Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Barack Obama met for the first time in person on Saturday at a New York City school, where they read a storybook to young children as the mayor navigates a strained relationship with Donald Trump
Former President Barack Obama, left, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani read a book to children(Image: AP)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Barack Obama came together at a New York City school on Saturday – and there were plenty of laughs to be had.
The pair held their first face-to-face meeting at daycare center Learning Through Play Pre-K in New York, where they connected with local families following a private conversation and even sang ‘The Wheels on the Bus’.
The two were captured in photos reading a storybook to enthusiastic young children, while putting aside their ongoing tensions with Donald Trump. It comes after Trump made a disturbing sex comment on stage that silenced the audience.
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Sources indicate that the NYC mayor’s team had spent months working to arrange the sit-down, making it a top priority in recent weeks, with hopes of building on the momentum from the mayor’s first 100 days in office.
In one hilarious moment, the kids revealed that they knew Mamdani’s name. When Obama pushed them for his first name, they replied: “Mayor!”
When the children started singing ‘Soda Pop’ from hit animated movie KPop Demon Hunters, Obama couldn’t resist a little dig at Mamdani.
Obama and Mayor Zohran Mamdani pose for a photo with children at Learning Through Play Pre-K in New York(Image: AP)
After Mamdani asked the kids what song they were singing, Obama said: “I just want you to know that it’s great that you just made the mayor feel really old.”
Mamdani replied: “Very old.”
The duo got down on the floor to read to the kids, with Obama admitting: “Remember in the book it says we’re strong together? You’re going to have to help me get up…. Because I’m old.”
The get-together follows a phone call Obama made to Mamdani back in November, just ahead of the election.
During that conversation, the former president commended Mamdani’s “impressive” campaign and pledged to act as a “sounding board” should he secure victory.
According to The New York Times, the two also discussed the possibility of an in-person meeting, though Washington had been floated as a potential location at that time.
Obama’s gesture of goodwill during the campaign period came after Mamdani’s 2013 social media outburst against the then-president, branding him “pretty damn evil.”
The politicians had a lot of laughter together(Image: AP)
Considering the former president represents the Democratic Party establishment, some members of which remained skeptical of the young socialist during the 2025 New York City mayoral race, the November 1 conversation between Mamdani and Obama was broadly viewed as noteworthy.
The municipal government’s multi-billion-dollar budget deficit represents one of several daunting civic challenges that Mamdani is currently confronting. He’s also engaging with President Trump, with whom Obama is well-acquainted.
When it comes to Trump, the Obama-Mamdani meeting could offer an opportunity for them to share understanding about their particularly fraught dealings with the Republican president.
Yet Mamdani faces potential risks, as Trump, who has characterized Obama as a “terrible” and “ignorant” president, may disapprove of the mayor’s decision to meet with the former commander-in-chief.
The Obama-Mamdani meeting was arranged as the mayor’s previously amicable relationship with the president began displaying signs of tension.
Mamdani recently provoked Trump’s ire by announcing a proposal to levy a pied-à-terre tax on secondary residences worth over $5 million, following their surprising White House discussions in November and February.
In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump — a former real estate developer who has maintained ties with Mamdani over property-related issues — alleged that the mayor is “DESTROYING New York” through taxation, and warned that he would halt federal government “contributing” to the city.
It comes after Kristi Noem was humiliated once again by Trump as he reversed a shock decision.