Former President Obama, Mayor Mamdani meet for first time, read to children at Bronx Pre-K center
SOUTH BRONX (WABC) -- Mayor Zohran Mamdani spent part of his Saturday in the Bronx with young school children - and former President Barack Obama.
Both Obama and Mamdani spoke after the mayor's historic election last year, but the event at 'Learning Through Play Pre-K Center' is the first time they have met face-to-face. They spent their time reading children's books and getting to know each other.
Obama playfully asked Mamdani what it means to 'flourish' when the word appeared in the book the two were reading to a class of 3K and Pre-K children called 'Alone and Together.'
WATCH: Former President Barack Obama and Mayor Zohran Mamdani read to school children in the Bronx:
"Together we flourish! What does 'flourish' mean? Mr. Mayor?" said Obama.
"I knew you were going to pass that to me. It means that we're doing really well," answered Mamdani.
It was the first time Obama and Mamdani publicly appeared together, but Eyewitness News is told they had a private conversation before reading to the children and singing 'Wheels on The Bus.' Obama spent 30 minutes on the phone with Mamdani just before Election Day, reportedly calling him 'impressive to watch,' and offered to be a sounding board for the new mayor.
It seemed like the perfect time for the two to appear together now that Mamdani has logged 100 days in office and is in the midst of implementing the city's first 2K program to provide free full-day childcare to two-year-olds.
Obama posted on X on Saturday night saying it was great spending time with 'New York City's Cutest,' thanking Mamdani for the chance to break out his best 'Wheels on the Bus.'
Eyewitness News asked Obama what he thinks of Mamdani in his first 100 days as mayor.
"Well, I'll tell you - I'll do this somewhere else," Obama said.
The former president indicated that he felt more comfortable answering that question in a different venue. Even so - it appears Mayor Mamdani and former President Obama are continuing to build their relationship - notable, considering the divide that has existed in the Democratic Party and the willingness of Obama to get closer to the Democratic Socialist mayor.
