Barack Obama meets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for Bronx child care visit and singalong

Former US President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a light-hearted moment on Saturday during a visit to a child care centre in Bronx, where they read to children and joined a singalong.

The pair met for the first time at the Learning Through Play Pre-K Center, engaging with preschoolers as they read “Alone and Together” and led a rendition of the nursery rhyme “The Wheels on the Bus.” Videos shared on social media showed the two waving, singing along, and joining in 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 Learning Through Play Pre-K Center in the South Bronx.

In between singing wheels on the bus, we discussed our administration’s vision for this City — one where New York’s Cutest have the strongest start possible. pic.twitter.com/U9e1c1LzQf

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) April 18, 2026

Obama also posted about the encounter, describing it as “great spending time with New York City’s cutest,” and joking about singing “Wheels on the Bus” during the visit.

Great spending time with New York City’s Cutest. And thanks to @NYCMayor for giving 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 centred on making New York City more affordable and strengthening support for the working class.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, recently marked his 100th day in office and has been working to establish relationships across the political spectrum, including with US President Donald Trump.