Podcast Summary: Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know – "Cynthia Nixon Hasn’t Forgiven Andrew Cuomo"

Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Nicole Wallace
Guest: Cynthia Nixon
Distributor: Lemonada Media

Introduction and Early Career Highlights [00:00 - 02:46]

The episode begins with Nicole Wallace introducing Cynthia Nixon, highlighting her illustrious career. Cynthia reflects on her early achievements, mentioning her participation in two Mike Nichols Broadway plays and her appearance in the Oscar-winning film Amadeus (00:43). Nicole humorously contrasts Cynthia's early success with her own youthful endeavors at Office Max and her personal life, setting a light-hearted tone for the conversation.

Notable Quote:

Nicole Wallace: "Cynthia Nixon has been killing it since she was a teenager... By that age, my accomplishments in life amounted to one, working at Office Max and two, virginity."
[01:10]

Cynthia Nixon’s Political Journey and Views on Andrew Cuomo [02:14 - 06:13]

The dialogue shifts to Cynthia Nixon’s political activism, particularly her gubernatorial run against Andrew Cuomo in 2018. Cynthia criticizes Cuomo's legacy, detailing his resignation amid scandals involving nursing home deaths, corruption, and sexual harassment allegations against his aides (03:24). She emphasizes the ongoing legal battles Cuomo poses to New York taxpayers, citing over $25 million spent on his legal fees (04:16).

Cynthia expresses skepticism about Cuomo's recent political resurgence, attributing his current polling lead to name recognition rather than genuine support:

Cynthia Nixon: "It's really all about, you know, name recognition at this point."
[03:24]

The Role of Celebrities in Politics [21:51 - 39:32]

After a brief interlude of advertisements, the conversation resumes with a focus on the intersection of celebrity and politics. Nicole inquires about the challenges actors and public figures face when voicing political opinions, referencing instances like LeBron James being told to "shut up and dribble" (21:51).

Cynthia defends her stance on political activism, stating that it aligns with her personal values and her parents' legacy:

Cynthia Nixon: "I'm 100% who I am and that's who I've always been... my parents would be very disappointed in me if I didn't say what I thought."
[12:03]

Comparing the Gilded Age to Modern Economic Inequality [23:42 - 32:17]

A significant portion of the discussion delves into economic inequality, drawing parallels between the Gilded Age of the 1880s and today’s socio-economic landscape. Nicole presents a startling 2025 statistic: "The wealth of the richest five Americans is about $1 trillion, while half of Americans have less than $500 in their bank accounts" (24:39). Cynthia elaborates on this disparity, comparing modern tech billionaires to the robber barons of the past. She criticizes contemporary oligarchs for their detachment from societal responsibilities, highlighting their reluctance to contribute to the public good beyond personal wealth accumulation (25:38).

Notable Quote:

Cynthia Nixon: "And so I will say that I have a friend who for many years ran ACT in San Francisco... these guys have no... their lunch is brought, they don't go to a restaurant. There is no sense of being a part of society."
[26:34]

Media’s Portrayal of Historical vs. Modern Trauma [32:17 - 35:06]

Nicole probes into why society gravitates towards period pieces that depict historical trauma, questioning why modern suffering is less palatable. Cynthia attributes this to the immediacy and uncertainty of current crises, such as global warming and the state of democracy:

Cynthia Nixon: "The great dividing line was Reagan, and he was just the person who said the opposite of Kennedy's aspect... 'Government is not the solution. Government is the problem.'"
[32:11]

She contrasts this with historical narratives where the turmoil is distant, allowing audiences to engage without feeling personally implicated:

Cynthia Nixon: "We can sort of squint and say, I would have been one of those heroes. Whereas when you focus on something that's happening right now, it's like, what am I doing?"
[34:12]

Discussions on “The Gilded Age” Show and Economic Themes [38:05 - 48:53]

Cynthia shares insights from her work on the HBO series The Gilded Age, explaining how the show mirrors contemporary issues of wealth disparity and social upheaval. She discusses the challenges of integrating modern diversity into a period piece, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation:

Cynthia Nixon: "We didn't want to make it exceptionally white and wanted to include queer and non-binary characters... Why not?"
[42:30]

The conversation also touches on character development and the difficulty of balancing historical accuracy with modern sensibilities. Cynthia recounts the complexities of portraying intertwined personal and societal conflicts, drawing parallels between her characters' struggles and real-world economic injustices.

Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts [48:53 - End]

As the episode nears its conclusion, Cynthia offers personal anecdotes about balancing her acting career with political activism and personal life. She reflects on public expectations and the scrutiny that comes with being a public figure involved in politics.

Notable Quote:

Cynthia Nixon: "Sometimes when I remember him... people get very upset."
[43:08]

Nicole and Cynthia wrap up the episode with light-hearted interactions, maintaining an engaging and personable rapport.

Key Takeaways

• Cynthia Nixon's Advocacy: Cynthia's activism stems from a deep-seated belief in social justice, motivated by witnessing political corruption and societal inequalities firsthand.

• Economic Inequality Parallels: The comparison between the Gilded Age and today's economic climate underscores persistent issues of wealth disparity and the concentration of power among a few.

• Celebrities in Politics: The episode explores the complexities and expectations placed on public figures when they engage in political discourse, highlighting both the influence and challenges they face.

• Media Representation: There's a nuanced discussion on how historical narratives are portrayed in media versus current events, emphasizing the role of storytelling in shaping societal perceptions.

Notable Quotes

1. On Andrew Cuomo's Legacy:

   Cynthia Nixon: "This is not a guy who made a couple of mistakes and apologized... this is a guy who has... has not really been prosecuted because he resigned before he could."
   [04:16]

2. On Modern Wealth Disparity:

   Cynthia Nixon: "The tech boom is a lot of what our current billionaires and multimillionaires are coming from... There's no sense of let's endow the symphony."
   [26:34]

3. On Media and Historical Trauma:

   Cynthia Nixon: "When you focus on something that's happening right now, it's like, what am I doing?... Where am I in the story?"
   [34:12]

4. On Diversity in “The Gilded Age”:

   Cynthia Nixon: "We didn't want to make it exceptionally white and wanted to include queer and non-binary characters... Why not?"
   [42:30]

Conclusion

This episode of Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know featuring Cynthia Nixon offers a compelling exploration of political activism, economic inequality, and the role of media in shaping societal narratives. Cynthia's candid reflections on her career, political endeavors, and the parallels between historical and modern socio-economic climates provide listeners with deep insights into the persistent challenges facing society today.