Mamdani: Yes, I'm aware of this.
Kimmel: Is this something that you are investigating?
Mayor Mamdani: Look, I got to be honest with you. I want to take some responsibility here. When I talked about sewer socialism, I didn't think people were going to go into the sewer to find socialism. So, if that's why you're going, please don't. You'll find it on the street.
Kimmel: You'll find it up on the street.
Mayor Mamdani: And if that's not why you're going, also, please don't.
Kimmel: Please don't. Yeah, there were people like wearing fishing waders getting down in the sewer. Are those people, have you considered, maybe deputizing those people to fix the potholes from below?
Mayor Mamdani: I have not thought about that.
Kimmel: Something to think about, something to maybe add to the plan. You seem to have — another thing I think that is very unexpected is this relationship you have with President Trump, which seems to be a pretty friendly relationship. Is that — did you guys hit it off immediately? Or is it something that you really like went into with thinking like, “okay, I'm just going to — I need to have a relationship with the President of the United States. And I think the best way to do it is to charm him.” How did you do that? And can you help me?
Mayor Mamdani: Sorry, brother.
Kimmel: Maybe if I move here, you'll take it more seriously.
Mayor Mamdani: But I think, look, the president and I have many disagreements. One thing we do agree on is the city [and] how much we love the city. And so, from that first meeting in November of last year, I was just thinking of how can we make this meeting not about us, but about New Yorkers? How can we spend that time talking about the things that could make life in this city that little bit easier? And that's what it's been, whether we've met at the White House or at Gracie Mansion.
Kimmel: The discipline you exhibit when standing — well — let's take a look at this video.
[Video Plays.]
Kimmel: It really is remarkable. I watch that and I go, okay, this is not a guy I want to play poker with. Because you obviously disagree with him when it comes to locking out certain members of the press. And then you even went so far as to specifically call on CNN, MSNOW, and Politico right next to him. And it doesn't bother him. He just seems to like you, and that is it. And that's all that seems to matter, I guess. What are you guys talking [about]? What's the serious stuff that you're talking [about]? Like, what do you need from him?
Mayor Mamdani: So, the number one thing that we've been speaking about recently has been Sunnyside Yard. Which is this idea for decades of building a platform over a rail yard. And then building 12,000 homes. And so, in that moment that you zoomed in on, I'm just thinking about 12,000 homes, 30,000 jobs, [and the] largest housing development since the early 1970s.
Kimmel: Have you considered calling it “Trumpyside Yard?”
Mayor Mamdani: I haven't.
Kimmel: You have not, alright. You text with the president; I've read.
Mayor Mamdani: From time to time, we're in communication. And it's about Sunnyside Yard. It's about how do we deliver for the city. One of the other things the president mentioned that we spoke about was that I care very deeply about Haitian New Yorkers. And they've had their protected status ended. And I really believe that we need to do whatever we can to make sure that they have stability. They're a part of the fabric of the city.
Kimmel: And he’s worked with you on that?
Mayor Mamdani: It's an ongoing conversation. But it's one that whenever there's a chance to make the case for people of New York, I'm going to make it.
Kimmel: And when you text him about Sunnyside, are you sure he doesn't think you're texting him about eggs?
Mayor Mamdani: I'm pretty sure.
Kimmel: Does he text back right away or does he play it cool and wait with you?
Mayor Mamdani: We both have busy schedules.
Kimmel: Is he texting back in certain words or in all caps like the way he posts or are they in a normal sentence case?
Mayor Mamdani: Pretty standard.
Kimmel: Normal sentence case. Wow, you really have broken through with him. Listen, you seem to be doing a great job in New York. We might need you to move to Washington to just hang out at the Oval Office all day. Like if you texted him a selfie of us right now.
Mayor Mamdani: Jimmy, I love you, but I love housing more.
Kimmel: Okay. One more thing.
Mayor Mamdani: Hit me.
Kimmel: Pete Davidson wants to know. What's going on at the BQE? He says he drives by it and he sees nobody doing anything. He said it's been like that since before he was born.
Mayor Mamdani: So, we actually recently announced that we are actually going to be repairing the part of the BQE.
Kimmel: Me and you?
Mayor Mamdani: No, no. We as politicians speak for all the people who do the work. City workers.
Kimmel: Okay, because I don't think I'd be any help at all. So, that is something that's on the list.
Mayor Mamdani: Yep, we're going to be putting a multi-billion-dollar plan to actually repair the part the city owns. Which is the part that is currently the most at risk. And that's going to be proceeding over the next ten years: full safety, no diversion of traffic into local neighborhoods. And actually, bring it back up to speed.
Kimmel: So, you're saying Pete's daughter will also be complaining about this. When she is — do you think — I'm sure you — listen, I know you're focused on your job right now and the city. Would you come to L.A. and be our mayor after this? We got a lot of potholes.
Mayor Mamdani: You know, it's three words for me always. It's New York City.
Kimmel: Alright, that’s fair. Thank you for being here. Your mayor, everybody, Zohran Mamdani. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
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