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Former US President Barack Obama praised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him an 'extraordinary talent'. His remarks came as Obama shrugged off concerns regarding an ongoing rift in the Democratic Party.
A file image of Former President Barack Obama and Mayor Zohran Mamdani singing 'Wheels on the Bus' to children at Learning Through Play Pre-K in the Bronx in New York(AP)Former US President Barack Obama recently praised New York City's Mayor Zohran Mamdani, stating that he is an 'extraordinary talent', Fox News reported Wednesday.
Obama, in a pre-recorded interview, discussed the direction of the Democratic Party, especially regarding the ongoing rift between the liberal and the progressive wings.
When asked what direction, according to Obama, would be best for the party to actually achieve change, the former US President shrugged off concerns regarding the ongoing rift and said, "I'm not so worried about this so-called rift between the left and liberals, as you described it." He went on to say, "Because I think that within the Democratic Party, and I would argue a bunch of independents and even some Republicans as well, there's an overarching belief in equality, fairness, if you work, then you should be able to make a living wage and support a family and retire with dignity... There are a bunch of things that we agree on. And it's really more of a question of what are the specific things that we have to do."
Obama praises Mamdani
Shifting his focus to Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, Obama noted, "You look at somebody like Mamdani, who I think is an extraordinary talent," he continued. "He wants people to be able to afford housing in New York. Well, you know, I would assume liberals in New York want the same thing. And so I don't worry as much about some of these issues within the Democratic Party."
The former president noted that Mamdani, unlike many others, talks like he is not in a college seminar. When Stephen Colbert pointed out that not only does Mamdani talk like a normal person, but he lives a normal life and names what is obviously wrong, Obama agreed and said, "And not have a bunch of gobbledygook around it... Just talk like normal people talk."
Obama raises concerns over Trump's second term
During the interview, he also laid out some specific concerns regarding US President Donald Trump's second term and noted that the Department of Justice (DOJ) should remain independent from the White House and not be used as a tool to go after enemies. The country’s democracy can “survive a lot,” the former president said, but “we can’t overcome the politicization of the criminal justice system.” Without naming Trump directly, he added that the Attorney General must be able to operate independently from the whims of a president. “The idea is that the attorney general is the people’s lawyer," he said, adding, “It’s not the president’s consigliere.”
Obama meets Mamdani for the first time
Earlier in April, Obama met with the New York City mayor for the first time at a child care center, where they read to preschoolers and led a sing-along, AP reported.
The meeting came as Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is also trying to build a working relationship with Republican President Trump. The meeting came just over a week after Mamdani marked his 100th day in office.
The former two-term president and Democratic Party leader has offered to advise Mamdani, 34, whose youth, rising popularity, and progressive agenda have set him apart in the party.
NYC's first Muslim mayor's meeting with Obama comes after he has already met twice with Trump at the White House, in November and February, to discuss issues affecting the city.
Key Takeaways
- Obama encourages collaboration within the Democratic Party despite ideological rifts.
- Mamdani's approachability and relatability set him apart in political discourse.
- The importance of independent justice systems in maintaining democracy was emphasized.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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