Podcast Summary: FYPod – “AOC’s Big Moves, Gen Z Love Rules & Florida Corruption Bombshell (w/ Elijah Manley)”
Host: The Bulwark (Tim Miller & Cam Kasky)
Guest: Elijah Manley (Gen Z Congressional Candidate, Florida)
Date: September 20, 2025
Overview: Episode Theme and Purpose
This episode of FYPod dives into three central threads connecting the politics, personalities, and lived experiences shaping young voters and progressive activism:
- The political future of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Gen Z's shifting voter dynamics
- Contemporary Gen Z attitudes toward dating, work, and life (with plenty of jokes)
- A deep-dive with Elijah Manley, a Gen Z congressional candidate in Florida, covering both his grassroots campaign and the "corruption bombshell" lawsuit involving his establishment opponent
Throughout, hosts Tim and Cam blend sharp critique with levity, aiming to both challenge political orthodoxy and make the show accessible to the TikTok generation and beyond.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. AOC 2028 & The Next Gen of Political Leadership
Is AOC Running in 2028?
- Tim introduces rumors about AOC's presidential ambitions and contextualizes her as a “mainstream left millennial”
- Cam and Tim agree the biggest 2028 litmus test is not “moderate Republican outreach,” but rather engaging nonvoters and people animated by anti-establishment sentiment.
“There's this big misunderstanding that... people who will vote for someone progressive that would have otherwise voted for conservative... it's very clearly institution versus non-institution.” – Cam Kasky (06:32)
- Cam argues AOC’s (and others’ like Zoran’s) strength is anti-status quo energy, not ideological extremism.
The “Vibe” Question & Purity Tests
- Tim worries that AOC’s casual Instagram “vibe” could be weaponized, noting the “stream culture” might distract from perceptions of seriousness (10:29)
- Both criticize superficial purity tests, calling out Democrats’ tendency to demand every candidate fit the same polished, “buttoned-down” mold.
“Meanwhile Donald Trump... the only person in government who is effective right now is the reality TV star who made Trump steaks.” – Cam Kasky (11:39)
2. Gen Z Love Rules: Dating, Office Romance & Tipping Culture
Dating Coworkers – What’s Changed?
- Cam observes Gen Z often has little choice but to date coworkers due to limited social opportunities.
- Tim argues Gen Z has more stigma and censoriousness about workplace romance, rooted in the MeToo era, while Cam suggests stigma is real but context matters.
“So I do think that that might have been informative to the older... the higher end of Gen Z, like 1997-2002. Gen Z is very different, obviously, from the next level...” – Cam (16:31)
Tipping Culture and Intergenerational Rants
- Tim rants about “iPad tipping” for minimal service (“zero, I want to tip zero” – 18:11), struggles with tip expectations in non-restaurant contexts, and American tipping ambiguity.
- Cam admits to guilt-driven, habitual over-tipping due to “Jewish and Catholic shame.”
“I’m a guilty dude... half Catholic and half Jewish, so I have the shame and the guilt. So I don’t like pressing no [on iPad tip screens].” – Cam (20:49)
Balance Between Self-Deprecation and Arrogance
- Both offer earnest advice:
- “Take your cause seriously... do not take yourself seriously.” – Cam (23:18)
- Tim underscores that young people should have confidence, warning against overconfidence but especially self-effacing insecurity (25:30).
Dating Advice: Sincerity, Not Games
- Cam recommends “owning” your interest in someone but holding yourself in high regard too (“you can think that you’re awesome and also think the other person is even more awesome... sincerity is fucking magnetic.” – 28:22)
3. Florida Corruption Bombshell: Interview w/ Elijah Manley (Gen Z Candidate)
Manley’s Backstory & Motivation
Starts: 30:19
- Manley shares his experience facing homelessness after the 2008 crisis, followed by early political engagement post-Parkland shooting in Broward County (31:52).
- Running for Congress driven by lack of action on child homelessness and outrage at rising authoritarianism.
The Lawsuit & Accusations of Corruption
Main segment: 33:29–36:48
- Manley’s campaign is being sued for “a pattern of false statements” about incumbent Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, centering on:
- A purported $5.7 million “accidental” COVID payout used to fund her razor-thin victory, now under multiple investigations.
- Manley frames it as an intimidation lawsuit (SLAPP suit); asserts he’s only referencing facts reported by press, state, and ethics investigations.
“Everything I said in the campaign is the truth... This appears to be a slap suit against me to try to silence me... I do believe that when politicians start trying to silence their opponents ... that's a sign of really scary times to come.” – Elijah Manley (36:20)
- Tim: “Isn’t that kind of like a Monopoly situation where you get a bank error in your favor?”
- Manley: “No... If I wake up... with a million dollars in my account, I know I’m not touching that money.”
Democratic Party Critique: Inaction & Lost Touch
- Manley lambasts incumbent for invisibility in the district (“flies down here, does a photoshoot, hops right back on the next flight to DC”) and for silence on issues facing immigrants, Haitians, ICE abuses, and Trump (39:29).
“Voters don’t hear from us until around election time. Meanwhile, we have Republicans knocking on doors... and for some reason, I can’t find anyone in the Democratic Party doing anything about it...” – Elijah Manley (52:27)
Progressive Policy: Federal Jobs Guarantee, Housing, & Oversight
Federal Jobs Guarantee: 43:16
- Manley proposes a Green New Deal-style “employer of last resort” federal jobs guarantee, referencing New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps.
- Argues current structure favors fossil fuel and agro-industrial jobs; government could create millions of good jobs while transitioning economy.
“I oppose this small government idea... if we’re paying all this money in taxes and we can tax billionaires a lot more... we should use that money to put people to work, make sure they have healthcare as a right...” – Elijah Manley (44:42)
- Tim offers the counter: what about when the GOP regains power and reverses everything? Manley says programs should be locally administered and robustly protected.
On Corruption, the Courts, and Florida Politics
- Cam and Manley discuss how Florida judges are MAGA-aligned, and even low-level courts tilt the playing field. Manley hopes for federal protections and better Democratic leadership, specifically calling out Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries as “complacent and out of touch” (50:57).
Dems’ Florida Malaise: Message, Infrastructure, and Youth Turnout
- Manley says: Dems are not losing Florida because people go Republican, but because too many young, Black, and progressive voters stay home.
- Cam admires Manley’s use of Hamlet (“something’s rotten in the party...”) as both a literary flex and a concise diagnosis of Democratic woes (53:49).
4. Personal Snapshots & Gen Z Culture
Gen Z “Slang” and Cultural Disconnects
- Manley and hosts trade recent middle-school slang: “six, seven,” “you ate,” and riff on Drag Race references (30:54).
- Tim and Cam recount their Florida upbringing, including Cam’s sartorial rituals to hide insecurities at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (54:49).
Manley’s Coming Out and Early Politics
- Manley: Grew up awkward, “weird kid,” read at public libraries as an escape. Community engagement was a lifeline. Coming out in high school and socializing at gay bars in Fort Lauderdale (“The Manor,” “Drink Bar”). (57:26–58:50)
Influences & Movement Endorsements
- Manley was a “Bernie bro” in both 2016 and 2020, admires Sanders’ authenticity and mission—though notes that Florida progressives lack the institutional infrastructure seen elsewhere (61:57).
Balancing Life and Politics
- Manley and hosts swap stories about being the “politics person” in their social groups, handling constant requests for takes, and the pressure of being a “public explainer” (64:44).
- They discuss Gen Z romantic communication, debunking the idea that “my love” or “my dearest” is too formal for young people; sincerity and variety in connection-words persist across generations (66:27).
Trust Crisis in Institutions
- Cam notes widespread loss of faith in all institutions—explaining why conspiracy theories and skepticism about official narratives are rampant (67:17).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
On AOC, Political “Vibes,” and the Democratic Party
- “AOC could run for president in 2064 and still be younger than Joe Biden was when he took office.” – Tim Miller (02:55)
- “I swear to God, find me a dude acting normal, I'll fucking vote for him.” – Cam Kasky (04:17)
- “I think that the first litmus test for somebody in 2028 is going to be: can they engage non voters?” – Cam Kasky (04:27)
On Gen Z Romance and Life
- “I think the Gen Z dating situation is whoever the fuck we can meet. Like, we don’t meet people anymore.” – Cam (15:35)
- “I’m a guilty dude. I’m half Catholic and half Jewish, so I have the shame and the guilt. So I don’t like pressing no [on tip screens].” – Cam (20:49)
- “Everybody is a high value individual. Recognize those things, own those things, and be proud of those things.” – Cam (28:22)
On Florida Politics and Corruption
- “When politicians start trying to silence their opponents and sue their own constituents, that’s a sign of really scary times to come.” – Elijah Manley (36:36)
- “Voters don’t hear from us until around election time... And for some reason, I can’t find anyone in the Democratic Party doing anything about it.” – Elijah (52:27)
- “Hamlet is a classic. And I think the first in a quarter zip...” – Cam & Tim ribbing Elijah for the rare combo of Shakespeare references and Florida-winterwear (53:49)
On Youth Movement & Sincerity
- “Sincerity is charming, meaning what you say and saying what you mean is fucking magnetic.” – Cam (28:22)
- “The world—the people—are, in general, less impressive than you think. In specific, there’s some very impressive people, but in general they’re less impressive than you think.” – Tim Miller (25:32)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:31 | Rumors about AOC’s 2028 presidential run | | 04:27 | Cam’s test for 2028: mobilizing nonvoters and anti-establishment energy | | 10:29 | AOC’s “vibe,” purity tests, & candidate authenticity | | 15:12 | Gen Z vs. Millennial attitudes on dating coworkers | | 18:11 | Tim’s rant on tipping culture | | 23:18 | Life advice: balance of seriousness, humility, and confidence | | 28:22 | Cam’s “simp advice”—be sincere, not coy in relationships | | 30:19 | Special guest: Elijah Manley introduction | | 33:29 | Florida lawsuit: McCormick, corruption allegations, campaign challenges | | 43:16 | Federal Jobs Guarantee, New Deal inspiration | | 52:27 | Florida Democratic Party malaise, youth disengagement | | 53:49 | Hamlet reference, “something rotten in the party” | | 62:24 | Youth in politics: do Gen Z pols have non-political friends? | | 66:11 | Gen Z slang & love language (“my dear,” “my dearest”) | | 67:17 | Institutional trust crisis—why conspiracy theories thrive |
Episode Conclusion/Tone
Throughout, Tim and Cam keep energy high, balancing accessible humor with moments of earnest policy, relationship, and movement-building advice. The presence of Elijah Manley anchors the conversation in grassroots action—underscoring the disconnect between establishment politics and the rising Gen Z base.
“We should be winning. We have the message. We have the policies. We need to make the case to the people, and we need to have the right people.” – Elijah Manley (50:22)