Meet the “burn it all down” dems, from Abdul to Kamala, Mayor Pete to holiday-hating Francesca Hong

Summary

Podcast Summary: 10 Minute Drill

Episode: Meet the “burn it all down” dems – from Abdul to Kamala, Mayor Pete to holiday-hating Francesca Hong
Host: Matt Whitlock
Date: August 6, 2026
Duration: ~10 minutes

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Overview

Matt Whitlock delivers a brisk, pointed rundown of the rising influence of progressive and socialist-aligned Democrats, focusing on controversial policy positions and electoral strategies. The episode highlights recent primary victories, ideological divisions, and key figures—Abdul El Sayed, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Francesca Hong—whom Whitlock argues represent a faction eager to "burn it all down" within the Democratic Party.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Abdul El Sayed’s Michigan Primary Win & Its Fallout

[00:44–05:02]

• Polling Errors: Whitlock reviews how polls overestimated El Sayed’s support, giving him double-digit leads over Haley Stevens. In reality, last-minute turnout (especially among Black voters in Detroit) narrowed his margin significantly.
• Uncommitted Movement Backlash: El Sayed’s prior support for the “uncommitted” movement in the 2024 primary—seen as a protest against Biden for not being anti-Israel enough—is described as alienating Black Democrats.

  “He’s hampered by lingering resentment from prominent black Democrats who view his initial support for the uncommitted movement in the state’s 2024 presidential primary as ultimately helping President Donald Trump win Michigan that November…” — [01:41] (Host)

• Allegations of Racism: Some interpret El Sayed’s stance as racial animosity toward Kamala Harris, the “first black female presidential candidate from either party.”
• Socialist Affiliations: Whitlock criticizes El Sayed’s attempts to distance himself from the Democratic Socialists of America, highlighting his endorsements from figures like Bernie Sanders and AOC.

  “If he walks like a socialist, if he talks like a socialist, if he votes like a socialist on issues, he’s a socialist.” — [03:12] (Host)

• National Security Controversies: Whitlock brings up Republican Mike Rogers’ attack ad linking El Sayed to alleged anti-American and terrorist-sympathizing attitudes, including commentary about America “deserving 9/11” and sympathy for Iranian and Palestinian terrorists.

  “Never in a million years did I think I would be running against someone who believes America deserved 9/11.” — [03:27] (Mike Rogers, cited by Host)

2. Medicare for All & Socialist Policy Messaging

[05:25–06:41]

• DSA’s Medicare for All Platform: Whitlock summarizes DSA’s pledge: no premiums or copays, funded by taxation—including for non-citizens. He frames this as “free stuff” rhetoric with later tax hikes.

  “They want you to believe it’s free because that is the thesis of all socialism.” — [05:51] (Host)

• Public Opposition to Single-payer: Citing a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, Whitlock contends support for Medicare for All collapses when people realize it could mean higher taxes, longer waits, or the end of private insurance.

  “…when people hear it will eliminate private health insurance companies, 58% oppose it.” — [06:32] (Host)

3. Francesca Hong: Candidate Who "Hates Holidays"

[06:41–08:37]

• Social Media Highlights: Whitlock delivers a “super cut” of Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong’s opinions, noting her aversion to nearly every major holiday and controversial stances on tipping and climate change.

  “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done it in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism…so be it.” — [07:49] (Whitlock quoting Hong)

• Relevant to Swing State Politics: Whitlock points out Hong’s likely nomination in a major swing state and warns of polling errors that could overstate her strength, echoing Michigan’s experience.

4. Pete Buttigieg: “Blow Up the System”

[08:37–11:37]

• Abolishing the Electoral College: Buttigieg's recent podcast comments supporting the end of the Electoral College are played.

  “And I still can’t believe that anybody considers this radical.” — [10:32] (Buttigieg)

• Reforming the Supreme Court: Whitlock highlights Buttigieg’s advocacy for court-packing and term limits as radical, questioning its mainstream acceptability.

  “Supreme Court needs to change.” — [10:47] (Buttigieg)

• Taxes & Infrastructure: Buttigieg argues for fairer tax enforcement to fund “good healthcare” and “fast trains.” Whitlock sharply disputes this, insisting California’s high taxes haven’t yielded promised rail projects and that hospital funding shortfalls are due to Democratic “waste, fraud, and abuse.”

  “[High-speed rail] has nothing to do with a tax system. And also the issue for rural hospitals not having enough money has nothing to do with our tax system.” — [11:37] (Host)

5. Kamala Harris & The “Burn It All Down” Message

[11:41–13:39]

• Extreme Policy Proposals: Whitlock characterizes Harris’s post-2024 platform—expanded Supreme Court, Electoral College elimination, D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood—as out-of-touch, sarcastically dubbing her the “burn it all down” candidate.

  “For Kamala Harris, the lesson from 2024 should have been just be normal…” — [12:14] (Host) “We need to revisit the electoral college. We need to revisit the point of expanding the court to 13 justices…” — [13:15] (Activist, attributed to Harris)

• Electoral Futility: Whitlock points out that these radical reforms wouldn’t have prevented her 2024 defeat, even in the popular vote.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DSA Branding:

  “If he walks like a socialist, if he talks like a socialist, if he votes like a socialist… he’s a socialist.” — [03:12] (Host)

• On Medicare for All:

  “They want you to believe it’s free because that is the thesis of all socialism. Free stuff. And you know, we’ll talk about how you pay for it later.” — [05:51] (Host)

• On Francesca Hong & Thanksgiving:

  “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done it in 1621… we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original super spreader event that killed indigenous folks.” — [07:49] (Hong, paraphrased)

• On Buttigieg’s Radicalism:

  “And I still can’t believe that anybody considers this radical.” — [10:32] (Buttigieg, on abolishing the Electoral College) “Supreme Court needs to change.” — [10:47] (Buttigieg)

• On Harris’s Platform:

  “Her message is burn it all down.” — [13:39] (Host summarizing Harris)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Abdul El Sayed’s Michigan fallout: [00:44–05:02]
• Medicare for All debate: [05:25–06:41]
• Francesca Hong’s holiday stance: [06:41–08:37]
• Pete Buttigieg and Democratic party radicalism: [08:37–11:37]
• Kamala Harris’s “burn it all down” message: [11:41–13:39]

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Takeaways

Whitlock uses sharp, often sarcastic commentary to connect perceived Democratic radicalism—from socialist healthcare platforms to institutional reforms and culture-war stances—into a unified critique. The episode frames the Democratic Party's progressive wing as out of touch with mainstream voters and vulnerable to backlash, especially as 2028 approaches and new faces emerge trying to lead the party further left.

This summary reflects the original tone, critiques, and selections presented by the host, intended for listeners seeking a rapid, critical overview of the American political landscape heading into the next election cycle.

Transcript

[Host]

Continued fallout from Abdul El Sayed win in Michigan. We talk about the Democrat candidate that wants to cancel all the holidays. And lastly, a number of Democrats who simply want to burn it all down. We break it down for you. All that and so much more today on 10 Minute Drill.

[Activist]

Everybody get up. Get up.

[Host]

The story of America is the story of an adventure. I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

We are a nation under God and

[Host]

I believe God intended for us to be free.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

You know, they think they want to use my whole name against me. Mike, listen, man, if you can't say the name, it's Abd Al Rahman. Keep the name out your damn mouth.

[Host]

As we continue to look at the fallout from Abdul Al Said's win in Michigan, one note that a lot of people are making is the pollsters missed wildly. Now, Abdul and his supporters were quick to promote polls that suggested he might win by 13 to 15 points. And one of Abdul's prominent supporters even suggested that Haley Stevens own pollster was telling her they have no chance to win that could have actually had an impact on suppressing the vote of Haley Stevens. But let's look at some of these final polls. Mitchell Research had Abdul Al said winning by 14. Emerson had him winning by 15. Tavern Research had him winning by 10. Tolchin Research had him winning by 16. DFP had him winning by 13. Now here on 10 Minute Drill we had a much more realistic understanding, particularly after Haley Stevens had a last minute mobilization, particularly of black voters, which did have a major impact in places like Detroit or if you look at for example, the Detroit mail in voting totals where Haley Stevens won by more than 50. So Abdul barely scratching this out suggests that he has a ton of work to do between now and November. And there's a number of major questions about things that might impact his ability to do this. For example, something that really hurt him with black voters and dogged him throughout this primary was his role in 2024 of convincing Democrats not to turn out for the Democrat ticket. This from cnn. He's hampered by lingering resentment from prominent black Democrats who view his initial support for the uncommitted movement in the state's 2024 presidential primary as ultimately helping President Donald Trump win Michigan that November and who worry about his campaign's first focus on opposing US Support for Israel. Now that uncommitted movement was a pushback on Joe Biden for not being sufficiently anti Israel. And Abdul Al said and others suggested that people not vote for Biden, which carried over into a lack of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in 2024, losing her that seat. And a lot of black voters have suggested that one of the reasons for Abdul's efforts there might have been racism towards the first black female presidential candidate from either party. That was a huge deal. Another thing that Abdul's trying to back on is his own sort of membership within the Democrat Socialists of America or his own brand as a socialist. He will tell people he's not a socialist, but I have trouble believing that because one, he embraces all of their policies. His number one issue has been Medicare for all, which is the primary banner position of all the socialists. Two, he exclusively hangs out with Democrat socialists. Everyone from Bernie Sanders to AOC to Hasan Piker. All of his primary endorsers were Democrat socialist. If he walks like a socialist, if he talks like a socialist, if he votes like a socialist on issues, he's a socialist. So now Abdul is going to go up in a general against Mike Rogers. Now, Mike Rogers only lost in 2024 by 19,000 votes. That was to a significantly better Democrat in Alissa slotkin, who outspent him 5 1. He came out with a statement right after Abdul Al Said was declared the winner, saying in part this. I spent years hunting terrorists and bringing Osama bin Laden justice. Never in a million years did I think I would be running against someone who believes America deserved 9 11. Now, Abdul's supporters are trying to push back and say he doesn't necessarily believe America deserved 9 11. However, Abdul is spending all of his time with Hasan Piker, who explicitly said America deserved 9 11. And it's also important to remember the term terrorist sympathizer isn't an exaggeration for Abdul Al Sayed. Because when the Ayatollah was killed in Iran, his first concern was sympathy for people who might be upset about the death of the Ayatollah who had killed thousands of Americans. And when a terrorist attempted to attack a Jewish preschool, his first reaction wasn't, I'm glad those children are safe. It was hurt people, hurt people.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

I think it's just critical for us to understand that hurt people do hurt

[Host]

people, describing the fact that this terrorist was likely motivated by anger about the situation in Gaza. So again, sympathizing with terrorists. But Mike Rogers had a great ad highlighting one of Abdul's biggest vulnerabilities abilities, which will be his association with people who hate America.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

I'm not here to disavow people's views.

[Host]

America deserved 9 11. Dude, when I was in college, I took a terrorism class, you know, There

[Activist]

needs to be unrest in the streets for as long as there is unrest in our lives.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

I'm not here to disavow people's view. The people who listen to Hasan are engaging in faith. They want a way forward into our politics.

[Host]

As I mentioned before, one of the top issues Abdul has been focused on that a number of Democrat socialists have been campaigning on is the issue of Medicare for All.

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

I just hope that I can help to carry some of that load in the fight for working people and Medicare for All.

[Host]

Now if you look at the DSA website, they are very explicit about their vision for Medicare for all. 2 points. Free at point of service all healthcare costs will be financed through tax contributions based on ability to pay, no CO pays, no fees, no deductibles, and no premiums ever. That's a really important point. Free at the point of pay because they have to add that disclaimer at the point of payment because you will be paying with it through higher taxes. But they want you to believe it's free because that is the thesis of all socialism. Free stuff. And you know, we'll talk about how you pay for it later. Second point, universal coverage coverage for all United States residents, non citizens included. So again, the Democrat socialists want to raise your taxes to pay for free health care for illegal immigrants. And Abdul Al Said is going to be dogged by this issue the same way Kamala Harris was dogged by it. Because you may remember in 2020 she said this. I believe it will totally eliminate private insurance.

[Activist]

So for people out there who like

[Democrat Socialist Supporter]

their insurance, they don't get to keep it.

[Activist]

Let's eliminate all of that.

[Host]

Now you'll remember that Kamala Harris made Those comments in 2020 about Medicare for All and about banning private health insurance. And they were so bad and so unpopular that they helped crush her campaign four years later in 2024. Because as we've seen since Medicare for All was first discussed and introduced, when people learn about what Medicare for All entails, they hate it. For example, this from Kaiser Family Foundation Attitudes shift after hearing messages about how Medicare for All would impact the current system. When people hear that it would lead to delays in getting some medical tests and treatments, 70% oppose it. When people hear it will threaten the current Medicare program, 60% oppose it. When people hear that it will require most Americans to pay more in taxes, 60% oppose it. And when people hear it will eliminate private health insurance companies, 58% oppose it. As with every shiny rainbow and unicorn proposal from these Democrat socialists, the the proof is in the pudding and when you hear what it will actually lead to, it becomes a political cancer. And Abdul Assad is going to have to face this. Because even if a lot of Americans don't have a ton of confidence or satisfaction with the healthcare in the system right now, the idea of disrupting it, of taking away their current plans, of making them pay more for a lower quality of care, they will oppose that violently. And that is true of all of these new DSA candidates coming into Washington again promising rainbows and unicorns. Yesterday we had a super cut of Wisconsin Democrat gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong and her views on a lot of crazy things. Today we wanted to take just a quick minute and highlight Hong hates holidays because it's fascinating what she seems to have issues with every holidays. First, I do not Enjoy fireworks from 2019. IT bro who was working on our computer remotely change the background theme to snow and Christmas trees. I feel slightly attacked in the car headed to Superior. I have about 30 minutes. Ask me anything and I'll try to answer Only subject off limits is Halloween not my thing. I don't allow myself to work Halloween weekend or the day of. I would actually ask every single person in costume to leave. Of course the one we talked about yesterday that set up all of the conversation about Thanksgiving cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done it in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original super spreader event that killed indigenous folks folx and women, so be it. So again, as we talked about yesterday, she thinks tipping is racist, she thinks climate change is the result of white supremacy. But now we also know she hates every holiday. This is relevant in part because again, this woman is slated to become the Democrats nominee for governor and one of the most important swing states in America. There are some questions about the polls because as we saw with Abdul Al Sayed, pollsters were overwhelmingly weighting urban areas and rich white liberals and so they were wildly off by about 14 or 15 points. Francesca Hong does not have the same kind of competitive secondary person that we saw in Michigan with Abdul Al Assad and Haley Stevens. So I still believe her lead may be secure, but it will be interesting to watch up until next Tuesday's primary. As we get closer to 2028, we're seeing more and more of the potential Democrat presidential candidates poking their heads back out. Now one person who may, next to Ro Khanna, have the least self awareness in American politics is Pete Buttigieg. He made some news in a podcast this week as he's trying to sort of create a new brand for himself that can compete with the radicals who have taken over the Democrat Party. First. Here he is on ending the Electoral College. You're keen to remove the Electoral College?

[Pete Buttigieg]

Yeah.

[Host]

And do it based on numbers, the quantity of votes for either presidential candidate.

[Pete Buttigieg]

And I still can't believe that anybody considers this radical.

[Host]

Pete can't understand why people would think it's radical to get rid of the system we've relied on to ensure we have fair presidential representation for all this time. But he also thinks we need to blow up the Supreme Court.

[Pete Buttigieg]

Supreme Court needs to change.

[Host]

What do you do to the Supreme Court?

[Pete Buttigieg]

I would have term limits, more justices.

[Host]

How would that work? And also, are you open to adding to it right now or are you just hoping that a Democrat wins and they have the opportunity to remake the Supreme Court? Because Democrats have continued to lose elections and miss out on the opportunity to put more left leaning justices on the Supreme Court. But he also got into our tax system and this really got under my skin because he repeated something that I think is kind of dumb. First, on the fairness of the tax system.

[Pete Buttigieg]

We figure out a way to make sure you can't hide all of your wealth or all of your income from being fairly taxed. We would be out of this doom loop we're in where they're saying, well, we can't possibly have as good healthcare as other countries. We couldn't possibly do something like, I don't know, fast trains here in the United States. We couldn't possibly have rural hospitals be properly funded.

[Host]

Or if you've looked at the system in California, you know that the reason we don't have faster trains has nothing to do with the taxes. Californians pay some of the highest taxes in America. And yet despite about a quarter of a trillion dollar budget, they're still not going to have high speed rail that connects LA and San Francisco. It has nothing to do with a tax system. And also the issue for rural hospitals not having enough money has nothing to do with our tax system. It has to do with Democrats finding ways to take money from rural hospitals and give it to rich urban hospitals to pay CEOs massive salaries and build things like NBA practice facilities. Again, with tax dollars in revenue that were intended to help poor or patients at rural hospitals. So again, it's not a fairness in the system issue. It's a Democrat created waste, fraud and abuse issue. And I will never be able to take Mayor Pete seriously. Not just because he's never done anything besides be the mayor of South Bend who someday thinks he should just be president because he's got an interesting way of speaking, but because he plays dumb on so many of these issues. For you can't make it up segment today, we have another Democrat just like Mayor Pete who wants to burn it all down. Now for Kamala Harris, the lesson from 2024 should have been just be normal. The main thing that she was attacked for was things like supporting taxpayer funded sex change surgeries for detained illegal immigrants and things like banning private health insurance, things that voters thought were just too extreme. So again, message from voters to Democrats after 2024, just be normal. But for Kamala Harris, this is what she wants to do instead.

[Activist]

We need to revisit the electoral college. We need to to revisit the point of expanding the court to 13 justices. Like we have 13 district courts. We need to revisit if they so want statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C.

[Host]

her messages burn it all down. And I think part of the reason it's funny for her to talk about needing to get rid of the electoral college is even if they'd gotten rid of the electoral college ahead of 2024, she still would have lost significantly because she got crushed even on the popular vote. But again, I believe Kamala Harris is just out there to make great ad content for us so that she never leaves the airwaves. That is all the time we have for today. Thank you so much for joining us on 10 Minute Drill. Please leave us a review, leave us a rating, Tell your friends and have a great day.