PBD Podcast | Ep. 672

Date: October 24, 2025
Title: Cuomo DESTROYS Mamdani, NBA Mafia Gambling Bust & Trump TURNS China On Russia

Episode Overview

This episode of the PBD Podcast, hosted by Patrick Bet-David (Pat), focused on some of the biggest stories shaking up politics, sports, and geopolitics. The crew (Tom, Vinny, Adam, and Rob) dissected the explosive NBA mafia-linked gambling scandal, analyzed the fiery New York City mayoral debate (where Andrew Cuomo "destroyed" rival Mamdani), and covered shifting global alliances as Trump strong-arms China in the Russia sanctions standoff. Other topics included the decline of Christianity in America, economic warnings around car repossessions, and notable political and social news.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Opening Comments & Life Advice

[00:25] Pat:

• Starts with advice: “If you’re making $26.6 million a year, don’t break the law betting and gambling and leave the game nine minutes in for $200,000 of cash. You know what you call that? You call that double dumb.”
• Sets the tone with upcoming NBA scandal discussion (Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups), the NYC mayoral debate, and breaking geopolitical news about China agreeing to stop buying Russian oil.

2. US-Canada Tariff Drama, Reagan vs. Trump [07:25 - 14:30]

• Canada allegedly used fake Ronald Reagan remarks in an ad to attack Trump’s tariff policy.
• [09:33] Reagan clip:
  “Tariffs hurt every American worker and consumer... Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt, markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down, millions lose their jobs.”
• Tom contextualizes:
  [10:32] Tom:
  “Reagan was talking about not punching first with tariffs. Trump is punching back.”
• Consensus: Trump’s tough approach is justified as a response to decades of unfair trade practices.
• [13:13] Vinny: “...your neighbor is lying to your face. You don’t renegotiate. You close the gate. Good for them.”

3. NYC Mayoral Race – Cuomo, Mamdani, and the Debate Fireworks [15:02 - 36:35]

Cuomo vs. Mamdani – Debate Highlights

• Cuomo aggressively challenges Mamdani’s record and qualifications:
  • [15:26] Cuomo: “I did things. You have never had a job. You've never accomplished anything... worst attendance record in the assembly... missed 80% of the votes. Shame on you.”
• Hosts agree Cuomo “destroyed” Mamdani in this exchange.
  • [16:04] Vinny: “That’s what I’m talking about. Like, I wish it happened earlier.”
  • [16:10] Tom: “He brought receipts on Mamdani… pointed out what he had done for NY.”

Mamdani Fires Back:

• [17:07] Mamdani: Highlights sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo, brings accuser to the debate audience.
• Cuomo responds: Cases went to five different district attorneys and were dropped.
• [18:29] Tom: “I love the fact that he came back with the receipts on it.”

Electoral Analysis

• Adam breaks down the schism: If only native New Yorkers voted, Cuomo would win; immigrants overwhelmingly support Mamdani.
• Debate over whether Cuomo’s late tactics are too little, too late.
  • [21:18] Vinny: “It’s beyond late.”

Comedy & Media Influence

• Discussion of Mandani’s appearance on Andrew Schulz’s podcast—Schulz pledges to pay extra taxes if Mandani wins, signals New York cultural divide.
  • [27:36] Pat: “Schulz wants Mamdani to win... Schultz is trying to help Mamdani win.”

4. NBA Mafia Scandal – Gambling, Arrests & the Mob [37:06 - 61:00]

The Scandal Breaks

• NBA figures (Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones, Terry Rozier) implicated in illegal gambling and Mafia ties.
  • [37:51] Cash Patel (FBI): “What you don't know is that this is an illegal gambling operation... FBI led a coordinated takedown... over 30 individuals... Including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Luchesi crime families.”

Interview: Tim Donaghy (former NBA referee, convicted for betting scandal)

• Predicts "tip of the iceberg," says NBA can't cover this up like his case was.
  • [39:41] Tim: “...this is a lot bigger than it is right now—and it’s pretty big.”
• Explains how wire fraud works and the kind of trouble involved.
• Mob methods: Targeting NBA/NFL/college for inside info and leverage.
  • [44:45] Tim: “You get comfortable with somebody, think they’re your friend, next thing you know they have something on you... they have their claws into you...”
• Suggests college sports will be next for scandal: "Mob goes to college kids, says the spread is 15, just win by 11, here's $50K..."
  • [49:38] Tim: “The next big scandal is going to be at the college level.”

Culture of Betting in Sports

• Panel notes the deep gambling culture in the NBA and the rise in legal sports betting tools—such as FanDuel, DraftKings—intermingling with mainstream sports.

Stephen A. Smith’s Take & Replies

• [52:30] Stephen A. claims prosecution is Trump’s revenge for anti-Trump activism in the NBA.
  • [57:54] Cash Patel: “That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history. We arrest people for crimes.”
• Panel dismisses idea that Trump “ordered” the FBI raids but accepts that Trump may want public exposure.

5. Trump, China, and Russia – Geopolitical Chess [97:43 - 108:15]

China Cuts Off Russian Oil

• After new US sanctions, China’s major oil companies (PetroChina, Sinopec, etc.) suspend Russian oil purchases.
  • [99:24] Pat: “You went from what’s going on with Russia to now China is saying... that guy’s crazy on the other side. You better stop this war, he’s making our life a living hell.”
  • [101:18] Tom: “China’s playing the long game... this is a squeeze.”
• Panel notes Trump’s negotiating prowess, using trade and diplomacy pressure.

Trump on Taiwan

• [104:52] Trump: “I don’t think we’re going to need [force]. We’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that...” (on Taiwan invasion)
• Trump depicted as the "shot caller" on global affairs.
  • [102:39] Pat: “...one guy’s calling all the shots, and that’s Trump, period.”

Bill Ackman Endorsement

• [107:04] Bill Ackman: “We have the most pro business president we’ve had in a long time..."

6. Religious & Cultural Dynamics -- Christianity Decline, Islam Rise

[84:51 - 96:57]

Decline of Christianity

• Pew: Christians now 62% (was 90% in 1970), could be 46% by 2070; Islam rising.
• Adam:
  • [86:43] “Christians, I’m rooting for you... there’s a little religion that started in the Middle East... and they’re coming for you buddy.”

Panel on Why Christianity is Losing Ground

• Vinny: Christians have stopped fighting, “ashamed of their own faith.”
• Pat: Islam is “playing offense,” Muslims have more children, are younger and bolder in public advocacy.
• Tom: “It’s the war for the youth... Five calls to prayer a day is very intentional. Christians need to be equally intentional.”

Notable Exchange:

• [90:49] Mehdi Hasan: “If you can play church bells, you can play the call to prayer.”
• [95:07] Vinny: “Christians need to stand up, bro... No, God will take care of it? No, no. It’s our job.”

7. Business, Economy & Society

Auto Loan Defaults And Repos Rise [124:13]

• Subprime auto loan defaults rising; warning sign for the middle class.
  • [125:56] Tom: “Not gloom and doom, but definitely a check engine light... We need more, higher-paying jobs.”

Sharp Drop in Young Adults Identifying as Transgender [111:41]

• Reports show trans-identifying students halved in two years.
  • Multiple panelists tie decline to widespread discussion, resistance to “trans ideology,” and the lasting impacts of COVID (rise in TikTok, social trends).
  • [114:35] Tom: Credits public figures like Bill Maher calling out social contagion and parents returning to “common sense.”

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pat, on Cuomo vs. Mamdani debate: "Cuomo came out, straight up, destroyed Mamdani in this one clip." [15:02]
• Vinny, on NYC elections: "It’s beyond late [for Cuomo]." [21:19]
• Tim Donaghy: "I think we’re just at the tip of the iceberg... it’s going to spread like wildfire." [39:41]
• Cash Patel, on Trump revenge theory: "That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard..." [57:54]
• Adam, on NYC exodus: "I have friends in Miami… can’t wait. They're going to make a killing [from New Yorkers leaving]." [34:10]
• Tom, on religious trends: "It’s the war for the youth. Five calls to prayer a day is very intentional. Christians need to be equally intentional." [92:12]
• Bill Ackman: "We have the most pro-business president we've had in a very long time." [107:04]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• NBA Gambling Mafia Scandal – [37:06 - 61:00]
• NYC Mayoral Debate (Cuomo vs. Mamdani) – [15:02 - 36:35]
• Tariff Battles & Reagan/Trump Philosophy – [07:25 - 14:30]
• Trump, China & Russia Global Maneuvering – [97:43 - 108:15]
• Decline of Christianity, Rise of Islam in US – [84:51 - 96:57]
• US Economy: Car Repo Surge – [124:13]
• Sharp Drop in Young Adults Identifying as Trans – [111:41]

Tone & Style

• Engaged, provocative, and direct.
• Candid exchanges, lively debates, and plenty of humor and “shots fired” among hosts and guest clips.
• Frequent attribution of quotes and opinions, with panelists clearly identified.

For Further Exploration

• If interested in civic engagement, media analysis, or the intersection of sports and criminal enterprise, the detail in the NBA segment is especially rich.
• Issues of identity, faith, and shifting demographic trends come to life in the candid Christianity/Islam discussion.
• The political coverage ties in media, money, and grassroots dynamics leading up to 2026.

[End of Summary]