IHIP News Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Lina Khan Speaks Out on Illegal Hostile Warner Bros Takeover and Mamdani Transition
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Guest: Lina Khan (former FTC Chair, Co-chair of Zoran Mamdani Transition Team)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan welcome Lina Khan, former FTC Chair and current co-chair of the Zoran Mamdani transition team, for a candid and insightful discussion. The conversation covers the ongoing controversy over the illegal and hostile Warner Bros. takeover, complicated by involvement from high-profile figures like Jared Kushner, Larry Ellison, and foreign sovereign wealth funds. The podcast delves into the broader significance of media consolidation, the stakes for democracy, the populist resurgence against corporate oligarchy, bipartisan support for anti-monopoly movements, and Khan’s transition to municipal politics in New York City.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Warner Bros. Takeover Scandal

Timestamps: 00:34–04:57

• Illegal Consolidation Attempts: Khan breaks down two major buyout attempts: first, Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., and then Paramount’s hostile bid, both raising serious antitrust concerns.
• Foreign & Political Influence: She highlights the involvement of Jared Kushner, Larry Ellison, and financial backing from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Khan warns this could spell disaster for media diversity, democracy, and market choice.
• Risk to Hollywood & Free Speech: She stresses, “We have in this country still antitrust, anti monopoly laws that are supposed to stop this type of extreme consolidation. And on their face, both of these deals look illegal.” (Lina Khan, 01:41)
• Political Manipulation: The Trump administration is accused of transactional politics, willing to "look the other way" on antitrust violations if personal or political favors are offered.

Notable Quote:
"What this market looks like is going to determine what type of free expression is even able to get out there. And so the democratic stakes of this are huge."
— Lina Khan, [03:51]

2. Bipartisan Populism Against Oligarchy

Timestamps: 04:57–09:41

• Strange Bedfellows: Discussion of Steve Bannon’s stated admiration for Khan and evidence of bipartisan support for breaking up corporate concentration.
• Affordability & Anti-corruption: Khan and the hosts observe wide public support for affordable living and action against billionaire oligarchs who manipulate economic and political power.
• Real World Impact: Khan shares, “People are smart and they know that their lives have been getting more difficult… because corporate power has been unchecked.” [06:32]
• Impact Across Sectors: From Big Pharma’s price gouging to monopolistic practices in agriculture and layoffs after grocery store mergers, the abuse of concentrated power is described as an everyday, nonpartisan concern affecting tens of millions.

Notable Quote:
"This idea of concentrated corporate power and its abuse is not some abstraction. Right. For tens of millions of people across this country, they are living it day to day."
— Lina Khan, [07:28]

3. Navigating Pro-business Narratives While Supporting Workers

Timestamps: 09:41–12:45

• Entrepreneurship & Fair Markets: Khan reiterates that starting and growing a small business is “a key mechanism for people to make it,” but unfair monopolistic practices by giants are crowding out new entrants.
• Broad “Business Community”: She makes a point to differentiate between small/local businesses and big corporations, suggesting media and policymakers often ignore the diversity within the business sector.
• Policy Focus for Mamdani Administration: The transition work centers on practical support for small businesses, fairer regulations, and tools to fight price discrimination and regulatory hurdles.

Notable Quote:
"We shouldn't let just a very siloed component of who the full business community is just speak for them."
— Lina Khan, [11:20]

4. Transitioning to Municipal Leadership in NYC

Timestamps: 12:45–16:24

• Khan’s Role: Her current priority is supporting Mayor Elect Zoran Mamdani’s transition team by managing hiring, policy planning, and ensuring the new administration is set up to deliver on economic fairness for all.
• Volume of Interest: Over 70,000 applications for transition roles, emphasizing the widespread enthusiasm.
• High Stakes & Microscope on Mamdani: The team is acutely aware of the extraordinary scrutiny: “It's going to be...a pretty unforgiving environment. Even missteps that under other mayors' tenure wouldn't have even been talked about...are going to be blown up.” (Khan, 15:30)
• Model for the Democratic Party: The hosts see Mamdani as a “canary in the coal mine,” representing a potential new direction for Democrats focused on workers rather than corporate interests.

5. Populism, Identity Politics, & Universalism

Timestamps: 16:24–23:14

• White House Encounter: While Lina did not attend the White House visit with Mamdani, she discusses the national attention the encounter received, including cross-party voter appeal.
• Populism for All: Khan points out the limitation of right-wing populist narratives: “Their economic populism isn’t for everybody. It’s only for some.”
• Universal Human Rights: The hosts and Khan praise Mamdani’s refusal to single out or abandon any minority group—seen as essential in preventing weaponization of bigotry and ensuring affordability and equality for all.
• Symbolic Acts: Mamdani’s public support for LGBTQ+ communities, especially trans rights, is described as both personally meaningful and politically vital.

Notable Quote:
"He believes deeply in the equality of all people and...really wants to have universalism and a real sense of equality and wants to make this a city that works for everybody."
— Lina Khan, [23:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What's striking is that in this Trump administration we've seen that everything is up for sale potentially.” — Lina Khan, [01:54]
• “The market for ideas… determines what type of free expression is even able to get out there. And so the democratic stakes of this are huge.” — Lina Khan, [03:51]
• “This idea of concentrated corporate power and its abuse is not some abstraction… they are living it day to day.” — Lina Khan, [07:28]
• “We shouldn't let just a very siloed component of who the full business community is just speak for them.” — Lina Khan, [11:20]
• "It's going to be...a pretty unforgiving environment. Even missteps...are going to be blown up." — Lina Khan, [15:30]
• “His affordability message is for everybody, for everybody.” — Angie Sullivan, [22:52]

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Warner Bros. Takeover Explainer | 00:34–04:57 | | Bipartisanship & Populist Anti-Oligarchy | 04:57–09:41 | | Pro-business, Worker Advocacy in NYC | 09:41–12:45 | | Transition to Mamdani Administration | 12:45–16:24 | | Populism, Identity, and Universalism | 16:24–23:14 | | Closing Remarks | 23:40–24:09 |

Tone & Style

• Direct, deeply informed, and unapologetically progressive.
• Khan is clear-eyed, pragmatic, and committed to fairness, transparency, and universal humanity.
• Hosts mix seriousness with humor, bringing both urgency and optimism.

Bottom Line:
This episode offers an incisive, unfiltered look at the stakes of media consolidation; the resurgence of anti-monopoly populism among both left and right; the tension between corporate and working-class interests; and a hopeful, inclusive vision for Democratic governance rooted in universal rights and economic fairness. Lina Khan’s perspectives and the hosts’ energetic, passionate engagement make this essential listening for anyone watching the evolving landscape of U.S. politics and media.