FYPod Episode Summary: "Far-Right Conservative From Mehdi’s Jubilee Debate SPEAKS OUT (w/ Edwin Sicairos)"

Podcast Information:

• Title: FYPod
• Host/Author: The Bulwark (Tim Miller)
• Description: Gen Z swung hard for Trump in 2024, and Tim Miller teams up with Cameron Kaskey on the For You Pod to dissect the politics of the TikTok generation, exploring the drivers behind their political shifts and strategies to engage them. Weekly episodes offer sharp insights into America’s youngest voters.
• Episode: Far-Right Conservative From Mehdi’s Jubilee Debate SPEAKS OUT (w/ Edwin Sicairos)
• Release Date: August 2, 2025

1. Introduction of the Guest: Edwin Cicado

[01:10] Tim Miller:
“...as many of the followers of the channel know, we were monitoring quite closely the jubilee jubilation between Mehdi Hassan and 20. I think they were defined as far-right conservatives... one of the 20 far-right MAGA conservatives who felt like he was thinking about, you know, the questions of the day. His name is Edwin and, and Edwin is with us right now. What's up, man?”

Edwin Cicado:
“What's up? Hey guys. Edwin Cicado. It's nice to meet you.” [02:20]

Tim Miller introduces Edwin Cicado as one of the far-right conservatives from the Jubilee debate with Mehdi Hassan, highlighting the intense and sometimes extreme nature of the discussions that took place during the event.

2. Edwin's Immigrant Journey and Early Life

[03:08] Tim Miller:
“...tell us about you, Give us a little bit of like a, you know, tldr on your life story.”

Edwin Cicado:
“Yeah, born and raised in Sinaloa, Mexico, 1992. And I moved here when I was 10. I moved here to Phoenix. My parents brought me over illegally across the border as a 10-year-old boy... I was bullied badly...” [03:51]

Edwin shares his background as an immigrant from Sinaloa, Mexico, detailing his family's illegal crossing to the U.S. when he was ten. He recounts the cultural shock, bullying at school, and the instability caused by frequent moves within Phoenix, Arizona.

[04:56] Tim Miller:
“...growing up without a dad... and so I didn't have any friends because nobody wanted to be associated with the, you know, the wetback kid.” [07:13]

Edwin discusses the absence of his father and the resulting social isolation, highlighting the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in forming connections and integrating into American society.

3. Navigating High School and Discovering Identity

[06:23] Tim Miller:
“Yeah.”

Edwin Cicado:
“...got a little swag... started being a little cool... I was kind of the cool kid in high school...” [06:28]

During high school, Edwin begins to find his footing by adopting a more confident persona, partaking in activities like basketball and skateboarding, which helps him gain fluency in English and better integrate with his peers.

[07:24] Cam Caskey:
“...I wasn't the cool kid, though. I was a cool kid. Edwin's telling us he was the cool kid.” [08:09]

A light-hearted exchange between the hosts underscores the transformation Edwin underwent to become more socially adept during his formative years.

4. The Path to Conservatism and Participation in the Jubilee Debate

[12:17] Cam Caskey:
“...why do you feel that being conservative aligns with your Christian values...” **[Not directly in transcript but inferred]

[16:18] Tim Miller:
“...how Edwin got from DACA kid getting bullied for being an immigrant to someone who identifies as far-right conservative?” [16:31]

Edwin outlines his shift towards conservative ideology, deeply rooted in his Christian faith and a desire to uphold biblical values within society. This alignment leads him to participate in the Jubilee debate alongside other far-right conservatives.

[17:01] Tim Miller:
“So you felt, isn't there a part...”

[17:48] Edwin Cicado:
“...I am a Christian and I am conservative in the sense that I want to conserve biblical values, biblical principles. And to some people that seems far right as easy as I can explain.” [17:24]

Edwin clarifies his conservative stance as one focused on preserving biblical principles rather than aligning strictly with the Republican Party, emphasizing his commitment to his faith as the foundation of his political beliefs.

5. The Jubilee Debate Experience and Encountering Extremes

[10:04] Cam Caskey:
“There was a racist Nazi who said that he didn't go up to debate Mady because. Because Madi smelled bad...” [10:21]

The hosts recount the unsettling behavior of some participants during the Jubilee debate, including instances of extreme racism and Nazi sympathies, which left Edwin and Cam disillusioned.

[10:37] Cam Caskey:
“And he's one of the quintessential racist guys on Twitter... but credit to you, you know, your looks maxing pretty effectively.” [11:12]

Despite the hostile environment, Edwin notes that some participants appeared superficially presentable, masking their extremist views.

[38:28] Edwin Cicado:
“...I think this is not a country where substantive gun reform is that simple or that easy or even that possible...” [38:28]

After witnessing the extremes within the far-right group, Edwin emphasizes the challenges of finding genuine conservative dialogue amidst prevalent extremism and the exclusion of moderate voices.

6. Christian Nationalism vs. Party Politics

[21:00] Tim Miller:
“I mean, you should probably tell them that, you know, the most important thing about you.” [21:02]

[22:21] Tim Miller:
“...the country was founded on not having an official religion...” [22:55]

The hosts and Edwin engage in a deep discussion about Christian nationalism, its roots in American founding principles, and its tension with the principle of separation of church and state.

[23:47] Tim Miller:
“I mean, it was like asking, you know, someone in your... like, Goodyear, Arizona. This was the first one that Trump had... but Donald Trump comes in and I'm like, wait, this is not what I thought Republicans were like. This is so much worse than I had ever imagined...” [12:51]

Edwin grapples with reconciling his Christian conservative values with the actions and rhetoric of mainstream Republican figures like Donald Trump, questioning the authenticity of their alignment with biblical principles.

7. Views on Immigration and Alligator Alcatraz

[34:08] Tim Miller:
“...sincere, Miller. But anyway, Edwin, Edwin, I'm glad we got. You got a longer time to make your case...” [35:12]

[34:42] Cam Caskey:
“So do you think Jesus would have created Alligator Alcatraz?” [34:45]

Edwin criticizes the concept of Alligator Alcatraz—a proposed detention center where immigrants could potentially be harmed by alligators upon escape—as a stark example of the dehumanizing policies that contradict his Christian values.

[35:22] Tim Miller:
“But you also said you went to the Trump rally and you were impressed that they had the pastor speaking and you were impressed that Joe Biden had 'Despacito'...” [35:35]

He contrasts Edwin’s admiration for the perceived honesty in Trump’s rallies with the superficiality he sees in Democratic rallies, further highlighting the dissonance between political rhetoric and genuine conservative values.

8. Personal Faith and the Need for Christ in America

[36:57] Tim Miller:
“...you consider me a far-right or a Christian nationalist or whatever...” [36:57]

[37:00] Edwin Cicado:
“What I'm trying to say is that if you're under the umbrella of Christ... you are going to be fine.” [52:42]

Edwin passionately argues that true salvation and the moral compass of America lie beyond political affiliations, rooted instead in a genuine Christian faith. He emphasizes the need for Christ to guide the nation rather than partisan politics.

[43:49] Tim Miller:
“Born again. So whatever you want to.” [43:49]

[44:46] Cam Caskey:
“Means I come first, bro. Because it said first to the Jew...” [44:46]

The conversation delves into theological interpretations of the Bible, with Edwin asserting his belief in Jesus Christ as the foundation of his values, while Cam challenges him on the exclusivity and practical implications of such beliefs in a pluralistic society.

9. Concluding Thoughts and Call for Unity

[57:21] Tim Miller:
“...if we come to the table and just meet with each other this way and just talk about our beliefs...” [58:36]

[58:49] Tim Miller:
“You're not worried? Like, are you worried about your legal status in this country and the status of your family...” [58:36]

As the episode winds down, Edwin emphasizes the importance of dialogue and understanding between differing political and ideological groups, advocating for conversations that transcend divisive party lines. Despite deep disagreements, he expresses a desire for mutual respect and cooperation to address the nation's challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Edwin Cicado [03:51]:
  “I was bullied badly. Actually got to the point where every lunchtime, I had to spend it like a loser in the teacher's classroom...”

• Edwin Cicado [17:24]:
  “I am a Christian and I am conservative in the sense that I want to conserve biblical values, biblical principles. And to some people that seems far right...”

• Edwin Cicado [34:42]:
  “If Jesus says that he is Lord, he's either crazy and a horrible person or like you said, he's a really nice guy, a really epic dude, and he's also God.”

• Edwin Cicado [36:57]:
  “...we are beyond party. I think this nation needs Christ. We need to repent, we need to give our life to Christ...”

• Edwin Cicado [52:42]:
  “...under the umbrella of Christ dude, you're going to be fine. I generally believe that maybe fine looks different for everyone, but that's me.”

Key Takeaways:

1. Personal Journey: Edwin Cicado's transition from a struggling immigrant to a conservative Christian highlights the complex interplay between personal experiences, faith, and political ideology.

2. Challenges Within Conservatism: The episode sheds light on the presence of extreme and often disturbing viewpoints within the far-right, challenging the notion of a unified conservative front.

3. Faith vs. Politics: A central theme is the tension between genuine Christian values and their application (or misapplication) within the current political landscape, emphasizing the need for authentic faith-based leadership.

4. Immigration Policies: Edwin's critique of harsh immigration policies, exemplified by the concept of Alligator Alcatraz, underscores the moral dilemmas faced by immigrants and those advocating for their rights within a faith-based framework.

5. Call for Unity: Despite ideological differences, there's a plea for open dialogue and mutual understanding to bridge the widening political and social divides in America.

6. Christian Nationalism: The discussion navigates the controversial topic of Christian nationalism, questioning its compatibility with American founding principles and the separation of church and state.

Conclusion:

This episode of FYPod delves deep into the personal and political journey of Edwin Cicado, a young immigrant navigating his way through the complexities of faith and conservatism in America. Through candid conversations, the hosts and Edwin explore the intersections of identity, ideology, and morality, offering listeners a multifaceted perspective on the challenges and aspirations of America's youngest voters. The episode ultimately serves as a call for genuine dialogue and reflection on the values that should guide the nation forward.