Podcast Summary: Flagrant with Andrew Schulz & Akaash Singh

Episode: Mamdani Wins, NYC’s Muslim Make-over, & Trump's New War
Date: November 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the aftermath of Zoran Mamdani’s historic mayoral win in New York City, the ripple effects on NYC’s cultural and political landscape, and speculation on Donald Trump's potential new strategies (“Trump’s New War”). The Flagrant crew—Andrew Schulz, Akaash Singh, AlexxMedia (Al), Mark Gagnon, and Miles—deliver their trademark irreverence, unpacking the significance of New York’s “Muslim Makeover,” left vs. right culture wars, and the migration of generational, racial, and immigrant identities in the city. The show also detours into pop-culture, social identity debates, museum heists, and comedic hot takes on global politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Flagrant's (Satirical) "Political Power"

• The hosts open by jokingly claiming credit for “getting dictators and communists elected” through their podcast influence, referencing previous guests like Andrew Yang (00:00–00:57).
  • Quote:

    "We getting dictators elected. We getting communists elected. Whoever the fuck we want." – Andrew Schulz (00:00)

• They playfully switch blame and credit between political factions for outcomes, highlighting the absurdity of online scapegoating.
  • Quote:

    "If we got all the credit for getting Trump elected, you better keep that same energy." – Schulz (00:39)

2. Zoran Mamdani’s Win: NYC's Identity Shift & "Muslim Makeover"

• The group riffs on the election of Zoran Mamdani as NYC’s mayor—a brown, African, Muslim immigrant—and the symbolic impact for New Yorkers.
• Major satire of the political climate: free buses, rent, food, “prostitutes”—all jokes about left-leaning policies (02:44).
• Akaash highlights support for “everyone brown,” but jokes about “brown points” deductions for marrying white (03:24–03:56).
  • Quote:

    "Do you lose brown points if you got a white wife?" – Akaash (03:43)
    "Yeah, 100%." – Schulz (03:47)

• They discuss the performative/rebellious aspect of progressive politics and immigrant voting blocs (27:54–29:20).

3. Satire & Identity: Sharia Law, Taxes & Cultural Anxiety

• Ongoing bits about the imposition of Sharia Law, hijab mandates, and religious jizya taxes in NYC, poking fun at right-wing panic over “Islamification” (05:03–06:56).
  • Quote:

    "We need religious police if we have sharia law… You gotta pay the jizya, too." – Schulz (05:09)

  • Dive into misconceptions about Islamic taxes versus charity, arguing 2.5% is a “sweet deal” (05:48–06:18).
• Taqiyah is lampooned as a “Muslim sneak-in” policy (07:10–07:23).

4. Political Culture: Power, Irreverence, and Comedy

• Schulz and Akaash argue NYC mayor is the "only other real government position" besides President (09:01–09:51), mocking lesser officials as "feckless."
• They riff on both the burden and fun of “having so much power as a podcast”—and satirically “swear off” interfering with elections (09:55–22:04).
  • Quote:

    "With great power comes great responsibility. Put the rice in the microwave." – Schulz (10:18)

5. Can Mamdani Deliver? Practical Doubts vs. Symbolic Victories

• Pragmatic questions about what Mayor Mamdani can actually achieve (e.g. taxes, free buses, grocery competition)—and skepticism about how much these impact voters' real lives (22:15–28:30).
  • Quote:

    "I don't think being able to take the bus for free is going to change their life." – Schulz (27:15)

• Discusses the symbolic value for progressives: “Who’s going to piss off Trump the most?” (28:42–29:20).

6. Voting Demographics: Who Actually Wanted Change?

• Detailed breakdown of voting stats: recent NYC arrivals overwhelmingly voted for Zoran, while long-time and native New Yorkers leaned more conservative or for the familiar Cuomo (35:01–38:06).
  • Quote:

    "If you're here less than five years, you voted for Zora… There's no cost to this not working out to you, because you'll go home." – Schulz (35:31)

• Clashes over what makes someone a “real New Yorker”—longevity, roots, or cultural identity (34:11–37:56).

7. Trump's Next Moves: Collaboration or Combat?

• Deep speculation on Trump’s possible response as president, with both strategic and egocentric possibilities raised:
  • Should Trump “go to war” with NYC or prove he “gave a fair shot” by not interfering? (23:40–25:00)
  • Consensus: Trump won’t be able to resist making Mamdani his “boogeyman” (24:53, 25:03).
• Comparison of the left’s reaction to Trump winning in 2016 with the right’s response to Mamdani (25:04–26:07).

8. Museum Heists, Stolen Jewels, and Cultural Ownership

• Entertaining segment about the Louvre jewelry heist by a gang of “hot North Africans” (52:01–54:04), segueing into a philosophical debate about whether looted artifacts should be returned to their original countries.
• Parallels drawn with the Mona Lisa’s history—how theft elevated its fame (59:47–60:16).
  • Quote:

    "Robin Museums is kind of fire... It's guilt free because y'all stole that shit." – Schulz (59:20)

• The group generally roots for “Robin Hood” crimes against European museums.

9. Artifacts, Colonialism, and Who Really Cares

• Intense discussion: should Western nations return artifacts if the original countries didn’t value them at the time? Do Westerners retroactively confer value? (64:23–66:41)
• The 'Kohinoor' diamond controversy prompts jokes about Indian vs. British cultural theft and restitution (67:17–69:05).

10. Wild Tangents: James Bond’s Car Choices & Product Placement

• Comedic debate about whether James Bond would (or could) ever drive a Toyota, jumping off British identity and marketing in movies (70:30–74:51).

11. Viral Whitney Houston Challenge

• The group takes on the “Whitney Houston Drum Challenge” in studio, with comically disastrous results (77:13–80:33).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Do you lose brown points if you got a white wife?”
  • Akaash Singh (03:43)
• “We’re just joking. Us on. You did it. You got him elected. You helped us a little. Barely did anything. We single-handedly changed the world, man.”
  • Schulz (02:35)
• "We need religious police if we have sharia law. Yes, 100%."
  • Schulz (05:05)
• “If you're here less than five years, you voted for Zora… there's no cost to this not working out to you, because you'll go home.”
  • Schulz (35:31)
• “Robin Museums is kind of fire, bro. It’s kind of okay. It’s guilt free because y’all stole that shit.”
  • Schulz (59:20)
• “I just want the money. We want money. Yeah.”
  • Akaash (69:01)
• "With great power comes great responsibility. Put the rice in the microwave. 90 seconds."
  • Schulz (10:18)
• “Symbolically he represents everything the MAGA hates states.”
  • Akaash/Mark (29:12)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:15: Flagrant’s “all-powerful” influence, satirical intros.
• 02:35–06:56: Post-election jokes: free stuff, Sharia law, jizya tax.
• 09:01–10:18: "Mayor of NYC is only real office other than President.” Political culture.
• 22:15–29:20: Can Mamdani deliver? Symbolic politics, anti-Trump sentiment.
• 34:11–38:06: New Yorker identity, voting demographics analysis.
• 52:01–54:04: Louvre heist story – dream-like, rooting for the thieves.
• 59:47–60:16: Mona Lisa myth and how theft brings fame.
• 64:23–66:41: Cultural property—should artifacts be returned?
• 70:30–76:32: James Bond car/product placement tangent.
• 77:13–80:33: Whitney Houston Drum Challenge.

Episode Tone

Irreverent, unfiltered, and incisively satirical, with constant pivots between real insight and absurd comedy. The crew pushes boundaries while dissecting ethnic identity, political power, media narrative, and cultural history—always with sharp, flagrant humor.