Former President Barack Obama made a notable move in the lead-up to the New York City mayoral election by engaging in a roughly 30-minute phone conversation with Zohran Mamdani. During the call, Obama praised Mamdani’s campaign, stating he found it “impressive,” and offered to provide ongoing advice—notably on assembling a new administration and tackling housing affordability.
While no formal endorsement was given, Obama’s willingness to act as a “sounding board” places him in a supportive role behind the scenes. The two reportedly plan to meet in Washington D.C. in the coming weeks.
Mamdani acknowledged the call and said he drew inspiration for a recent speech on Islamophobia from Obama’s 2008 address on race. Despite past criticism of Obama—Mamdani once called him “pretty damn evil” in tweets—the two appear to be bridging past disagreements in favour of political connection.
The exchange signals something important for Mamdani’s campaign: the appearance of institutional interest and potentially broader establishment acceptance. It may help assuage concerns among moderate Democrats who view him as too far-left.
That said, the lack of a formal endorsement keeps some ambiguity in the partnership—raising questions about how far Obama intends to engage. For voters and observers, the call serves as both a symbolic watershed moment and a strategic asset in the candidate’s effort to build credibility.
