Obama and Mayor Mamdani Meet in the Bronx

Former President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani met in person for the first time on Saturday. They spent time reading and singing with children at a childcare center in the Bronx, engaging in what seemed to be a joyful atmosphere.

Video clips captured the leaders sharing laughs, reading children’s books, and even performing “Wheels on the Bus” at the Learning Through Play Pre-K Center. It looked like a genuinely fun experience for everyone involved.

The two also took a moment to meet Mamdani’s family and discuss his vision for New York City. The mayor emphasized the necessity of giving “New York’s Cute City the strongest possible start,” as stated by his office.

Interestingly, although Obama and Mamdani hadn’t met in person prior to this visit, the former president reached out to offer his support just before the election, reportedly volunteering as a consultant.

As Mamdani approaches his 100th day in office, he reaffirmed a commitment to open five government-run grocery stores by the end of his first term in January 2030—a promise he made during his campaign.

There’s some concern on Mamdani’s part about whether his socialist policies will be effective outside the confines of New York City. A recent poll indicated that 48% of voters approve of his performance thus far, while 30% disapprove, and 23% remain uncertain.

On a brighter note, 56% of residents indicated they like the direction the city is heading under Mamdani, which is a significant increase from 31% who felt similarly in October.