Populism, Politics, and Pie

Summary

Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Populism, Politics, and Pie
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Brad Palumbo

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the rise of populism in American politics, specifically exploring the election and rapid controversy surrounding Zoran Momdani, a self-described democratic socialist recently elected in New York City. Kennedy and Brad Palumbo parse the role of social media, youth voters, and political branding, while examining whether this constitutes a true leftward shift in national politics or merely reflects lackluster electoral choices. The conversation pivots from political critique to lighthearted Thanksgiving banter, capturing the episode’s blend of humor and sharp commentary.

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Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. How Did Zoran Momdani Win? (00:10 - 03:16)

• Lack of Choices: Brad emphasizes that Momdani’s victory is less a revolutionary shift and more a byproduct of weak opposition ("There were really terrible options... people chose one of the terrible options who was charismatic and good looking, and yes, cartoonishly radical." - Brad, 01:57).
  • Opponents like Curtis Sliwa were seen as unviable in NYC.
• Appeal to Young Voters: Kennedy blames “the youngs” for being swayed by social media and Momdani’s charm, while Brad adds that young people are attracted to “free everything” (Brad, 02:19) but notes a lack of real-world experience with such policies.
• Idealism vs. Narcissism: Kennedy notes the cycle of political idealists believing “this time, it’ll be different,” despite repeated failures of such experiments (Kennedy, 03:16).

2. The Policy Realities & Red Flags (03:16 - 04:37)

• Radical Platform Underplayed: Brad expresses concern that Momdani’s most radical ideas, like taxpayer-funded gender transitions for minors, have received little scrutiny ("He actually wants to use New York City taxpayer dollars to fund free gender transitions for minors..." - Brad, 03:37).
  • Kennedy points out many European countries now prohibit such practices for minors, highlighting US exceptionalism here (Kennedy, 04:16).
• Nordic Exceptionalism Used Selectively: Both note the inconsistency in progressives pointing to European models, which often lack minimum wage laws and have shifted rightward on gender medicine (Kennedy and Brad, 04:21 - 04:37).

3. Moments in the White House: Trump and Zoran (05:09 - 06:42)

• An Unlikely, Brief ‘Unity’: Brad acknowledges Momdani’s political skill in flattering Trump, resulting in an unexpectedly cordial meeting (“Trump can be flattered... he went in there and I think he charmed Trump and Trump responded to him positively.” - Brad, 05:09).
• Inevitable Conflict: Both agree this harmony will be short-lived over non-negotiable policies like immigration enforcement and minors’ medical access, with likely legal showdowns ("There is a tug of war here... it may end up being resolved in the courtroom." - Brad, 06:12).

4. Where Does Progressivism Go from Here? (07:33 - 10:34)

• Bernie’s Lasting Legacy: Brad argues that the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign shifted the Democratic Party’s ideological center left, making today’s norm what was then fringe (Brad, 07:57).
• Democratic Socialism Ascendant: Zoran Momdani’s win is portrayed as a symptom, not the cause, of a broader leftward movement. Brad warns that even as public faces grow more moderate, policies continue to trend socialist.
• Communist Rhetoric in the Mainstream: Kennedy recalls Momdani’s earlier radical tweets, noting the risk of politicians hiding true intentions until elected (Kennedy, 09:45; “You could just be saying you don't mean that now to get elected. But we cannot see into his heart.” - Kennedy, 10:01).
• Concerns for NYC: Brad shares worries about potential policy experiments ("I really worry for New York City and it's nice to be in Florida, I'll tell you that." - Brad, 10:14).

5. Thanksgiving Rapid-Fire: “This or That?” (10:34 - 12:49)

A playful segment where Kennedy and Brad choose their Thanksgiving favorites, reflecting the show’s lighter side. Highlights and picks:

• Pumpkin Pie or Apple Pie?
  • Brad: "Pumpkin pie." (10:47)
• Cranberry Sauce:
  • Brad: "Canned." Kennedy: "I'm homemade."
• Football or Macy’s Parade?
  • Brad: "Oh, is neither an option?" (11:05)
• Wine:
  • Brad: "Whatever's open." (11:14)
• Hosting or Guest:
  • Brad: "Hosting. But somebody else cooks." (11:39)
• Potatoes:
  • Both love mashed (11:49)
• Stuffing:
  • Brad: "Baked separately." (11:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Candidate Choices:
  • “Curtis Sliwa looks like an old lady in Paris stumbled into a beret shop.” (Kennedy, 02:07)
• On Youth Voting:
  • “Who wouldn't love the sound of free everything? But I do worry that we're going to have to enter a mess around and find out phase in New York City...” (Brad, 02:19)
• On Policy Blind Spots:
  • “They love to point to Nordic countries... except on that issue [youth gender medicine].” (Brad, 04:21)
• On Political Realignment:
  • “Bernie, despite losing the elections, he essentially won the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.” (Brad, 07:57)
• On Democratic Socialism:
  • “That's not glossy, shellacked socialism. That's communism.” (Kennedy, 09:13)
• On Political Authenticity:
  • “He was literally tweeting verses from the Communist Manifesto... six months before the election.” (Brad, 09:45)
• On Thanksgiving:
  • “Why not both?” [second helping or stretchy pants] (Brad, 11:32)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:10: Episode opens; Kennedy frames the Zoran Momdani White House episode
• 01:19: Introduction of Brad Palumbo
• 01:47: Brad on why Zoran won ("terrible options...")
• 03:16: Discussion of young voters' attraction to "free everything"
• 03:37: Brad highlights unreported radicalism in Zoran’s platform
• 04:37: Debate on whether European models support American progressives' claims
• 05:09: Trump-Zoran White House interaction
• 06:12: Anticipated federal funding battles, legal fights
• 07:33: The broader trend in progressivism; Democratic Party shifts
• 09:13: Kennedy’s warning about redistribution and “communism”
• 10:34: Thanksgiving rapid-fire fun

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Tone and Style

• The dialog is lively, irreverent, and peppered with Kennedy’s trademark quips and sarcasm.
• Both speakers combine humor with substantive critique, particularly around American and European political trends.
• The closing “This or That?” segment keeps the episode light and relatable, contrasting with the heavier political analysis.

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In summary:
Listeners get a fast-paced, witty take on the intersection of populism, policy, generational divides, and the leftward tilt in American politics, anchored by Kennedy’s sharp wit and Brad Palumbo’s policy expertise. The episode is as much political diagnosis as holiday banter, making it both informative and entertaining.

Transcript

[Brad Palumbo]

Foreign.

[Kennedy]

Hello and welcome to this episode of Kennedy Saves the World. So Zoran Momdani went to the White House and everyone was like, yay, Kumbaya. This is amazing. Look how cute Zoran and Donald are. They're best friends. Hate loses, love wins. But it turns out it only took 48 hours and Zoran was back to calling the president a fascist and a despot. And you know, maybe the, the love was short lived, but how did we get here in the first place? I blame the youngs, young millennials and gen zers who can vote. They fell for Zoron's dimples in social media game. And here to break it all down is one of my very favorite young influencers, Brad Palumbo. He is obviously an independent journalist and YouTuber, but he's also blankly fellow with Steamboat Institute, a contributor at the Washington examiner, and he hosts Brad vs. Everyone, which is an award winning podcast. Brad Palumbo, welcome back to Kennedy Saves the World.

[Brad Palumbo]

Thank you so much for having me. It's good to be with you. And the awards are still yet to come for the podcast, but the award of your support is the only award that really matters.

[Kennedy]

That's the one that matters and it counts. You can put that on your resume. So how did, how did Daran Mamdani get elected? What happened? Is this just a different flavor of populism cast in a socialist light? How did, how did he sneak over the goal line?

[Brad Palumbo]

Well, I think that it's easy to overanalyze his victory a little much because you do have to remember what the alternative was.

[Kennedy]

Awful, horrible, awful and abysmal.

[Brad Palumbo]

Yeah. And then Curtis Lewa, I mean, he's a Republican, New York City. So it's always going to be a massive uphill, uphill challenge. But when you had Andrew Cuomo as the alternative option in the Democratic primary.

[Kennedy]

I mean, Curtis Lewa looks like an old lady in Paris stumbled into a beret shop.

[Brad Palumbo]

Have you seen what's above the hat, why he always keeps the hat on?

[Kennedy]

Yes, I have. He took it off a few times and it was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[Brad Palumbo]

Put it back on, put her back on. But I, I think we, we should be maybe not reading as much into it as, oh, this represents a revolution in American politics. It's actually just like there were really terrible options. And people chose one of the terrible options who was charismatic and good looking and, yes, cartoonishly radical. But frankly, I think a lot of young people don't care. They agree with a lot of it. And then the Extent to which they don't agree with it, it's because they haven't seen it implemented. Right. Zoran tweeted about defund the police, but it's not like it actually happened. It's not like the NYPD shut up shop. So I think a lot of the things that young people find attractive about his policy platforms. Who wouldn't love the sound of free everything? But I do worry that we're going to have to enter a mess around and find out phase in New York City if he actually gets to implement some of this stuff. And the free buses turn into mobile homeless shelter.

[Kennedy]

Of course. I mean, that's what happens with free buses. We have seen this in action, and it fails every time. But, you know, just because someone has an idealistic streak and they're a narcissist, they think that if their ideas are implemented somehow, some way, this time, it'll be different. And it never is.

[Brad Palumbo]

No, it isn't. And it is interesting the extent to which some of the radicalism of Zo runs agenda has gone under the radar. I mean, one of the most disturbing things that I don't think has been highlighted enough is that he actually wants to use New York City taxpayer dollars to fund free gender transitions for minors. So, no, not only will he fight to preserve what I think is a barbaric and unethical practice, I always support adults doing what they want with their bodies.

[Kennedy]

Absolutely.

[Brad Palumbo]

Absolutely not. He's also going to force New Yorkers to fund it. And that shows you how out of touch he is, because the American public largely doesn't even think that should be legal, let alone want to subsidize.

[Kennedy]

It's not legal in Europe. It's not legal in France and Italy.

[Brad Palumbo]

No. It's rapidly changing and the same. And it's funny enough that you say that because the Democratic socialists love to point to many of these Nordic countries or European countries, except on that issue. They don't want to point to them on that one because they're actually moving in the correct direction.

[Kennedy]

Yes. And in the Scandinavian countries, they also don't have minimum wage laws. That's how you can have a welfare state, Bernie. You can't force businesses to pay people $30 an hour and expect that with small margins in grocery stores and restaurants, that they're going to be able to do that and still make money. And it's the still making money part that allows businesses to stay in business. What did you make of the exchange between Zoran and Trump in the White House?

[Brad Palumbo]

I did think it was interesting because Zoran is, he's an adept politician, I will give him that. And he is charismatic. And he realized, which you would have actually thought that more Democrats would have realized this by now, that, that Trump can be flattered. He is very subject to flattery. And so he went in there and I think he charmed Trump and Trump responded to him positively. And all the people who said Trump is about to destroy him, that didn't really happen.

[Kennedy]

No.

[Brad Palumbo]

But I think it was an interesting moment in unity. But I promise you it will be very short lived. Until the first tension point where Trump wants ICE assistance with deporting people and Mamdani refuses, or Trump tries to crack down further on child sex change treatments and mom Donnie stands down on it or any number of issues, they are going to end up at each other's throats. This will not be long lived, this budding bromance, but I guess it was kind of nice to see.

[Kennedy]

So do you think Trump will withhold federal funding to as much of his ability for a city that he loves so much?

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, I think he will. He'll try. He'll certainly try. He's already, he's signed multiple executive orders that specifically say, I'm going to leverage federal funding. And then Zoran is specifically saying to, for example, hospitals, you must continue to provide gender treatments to children. And Trump is saying, you can't continue or we'll take away our federal funding. So there is a tug of war here that is going to have to give at some point and it may end up being resolved largely in the courtroom, but it will be a boiling point.

[Kennedy]

Don't go anywhere. More Kennedy Saves the World right after this. Hi, I'm here to pick up my son, Milo. There's no Milo here who picked up.

[Brad Palumbo]

My son from school? Streaming only. I'm gonna need the name of everyone that could have a connection.

[Kennedy]

You don't understand.

[Brad Palumbo]

It was just the fight of us.

[Kennedy]

So this was all planned.

[Brad Palumbo]

What are you gonna do? I will do whatever it takes to.

[Kennedy]

Get my son back.

[Brad Palumbo]

I honestly didn't see this coming. These nice people killing each other.

[Announcer]

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[Kennedy]

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[Announcer]

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[Kennedy]

So where does progressivism go from here? Because, yes, progressives feel very emboldened by Zuron's win. And they see this as a massive turning point in their movement when Democratic socialism took hold in America's largest city. And that will be the touch point for the. The political conflagration that burns up the rest of the country.

[Brad Palumbo]

I actually think the touch point was 2016, the Democratic presidential primary. If you go back all the way back then, and Bernie Sanders technically lost the primary against Hillary Clinton, but his ideas won inside the Democratic Party. So you go back and look at Hillary Clinton's agenda from 2016. She was against canceling student loans. She was against a $15 minimum wage. She was against socializing health care. All these things that the Democrats have now all just rallied around. And so Bernie, despite losing the elections, he essentially won the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. And they have moved towards him in recent years. And I think Zoran is just a typification of that broader trend to the left inside the Democratic Party. And I think he is probably the future, although outside of New York City, they're going to put a more polished or moderate face on it in many ways. So maybe that's a Pete Buttigieg or somebody who has a more moderate vibe and less of a radical aesthetic. But the actual future of the policy of the Democratic Party is of democratic socialism. It is of DSA light. And I think that's really concerning if you care about the long term prosperity and thriving of the American economy, because it's the exact opposite of, of what has made us one of the most successful.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, it's capitalism versus socialism. It is the demonization of wealth. It is the desire to redistribute everything and make sure that government has ownership of the means of production. And, you know, that's not glossy, shellacked socialism. That's communism. You know, it's like redistribution is the heart of communism and that is ultimately what they want to do. And so far, with Zoran's transition team, like, he's not, he's not calling up the moderates, you know.

[Brad Palumbo]

No. And it's funny because just a few years ago, he was literally tweeting verses from the Communist Manifesto, like direct quotes. And he was talking about seizing private property six months before the election. He's like, no, no, no, we're not going to do all of that. And it's like, we know who the real Zoran is. So yeah, so don't gaslight.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, but what he says things like, well, obviously I don't mean that now. It's like, well, that's actually not obvious. Like, you could just be saying, you don't mean that now to get elected. But we cannot see into his heart.

[Brad Palumbo]

You know, it's interesting. Even with the defund the police stuff, he said, oh, no, I'm going to work with the police. He just appointed a major defund the police activist to his transition committee. So it's like, who is the real Zo Run going to come out and if so, how much we'll be able to do? If so. I really worry for New York City and it's nice to be in Florida, I'll tell you that.

[Kennedy]

Yes. Well, I'm glad you're spending some time in Florida. I know you're going to have a lovely Thanksgiving. So can we play a quick Thanksgiving version of this or that?

[Brad Palumbo]

Let's do it.

[Kennedy]

Okay. Pumpkin pie or apple pie?

[Brad Palumbo]

Pumpkin pie.

[Kennedy]

Well said. For the turkey, white or dark meat?

[Brad Palumbo]

White meat.

[Kennedy]

I'll take the dark cranberry sauce. Canned or homemade?

[Brad Palumbo]

Canned.

[Kennedy]

I'm homemade. Football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, it's neither an option.

[Kennedy]

Yes, it is. Fancy wine or whatever's open in the fridge.

[Brad Palumbo]

Whatever's open.

[Kennedy]

I like it. You're not a snob.

[Brad Palumbo]

No, it's lost on me.

[Kennedy]

Anyway, cooking all day or store bought dish?

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, store bought dish.

[Kennedy]

All right. Second helping or going straight for the stretchy pants?

[Brad Palumbo]

Why not both?

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that's absolutely right. Hosting or being a guest with a side dish?

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, hosting. But somebody else cooks.

[Kennedy]

Brilliant. That's the way to do it. Because then you can kick everyone out when you want mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes.

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, mashed potatoes for sure.

[Kennedy]

Agree. Stuffing inside the bird or baked separately?

[Brad Palumbo]

Baked separately.

[Kennedy]

Only way to do it. All right. Stuffing or. Sorry. Formal table setting or cozy casual? Rustic meal.

[Brad Palumbo]

Casual for me.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, I agree with that. I do love a little bit of rustic charm. Black Friday shopping or Cyber Monday?

[Brad Palumbo]

Oh, Cyber Monday all the way.

[Kennedy]

Agree completely. I would not go to a mall if you paid me unless it was like $10,000 in party cash. Then I would go. Friendsgiving or traditional family Thanksgiving?

[Brad Palumbo]

Family family Thanksgiving.

[Kennedy]

Absolutely.

[Brad Palumbo]

Potentially both.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. No, that's true. I love having people who don't have somewhere to go. I love over. Especially people from outside the country if they don't have anywhere to go. It's like, come on up. Brad Palumbo, you are an absolute delight. It's Brad versus everyone. And guess what? Brad wins every time. Thank you, dear. So good to have you here on the podcast.

[Brad Palumbo]

Of course. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Kennedy]

You too. And to you and yours. This has been Kennedy Saves the World along with Brad Palumbo. I'm Kennedy. Listen ad With a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcast and Amazon prime, members can listen to this show ad free on the Amazon Music app. Oh, go ahead and leave me a review while you're there. I'd love to hear what you have to say. You've been listening to Kennedy Saves the World on the Fox News Podcast Network.

[Announcer]

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