Coffee and a Mike Matt Bracken #1247
Nov 8, 2025
Matt Bracken, a former Navy SEAL, author, and historian, dives into the electric landscape of politics and finance. He critiques Zohran Mamdani's mayoral rise and discusses how political 'magic doors' launch careers. The conversation shifts to Michael Burry’s bold moves against Palantir and NVIDIA, revealing the risks of inflated tech profits and the potential fallout for pension funds. Bracken also warns about the impacts of a government shutdown, urban unrest, and systemic risks looming on the horizon, offering a sobering look at our uncertain future.
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How Motor-Voter Changed NYC Politics
- New immigrant voting dynamics and motor-voter policies reshaped NYC politics over decades.
- Matt Bracken argues DMV-linked registration and family reunification create durable Democratic voting blocs.
The 'Magic Door' Career Trajectory
- Bracken compares magic-door political anointings to Obama-style rapid rises.
- He says talented candidates get opened doors by networks that propel them from local to national power.
Reject Carrots That Come With Strings
- Avoid accepting invitations that come with implicit strings like Mar-a-Lago access.
- Bracken recommends staying independent rather than trading controversial topics for big platform reach.