Podcast Summary

Podcast: After Party with Emily Jashinsky
Episode: Mamdani Wins, What the Right Gets Wrong, PLUS MTG in the Lioness Den, with Victor Davis Hanson
Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Emily Jashinsky (MK Media)
Guest: Victor Davis Hanson (Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Emily Jashinsky is joined by historian and commentator Victor Davis Hanson for a post-Election Day breakdown. They analyze the victory of Zoram Mamdani in New York City, discuss what the election results mean for both Democrats and Republicans, and explore broader trends driving American politics today. The discussion delves into political strategy, cultural identity, and media narratives, with further commentary on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s media tour and cultural coverage, including a critical look at Apple TV’s The Morning Show.

Key Segments & Timestamps

Introduction to Election Analysis

• [04:22] Emily welcomes Victor Davis Hanson to discuss reactions to Election Day, focusing on Mamdani’s win in NYC and implications for the right.

Segment 1: Zoram Mamdani and the Meaning of Democratic Socialism

Timestamps: 04:32 – 12:28

Discussion Points:

• Analysis of Mamdani’s Victory Speech (Jawaharlal Nehru, Eugene Debs references)
  • Quote (Mamdani’s Speech):
    “A moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation... Long suppressed, finds utterance.” (05:13)
• Victor’s Take:
  • Mamdani follows a pattern common with socialists who initially brand themselves as "democratic socialists" for electability (“All socialists say they're democratic socialists at one point, otherwise they would never be elected.” - 06:07)
  • Discusses Mamdani’s affluent immigrant background and critiques his use of anti-Israel rhetoric.
  • Points to demographic changes and fractured opposition as keys to Mamdani’s win.
  • Criticizes Mamdani’s lack of understanding of American federalism and history:
    • Quote:
      “He has no idea of Article 6 of the Constitution... That's the supremacy clause... He doesn't understand our system of federalism... It's not his city completely.” (09:00)
  • Warns Mamdani's stance on ICE portends dangerous federal-state conflict:
    • “We’re getting to a point... like the 1850s... these people are ignorant of history, but it's nullification of federal law. It's illegal.” (12:05)

Segment 2: American Culture, Multiculturalism, and Class

Timestamps: 12:28 – 16:50

Discussion Points:

• Debate over “American Identity”:
  • Jennifer Welch (progressive podcaster) claims “Americans have no culture except for multiculturalism.”
  • Victor pushes back, citing American literature, the Constitution, and middle-class culture:
    • Quote:
      “We have a rich literature... We have the only constitution of its kind in the world... There's a unique American middle class culture.” (13:31)
• Class and Race Discussion:
  • Victor details differences between real working-class whites and the “prestige” whites Welch references:
    • “She's never seen poor white people... In actual numbers… they’re the largest group of impoverished people in the world.” (13:31)
• Obama-era “Diversity” Politics:
  • Victor criticizes the black/white binary and pivot to diversity that overlooks class realities.

Segment 3: Post-Election Reflections for the Right

Timestamps: 16:50 – 25:32

Discussion Points:

• Reactions from Vivek Ramaswamy & JD Vance:
  • Ramaswamy’s message: Republicans should focus on affordability and “cut out the identity politics.”
  • Quote (Vivek Ramaswamy):
    “Our side needs to focus on affordability... and cut out the identity politics. We care about the content of your character.” (18:10)
• Victor's Critique of GOP Strategy:
  • Argues Republicans are mired in infighting, chaos, and get distracted by non-core issues.
  • Asserts the “shutdown” is weaponized chaos, serving Democratic narratives.
  • “The Republicans, they don't need to get in a big fight over... all of these Twitter stuff. All it's going to be adjudicated is the economy.” (22:30)
• Core Issues:
  • Economy should be front and center (“It's the economy, stupid.”).
  • Warns about missed messaging on affordability, crime, border, and foreign policy.

Segment 4: The Jay Jones “Scandal” and the Resilience of the Progressive Base

Timestamps: 25:32 – 31:58

Discussion Points:

• Jay Jones' Offensive Texts:
  • Despite text messages wishing harm on political opponents, Jones still wins.
  • Victor: Negative advertising has little effect on committed left-wing candidates whose base is “hardcore socialists.”
  • “There is no such thing as negative advertising against this type... People are dedicated, and to the degree you think you're going to shame them with scandal, it doesn't work.” (26:24)
• Voter Coalitions:
  • Democratic success is a coalition of wealthy professionals, up-and-coming professionals, and the poor.
• Hispanic Vote:
  • Victor warns of shifting Hispanic vote dynamics, noting its importance in swing states, and the left’s narrative control on deportation stories.

Segment 5: The Debate Over Priorities—Affordability, Infighting, and Movement Politics

Timestamps: 34:28 – 44:00

Discussion Points:

• Affordability Becomes Central:
  • Emily notes a consensus among the GOP that “affordability” is the new crucial message (“Donald Trump said there's this new word: affordability.” - 34:28)
• Right-Wing Infighting:
  • Emily reviews the Chris Rufo argument on why the right about Nick Fuentes and the Heritage Foundation drama is damaging:
    • Quote (Rufo):
      “Fuentes divides the right, taps into the left-wing fantasy about conservatives as Nazis, rails against President Trump... If he wins, conservatives lose.” (44:00)
  • Media and social incentives are creating echo chambers, distracting from real voter concerns.
• Real Voter Concerns:
  • Rising healthcare costs, unaffordable homes, increased beef prices, and SNAP benefits at risk.
  • “Republicans barely ever talk about health care costs... it is one of the primary concerns of your average voter and it has been for years…” (44:00)

Segment 6: Lessons from the Campaign Trail – Framing the Message

Timestamps: 49:00 – 58:29

Discussion Points:

• Democratic Messaging on Affordability:
  • Highlights Mikie Sherrill’s campaign focus on affordability in New Jersey (“I'm fighting for affordability. I'm fighting to get your costs down. I'm declaring a state of emergency on day one…” - 50:47)
• Republican Culture War Messaging:
  • Review of Virginia’s campaign pitfalls: overemphasis on culture wars without tying them to material conditions (cost of living, crime).
  • “You must talk about [culture war issues]... but it should be framed on people’s material conditions... tie it back to the same clueless, out-of-touch elites pushing these wacky policies that are impoverishing you…” (54:00)
• Exit Poll Lesson:
  • Mamdani won 55% of cost-of-living voters, not on crime/immigration, underscoring the importance of focusing on affordability.

Segment 7: Marjorie Taylor Greene in the Media Lion’s Den

Timestamps: 58:59 – 71:50

Discussion Points:

• MTG's Media Tour:
  • Greene appears on Bill Maher, CNN, The View—defending her stance on health care and breaking with the GOP on certain priorities.
• Confronting QAnon Past:
  • Quote (MTG to Sunny Hostin):
    “I was a victim, just like 21, of media lies and stuff you read on social media... I realized, just watching CNN or Fox News, I may not find the truth. So I started looking up things on the Internet asking questions.” (62:26)
  • Emily credits MTG for connecting with the ordinary MAGA voter, understanding distrust of institutions, and communicating why people fall for conspiracy theories.
    • “If you don’t understand what she understands about where the average voter is coming from, you’re the problem. She’s not the problem.” (66:30)

Segment 8: Pop Culture—The Morning Show and Corporate Media

Timestamps: 71:50 – 78:37

Discussion Points:

• Analysis of Apple TV’s The Morning Show:
  • The show satirizes media, DEI initiatives, and the intersection of news and business.
  • Quote (AI character on The Morning Show):
    “We all know DEI is... It doesn’t work. Maybe it never works and we were all just too afraid of the backlash to say it’s okay. This is just an illusion.” (71:54)
  • Emily notes the show's center-left point of view but appreciates its willingness to turn the lens on itself and highlight flaws within major media (performative corporate DEI, journalistic self-congratulation).
    • “Corporate media is absolutely corrupted and influenced by those terrible motivations... the funniest parts of the show is the self-congratulatory self-seriousness of the journalists…” (72:39)

Notable Quotes

• Victor Davis Hanson:
  • “He is a socialist. All socialists say they're democratic socialists at one point, otherwise they would never be elected.” (06:07)
  • “He doesn't understand our system of federalism... It's not his city completely.” (09:00)
  • “We have a rich literature... We have the only constitution of its kind in the world.” (13:31)
  • “There is no such thing as negative advertising against this type... you think you're going to shame them with scandal, it doesn't work.” (26:24)
• Emily Jashinsky:
  • “If you are a political candidate, campaign or party, you should have priorities that allow you to appeal in a way that wins elections... You do have to win hearts and minds.”
  • “The volume of conversation about... the Heritage drama... over again, improving the lives of the average American. It's astounding…” (44:00)
  • “How ridiculous is it for a movement... that's supposed to focus on improving the lives of average Americans... to obsess over these insular controversies?” (44:00)
  • “If you don’t understand what [MTG] understands about where the average voter is coming from, you’re the problem.” (66:30)

Episode Takeaways

• Affordability is emerging as the post-election rallying cry for both parties—the GOP is realizing its need to refocus on voters’ material concerns (housing, healthcare, energy).
• The shifting composition of voter coalitions (especially among minorities and young professionals) is changing election outcomes and should influence messaging.
• Internal right-wing infighting, amplified by elite and media dramas, offers little value to swing voters focused on everyday costs.
• Cultural and identity rhetoric can alienate voters if not grounded in tangible economic concerns.
• Marjorie Taylor Greene’s connection to the MAGA base and her experiential journey through institutional mistrust offer lessons to both parties about the mindset of the average American voter.
• Pop culture (ex: The Morning Show) both reflects and satirizes contemporary media and politics, offering nuanced critiques of performative progressivism within corporate networks.

Final Thoughts

This episode blends historical analysis, tactical campaign critique, and cultural reflections, spotlighting the disconnect between elite discourse and voters’ priorities. Jashinsky and Hanson repeatedly urge political movements to refocus on “the economy, stupid” and material well-being—a message reinforced by election results and post-election commentary alike.

For more in-depth commentary and pop culture coverage, tune in to After Party with Emily Jashinsky.