by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
April 19, 2026
Obama formally met the famed mayor as the 2 sang songs and browse books to NYC pre-schoolers.
Barack Obama and Zohran Mamdani are formally companions in storytime.
The 2 political figures met for the primary time to learn to New York Metropolis pre-schoolers at an early childhood heart within the Bronx. CNN reported that the duo got here collectively April 18 for the occasion, studying from a youngsters’s e-book to the scholars and the general public’s amusement.
The link-up comes as Mamdani rolls out functions for the town’s 2-k program, calling in massive names to assist promote the expanded common childcare initiative. Obama opted to lend his expertise to this system, singing “Wheels on the Bus” with Mamdani to the younger youngsters.
Barack Obama and Zohran Mamdani sing ‘Wheels on the Bus’ at a childcare heart within the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/mdra2jCsJa
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 18, 2026
“In between singing wheels on the bus, the 2 leaders mentioned the Mayor’s imaginative and prescient for the Metropolis and the significance of giving New York’s Cutest the strongest begin potential,” shared Mamdani press secretary Joe Calvello in a press release.
Mamdani has bold plans to meet his guarantees to New Yorkers, one in all which is an enlargement of common childcare. This system will allow hundreds of native households to take part within the initiative, offering dad and mom and youngsters with the chance to develop. He additionally teamed up with Bronx-born rapper Cardi B to additional promote this system.
The 2 leaders met in personal earlier than becoming a member of the classroom, lastly holding a gathering since Mamdani’s appointment this January. With their schedules aligning, Obama and Mamdani determined to spend time with New York Metropolis’s smallest residents.
Nevertheless, Obama and Mamdani didn’t converse with reporters about their shared engagement. As a substitute, they stored their conversations kid-friendly, bypassing the press on their method out.
Whereas Obama didn’t endorse Mamdani throughout his 2025 marketing campaign, he had reportedly reached out to the elected official upon his win in November. Obama instilled recommendation for his upcoming time period, emphasizing the significance of hiring officers who’re devoted to serving to New York and fulfilling his imaginative and prescient for the town.
Obama, nonetheless, isn’t the one president Mamdani has cozied as much as. Surprisingly, the Democratic socialist has a comparatively good relationship with present commander-in-chief Donald Trump. The 2 have met and spoken a number of instances since Mamdani took workplace, with Trump having initially excessive ideas in regards to the NYC mayor.
Nevertheless, their relationship could have taken a dent as Mamdani rolls out one other one in all his guarantees, taxing the wealthy. Trump criticized the pied-à-terre tax, accusing the mayor of “destroying New York” together with his proposition. The coverage locations a tax on NYC householders who don’t primarily reside within the metropolis, and have second properties that worth at over $5 million.
Regardless of the backlash, Mamdani remained unfazed as he continues to place his plans into motion throughout New York Metropolis.
RELATED CONTENT: Trump Accuses Mamdani Of ‘Detroying New York Metropolis’ Following Tax Hike On ‘Wealthy’ Non-Full-Time Residents
