Mamdani, Obama reads to children in the Bronx
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani met with former President Barack Obama on Saturday to read to preschoolers in the Bronx.
Fox – 5 New York
Former President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani visited an early childhood center in the Bronx on April 18, where they read to children and sang “Wheels on the Bus.”
This will be the first time the two men will meet in person. The two had previously spoken on the phone when President Obama called Mamdani during last year’s mayoral campaign.
The visit also came days after Mamdani celebrated his 100th day in office. The 34-year-old former congressman took office in January, becoming New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
Free childcare was one of Mamdani’s key policy proposals during the election campaign.
Regarding Obama and Mamdani’s meeting, the mayor’s office said in a statement: “In between the singing wheels of the bus, the two leaders discussed the Mayor’s vision for our city and the importance of giving New York’s cutest city the strongest start possible.”
Obama and Mamdani meet at kindergarten in New York City
Mr. Obama and Mr. Mamdani visited the Learning Through Play Pre-K Center in the South Bronx and met with the preschool class and teacher, Ms. Jones.
Once they were seated, the children told the politicians they knew the mayor’s name and then called out “Mamdani.”
When President Obama asked, “What’s his first name?” one of the preschoolers said, “The Mayor.”
“The mayor? Is his name the mayor?” Obama repeated, to which Mamdani replied, “Yes, I’m the mayor.”
They read Emily Chezerin’s Alone & Together, a children’s picture book about the importance of community and friendship.
Afterwards, the class sang “Wheels on the Bus” and then took pictures.
President Obama later wrote on social media: “I had an amazing time with some of the cutest people in New York City. And thank you @NYCMayor for giving me an excuse to show off my best Wheels on the Bus.”
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
