Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani said he spoke with former president Barack Obama about hope in politics after his New York City mayoral primary win in June.

Democratic insiders say former President Barack Obama’s acknowledgement of Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy for New York City mayor is a major win for his campaign regardless if it leads to

al campaign in many ways — as Al Sharpton, Letitia James and other Democrats have noted — albeit on a much smaller political battlefield. But Obama and Mamdani also have the common experience of being Donald Trump’s bogeyman.

The New York Times’ Mara Gay reports former President Obama picked up the phone for a “lengthy call” with Zohran Mamdani after his NYC mayoral primary win in June. Christina Greer and Max Rose join to discuss.

Obama is still highly popular within the party, and his signaled support for the Democratic socialist starkly contrasts with New York congressional leaders.

The former president held a lengthy call with the DSA mayoral candidate, underscoring that Mamdani poses no threat to the interests of the ruling class.

The Obama world is reportedly open the prospect of socialist Zohran Mamdani leading New York City including Obama ally Patrick Gaspard who is said to be advising the campaign.

Explore the reactions of the Democratic establishment, including Obama's advisors, to Zohran Mamdani's mayoral primary victory in City and the potential impact on the party's future.

Zohran Mamdani said he has spoken to Barack Obama “a number of times” since he trounced the Democratic establishment candidate Andrew Cuomo in the party’s mayoral primary.