Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World

Episode Title: Kennedy Blasts NYC’s $81K Homeless Spending
Host: Kennedy
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Podcast Network: FOX News Podcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kennedy tackles the hot-button issue of government spending on homelessness in New York City, highlighting the city’s annual expenditure of $81,000 per homeless individual. She explores the inefficiencies and questionable outcomes of such spending, calls out city officials and left-leaning politicians for managing—rather than solving—the homelessness crisis, and questions the priorities and effectiveness of current policy.
Her signature blend of humor, exasperation, and pointed commentary drives a fast-paced critique of progressive approaches to homelessness.

Main Discussion Points

1. NYC's $81,000 Spending Per Homeless Person

• Kennedy opens by expressing incredulity at NYC’s figure:
  “$81,000 per year per street homeless person. And that's a lot of scratch. So you think about $81,000 and if you had an extra 81,000 a year, what would you do with it?” (00:40)
• She questions whether giving homeless individuals even part of that money would solve underlying issues—suggesting no, but proposing that more direct, effective approaches are ignored in favor of simply increasing funding.
• She compares this annual expense to the city’s median take-home salary:
  “$81,000 is more than twice the average take home income of the, the median New York City salary. So the average person takes home $40,000 a year and works really hard for that money.” (02:30)

2. Government Mismanagement and Motivation

• Kennedy accuses NYC’s government of being more interested in managing rather than eliminating homelessness because it sustains bureaucratic jobs:
  • “People who no longer want to eradicate homelessness, they don't want to end homelessness, they want to manage homelessness.” (02:20)
  • She observes homelessness increasing despite growing budgets, referencing similar trends in California and Los Angeles.

3. Cronyism and Lack of Accountability

• Kennedy contends that most funding does not reach homeless individuals but is siphoned off by agencies, political cronies, and redundant programs:
  • “That money is going somewhere, but not to people... And the people who manage homelessness just go around and go, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. They just count homeless people and it's like, well, mission accomplished, job done, let's go hit the showers, boys.” (03:40)
• Criticizes politicians like Zoran Mamdani (NYC), Gavin Newsom (CA), Karen Bass (LA), and others for perpetuating the cycle:
  • “That's at people like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass and Doran Mamdani and Brandon Johnson and all the other libs who are ruining big cities. That's what they have figured out.” (06:52)

4. Personal Observations and Dark Humor

• Kennedy brings a personal touch, relating stories from her neighborhood and using edgy humor to illustrate the realities of the street:
  • On seeing homeless encampments and people in poor conditions:
    “Yesterday, I was walking home from the subway and I see the same homeless encampments every day. You know, I see the same guy with like the Mickey Mouse blanket and the guy next to him who's wrapped in what looks like a white canvas tarp. And, you know, these people obviously are not benefiting from any programs.” (03:10)
  • On advice to her children about avoiding erratic homeless people:
    “I've always said this. I said this to my girls at a young age when we moved full time to New York City. If you see a homeless man with no pants on, run. Because if you have no pants you will throw your poo... Next thing you know you got a poo thrower and you're getting E. Coli in the face and the $81,000 a year per butt cheek. It's not doing anything to make the problems go away.” (07:10)

5. Human Nature, Voter Gullibility, and Compassion

• Kennedy concedes that most people, by nature, want to help the vulnerable:
  “Human nature is ultimately good and human beings don't want other human beings to suffer.” (08:20)
• She argues, however, that well-intentioned voters are manipulated by politicians and bureaucrats who use homelessness to justify ongoing tax increases and job creation for insiders.
• She points to more successful approaches elsewhere (without detailing them), asserting that New York and other ‘ultra leftist’ cities lack genuine, effective programs for therapy, psychiatric care, or rehabilitation.

6. Rising Homeless Rates and Political Accountability

• Kennedy calls out rising homelessness statistics:
  “Homelessness has gone up by 26% just in the last year here in New York City.” (10:40)
• She indicts current Mayor Zoran Mamdani as failing the city, saying:
  “I've said it before and I will say it again. Zoron Momdani makes Bill de Blasio look like Rudy Giuliani.” (11:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On misaligned incentives:
  “If you actually had those systems, then you would obliterate so many of these problems. But if you do that, then your friends are out of jobs.” (10:15)

• On the frustration of taxpayers:
  “So much is taken away by a government with so little to show for it. That is an astonishing amount of money. But that's not what the most astonishing aspect of the story is.” (02:43)

• Sharpest jab at leadership:
  “Zoron Momdani makes Bill de Blasio look like Rudy Giuliani.” (11:16)

Key Timestamps

• 00:40 — Kennedy introduces the $81,000 figure and its implications
• 02:20 — Discussion on spending v. homelessness rates; city salary comparisons
• 03:10 — Kennedy describes local homeless encampments
• 03:40 — Critique of city agencies' procedures (just counting homeless as “job done”)
• 06:52 — Roster of politicians called out for failed leadership
• 07:10 — Anecdote about telling children to avoid homeless with “no pants,” highlighting the severity of mental illness on the streets
• 08:20 — On basic human compassion and manipulation by politicians
• 10:40 — NYC homelessness has increased by 26%
• 11:16 — Final stinging comparison of Mamdani, de Blasio, and Giuliani

Tone and Style

Kennedy’s tone is irreverent, sarcastic, and punchy, blending personal anecdotes with stinging political criticism. She makes heavy use of humor—sometimes dark or provocative—to keep the subject engaging and underline her points. Throughout, she positions herself as an advocate for both overburdened taxpayers and the neglected homeless population, while giving no quarter to perceived government inefficiency or progressive policymakers.

For listeners seeking a direct, unfiltered viewpoint on public spending and urban policy—with plenty of biting wit—this episode offers pointed criticism, memorable commentary, and a call for accountability in New York City’s ongoing homelessness crisis.