Kennedy Saves the World
Episode: Populism, Politics, and Pie
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Brad Palumbo
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.
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)
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)
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
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.
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.