The Brilliant Idiots Cold War
Nov 7, 2025
The hosts dive into the dynamics of the recent New York mayoral election, highlighting Zoran Mamdani's unexpected victory and the influence of affordability issues. They tackle identity politics and the role of New Yorkers, along with the media's impact on candidates. Insights on populism versus establishment politics emerge, as well as discussions about safety, trust-building with the NYPD, and community needs like food access. Lastly, they touch on broader implications for national politics and media interactions in the wake of the election.
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Episode notes
Basics Beat Complexity
- Zoran Mamdani won by running on affordability and basic issues rather than radical rhetoric.
- Charlamagne argues the basics — affordability and safety — still beat complicated identity politics.
Curtis Sliwa Dodged Big Podcasts
- Charlamagne recounts how Curtis Sliwa avoided appearing on their shows and how that raised suspicions.
- He suggests campaign staff might be blocking high-value podcast appearances to control optics.
Populist Playbooks Cross Parties
- Mamdani's message mirrored Trump's playbook: 'New York first' and affordability.
- Andrew and Charlamagne note this crossover shows populist tactics work across the spectrum.
