Birds of a political feather flock together, and that might explain how two of the biggest socialist influences in US history ended up singing and dancing in front of a class of preschoolers in the Bronx.
While leftists lapped up the appearance by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Barack Obama at the school, many others lamented their influence on the next generation of New Yorkers.
As Politico reported, there wasn’t much evidence that the two discussed anything of substance outside of singing appropriately simplistic songs about public transportation:
“This is what we need, making an investment in these amazing kids,” Obama told reporters as he and Mamdani left the facility, giving a boost to the mayor’s vision for child care.
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A spokesperson for Mamdani, who marked his 100th day as mayor on April 10, provided scant detail on what Obama and the mayor talked about in private beyond child care.
“In between singing ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ the two leaders discussed the mayor’s vision for the city and the importance of giving New York’s Cutest the strongest start possible,” spokesperson Joe Calvello said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Obama declined to comment beyond Calvello’s readout.
The obvious photo op produced more than a few Bronx cheers:
If you told the Founding Fathers that this was the future of America they would’ve gave up on the revolution and went back to England https://t.co/fEKjV3OZC2
— Rock (@TheCensoredRock) April 18, 2026
The Democratic Party is going to kick and scream its way into adopting more democratic socialist policies.
Obama joining Mamdani at a child care center in NYC is positioning.
He signaling to party establishment (positive).
— Wilsar (@CallMeWilsar) April 18, 2026
Seeing little girls in hijabs makes me sick
Islam has no place in the West
If that makes me islamophobic so be it https://t.co/x73ig46AcH
— Humble Flow (@HumbleFlow) April 18, 2026
The Hill also reported on the meeting between Mamdani and Obama:
Clips shared to social media showed Obama and Mamdani joking together, including one instance in which the former president ribbed the mayor for not recognizing the lyrics to a song from Netflix’s hit animated film “K Pop Demon Hunters.”
“What song is that?” Mamdani asked, after the children finished their rendition.
“Soda Pop,” they replied, enthusiastically.
“I just want you to know that it’s great that you just made the mayor feel really old, which is fantastic,” Obama said, patting Mamdani on the back.
“Incredibly old,” Mamdani responded.
There were few details as to what Obama and Mamdani spoke about in a reported private meeting beforehand, with the only glimpse into their conversation coming in a social media post from the mayor.
Of course, this wasn’t the newly minted mayor’s first experience as a preschool crooner. Earlier this year, he appeared alongside children’s YouTube star Ms. Rachel, who herself has been the subject of controversy over what critics say are antisemitic views:
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