New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted an iftar dinner at Gracie Mansion with Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University activist detained under President Trump's immigration crackdown. The dinner marked the first anniversary of Khalil's arrest and featured the mayor, his wife, Khalil, his wife Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their infant son Deen. The gathering included Ramzi Kassem, Khalil's attorney who now serves as chief counsel to the mayor.

Mamdani's relationship with Khalil began in June 2025 when, as a state lawmaker, he called for Khalil's release after federal agents detained him following a pro-Palestinian protest. The mayor has since become Khalil's most prominent advocate, appearing with him at public events including a Ramy Youssef comedy show and Khalil's attendance at Mamdani's victory party and inauguration. Khalil praised Mamdani as the first elected official to speak out on his behalf when no Democratic congressional members did.

The White House condemned the dinner, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly calling Khalil a ringleader of violent anti-American and antisemitic protests. Political analysts view Mamdani's support as strategic, helping him maintain credibility with his progressive base while facing pressure over tax proposals and political endorsements. The dinner underscores the stark contrast between Khalil's treatment as a detained green card holder and Mamdani's embrace by the Trump administration despite their shared Muslim immigrant backgrounds.