Former US President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a quiet moment Saturday during a visit to a Bronx childcare center, where they read to children and joined in a singalong.
The pair first met at the Pre-K Learning Through Play Center, engaging with preschoolers as they read “Alone and together” and led a rendition of the nursery rhyme “Wheels on the bus.” Videos shared on social media showed the two waving, singing along and sharing playful moments with the children.
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In a post on X, Mamdani said the visit included discussions about his administration’s vision for New York City, focused on giving children the “strongest start possible” and building a more supportive environment for young learners.
Today, President Barack Obama and I read to a group of toddlers at the Pre-K Learning Through Play Center in the South Bronx.
In between carols on the bus, we discussed our administration’s vision for this city—a city where New York’s finest have the strongest possible start. pic.twitter.com/U9e1c1LzQf
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 18, 2026
Obama also tweeted about the meeting, describing it as a “great time with New York City’s coolest” and joking about singing. “Wheels on the Bus” during the visit.
Great time with New York City’s Cutest. And thank you @NYCMayor which gave me an excuse to break out my best Wheels on the Bus pic.twitter.com/RxJ7ZRZse6
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 18, 2026
The event also included meetings with families and brief discussions about Mamdani’s policy priorities since taking office in January, which have focused on making New York City more affordable and strengthening support for the working class.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, recently marked his 100th year in office and has worked to build relationships across the political spectrum, including with US President Donald Trump.
