Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: Obama Envies Dante De Blasio's Afro
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 25, 2013
Modified Sep 25, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 25, 2013
Modified Sep 25, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photograph by Bill Hyers
President Obama capped off a day full of foreign affairs drama with a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee at the Waldorf Astoria. During his address, the leader of the free world took a moment to single out Bill de Blasio, who received Obama's endorsement on Monday, as well as de Blasio's son Dante—and Dante's afro.
Obama called de Blasio "the next mayor of New York City" and heralded "his son, Dante, who has the same hairdo I had back in 1978—although I have to confess, my afro was never that good. It was a little unbalanced."
Photograph by Bill Hyers
De Blasio's campaign manager Bill Hyers took a photograph of the historic meeting and snapped a final one of Dante sitting at a laptop, "Man, Dante's not wasting any time. Study-break to shake hands with the President then straight back to homework."
Photograph by Bill Hyers
Obama's endorsement comes as de Blasio faces criticism from mayoral rival Joe Lhota for his support of the Sandinistas in the late '80s. The NY Times reports that Lhota "showed no signs of backing down, accusing Mr. de Blasio, who as a young man had admired Nicaragua’s leftist Sandinista government, of dishonoring New Yorkers who had escaped 'Marxist tyranny.'"
De Blasio said in an interview with PIX11 earlier in the day, "I think the U.S. policies at that time were wrong. This is something I’ve been open about for years. I was very proud to be involved in that work because I think the United States funding the Contra forces in Central America, intervening in other countries — I think that was bad policy. That was Reagan-Bush policy that was failed and the fact is, people in this country turned against it."
At the fundraiser, Obama said of de Blasio, "We could not be prouder of the campaign Bill ran, the way he gave voice to the values that make us Democrats. And we are confident that he is going to continue to move New York in a direction where everybody has a chance to get ahead. And so we're very proud of him and look forward to seeing him do a great job as the mayor of New York City."
Tagged
bill de blasio
dante de blasio
Election 2013
joe lhota
president obama
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .