It Could Happen Here: Executive Disorder — White House Weekly #40

Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Garrison Davis, Robert Evans, James Stout, Mia Wong
Producer: Cool Zone Media & iHeartPodcasts

Main Theme

This episode covers one of the most momentous weeks in U.S. politics, centered around the groundbreaking New York City mayoral election, the death of Dick Cheney, nationwide electoral results, and ongoing stories of collapse, division, and hope. The crew analyzes the seismic political shifts occurring at the city, state, and national level—including the historic victory of a democratic socialist immigrant mayor leading America’s largest city during a turbulent Trump presidency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Death of Dick Cheney & Its Cultural Legacy

• [03:27] The episode opens with the news of former Vice President Dick Cheney’s death on election day, casting a strange shadow over political events.
• Robert Evans delivers a stinging eulogy, joking:

  “I just want to let everyone in hell know, this too shall pass. You won’t be stuck with him forever... He will get reincarnated as a Senate Republican staffer within six to eight months.” ([04:05])

• The hosts riff on Cheney’s infamous hunting accident, debating whether younger generations still understand the “Cheney lore,” with humorous anecdotes about pop culture associations.
• Key Takeaway: Cheney’s passing is a generational touchstone—his legacy of violence, infamy, and far-right politics is met with irreverent humor by the hosts.

2. Zoran Mamdani's Historic Mayoral Win in NYC

Election Overview

• [05:00–22:00 & 26:11–36:25]
• Zoran Mamdani becomes the first NYC mayoral candidate since 1969 to win over a million votes, with record turnout (over 2 million votes)—a stunning achievement for a leftist candidate.
• Defeats independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa; Sliwa is described as a "very New York" character and the only candidate to call and congratulate Mamdani.
• The borough breakdown: Mamdani swept every borough except Staten Island (which backed Cuomo by 33 points).

Political Insights

• Robert Evans: “From what this should tell everyone everywhere in the country about what is possible in politics, even in times as dark as this... he was at 6% in January.” ([09:22])
• Garrison Davis: “It’s about affordability, not ideology... Strict focus on affordability was the key to winning this campaign.” ([10:43])

Voter Demographics & Tactics

• Mammoth support among young men and women, particularly younger women (84% for Mamdani).
• Unapologetically democratic socialist; opened victory speech quoting Eugene V. Debs.
• Did not run away from identity or principles:

  “Not hiding his political inspirations... quoted Eugene Debs 10 seconds into his victory speech.” ([12:17])

Speech Highlights

• Offered poetic vision for a city "reborn":

  “Over the last twelve months, you have dared to reach for something greater. Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands.” (Garrison reading Mamdani, [12:44]*)

• Offered fine-tuned digs at Cuomo:

  “I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the last time I utter his name.” ([13:51])

• Speaks directly to young people and marginalized groups, invoking immigrant, trans, Black, and working class communities.
• Cites hunger strike with cab drivers:

  “My brother, we are in City Hall now.” ([17:37])

Resistance and Islamophobia

• Mamdani faced weeks of 9/11-related and Islamophobic attacks in closing days of campaign, especially from Cuomo-aligned forces.
• “No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election.” ([27:44])
• Mia Wong: “What Mamdani is doing here... is you can just do both—focus on class and race together, and it works.” ([29:06])

Positioning NYC as a Beacon

• Mamdani frames his win as hope and resistance in a “darkened political moment” nationally and vows to protect the vulnerable from Trump and local bigotry.

  “New York will be the light. Here we believe in standing up for those we love... To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” ([26:50], [33:30])

• Speech closes with reference to moving beyond “worshiping at the altar of caution” and concrete promises (freezing rent, universal childcare, free buses).

  “Most of all, it will be felt by each New Yorker when the city they love finally loves them back.” ([36:25])

3. Broader Election Results & National Shifts

Virginia

• Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) wins governor; Jay Jones (Democrat) becomes Attorney General despite highly aggressive and controversial text message leaks referencing violent revenge on Republicans and mass shootings as motivators.

  Garrison: “That is the new Democrat Attorney General of Virginia who the right has been attacking relentlessly.”

• Mia Wong: “All the white moms in the suburbs... looking at this and going ‘hell yeah!’” ([43:33])

California

• State redistricting Prop 50 passes, removing five GOP seats and leading to lawsuits and Trump-labeled “giant scam.”

  James: “This is one of the most expensive propositions in state history—$120 million spent in favor...” ([43:57])

Other Notable Results

• Maine votes down voter restriction measure decisively.
• New York passes multiple housing and zoning reforms, further empowering mayor to expedite housing projects.
• Texas passes 17 constitutional amendments, many slashing taxes, creating barriers to new taxes (on capital gains, stock exchanges), and gutting school funding.

  Robert: “They are basically lighting a lot of that [budget surplus] on fire to appeal to rich people and business owners and stock exchanges... We don’t have a society in Texas.” ([63:14])

4. Immigration, Federal Policy, and Institutional Collapse

Immigration Enforcement

• Trump distances himself from Georgia Hyundai plant ICE raid amid economic blowback.
• Texas signs agreement allowing broad use of state police as ICE deputies—further militarizing migration law enforcement.
• Shocking conditions detailed in Chicago's Broadview detention facility lawsuit: freezing temps, crowding, lack of basic hygiene, deliberate deprivation to prompt deportation consent.

  James: “People in Broadview reported being so crowded they could not extend their legs. Jesus Christ.” ([56:14])

Collapse of Air Travel & Infrastructure

• Catastrophic crash at Louisville’s airport and near-misses linked to federal shutdowns, air traffic controller shortages, and weakened FAA capacity.
• Robert Evans: “Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy... said that all commercial flights might be stopped nationwide to protect public safety.” ([65:07])
• Air travel delays/cancellations, with implications for upcoming holidays.

  James: “Maybe consider not flying right now.” ([68:45])

Tariffs and Trade Wars

• Trump and China reach partial détente, lifting some ship tariffs and restrictions; U.S. pauses new rules on foreign entities, while Trump restricts exports of advanced AI chips to China.
• Supreme Court hears challenge to Trump tariffs, led by rightwing corporate libertarian groups.
• Greg Abbott posts about a “100% tariff” on people moving from New York to Texas; hosts dismiss as unserious “posting through it” but symptomatic of new-world “punishment as policy” style.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Robert Evans:

  “You won’t be stuck with Dick Cheney forever… He will get reincarnated as a Senate Republican staffer within six to eight months.” ([04:05])

• On Mamdani’s victory:

  “He was at 6% in January. And he won. He didn’t just eke it out… He legitimately came nowhere and won the most votes for a mayoral candidate in almost 50 years.” —Robert Evans ([09:22])

• On the shifting electorate:

  “Among women 18 to 29 years old, 84% Mamdani—fucking Saddam numbers.” —Garrison Davis ([11:16])

• Mamdani's Speech:

  “Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands.” ([12:44])

  “To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us.” —Zoran Mamdani addressing Trump ([33:30])

• On Democratic Party change:

  “No longer will we have to open a history book for proof that Democrats can dare to be great. Our greatness will be anything but abstract.” —Garrison Davis quoting Mamdani ([36:25])

• On collapse:

  “Globally, air travel is not doing well… Maybe consider not flying right now.” —James Stout ([68:45])

• On charitable responses:

  “We All We Got San Diego... helping people be able to rely on them by delivering groceries... if you are able to [donate], that will give them the ability to plan to secure groceries for people they’re supporting.” —James Stout ([69:25])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:26 | Death of Dick Cheney; cultural impact | | 05:00–22:00 | NYC Mayoral election deep-dive, Mamdani’s speech, demographic analysis| | 26:11–36:25 | Mamdani addresses Trump, populist and intersectional coalition | | 39:51–41:16 | Statewide election results: Virginia, California, Maine, NY, Texas | | 51:28 | Immigration news: ICE, deportation, Texas state-federal collaborations| | 54:31–56:20 | Lawsuit details horrific ICE detention conditions | | 59:35–60:45 | Tariffs, Trump-China, Abbott's “tariff” trolling | | 63:03–64:45 | Texas passes sweeping, regressive tax amendments | | 64:36–68:45 | Air travel chaos, infrastructure collapse, holiday warnings | | 69:14 | SNAP, mutual aid, food insecurity plug |

Final Notes / Overall Tone

The hosts weave together gallows humor, sharp political critique, data analysis, and direct quotations from pivotal speeches to paint a vivid portrait of U.S. politics at the edge of collapse—while highlighting points of genuine hope and organizing. The mood fluctuates between sardonic resignation, excitement over leftist breakthroughs, and urgency about ongoing systemic crises.

For listeners, this episode offers a comprehensive, unflinching, but ultimately hopeful look at political change and the risks/opportunities that define American life today.

For direct support and resources:

• We All We Got SD
• Email the show (encrypted): coolzonetipson.me (ProtonMail to ProtonMail)

More from Cool Zone Media:

• It Could Happen Here Website