PBD Podcast Ep. 689 — Detailed Summary

Date: November 24, 2025
Episode Title: Mamdani Calls Trump Fascist, MTG Resigns, Putin Peace Deal + Minnesota Funding Al-Shabaab?
Host: Patrick Bet-David (Pat)
Panel: Tom, Vinnie, Adam, Rob
Main Theme:
A wide-ranging discussion of current political flashpoints including Mamdani's critique of Trump as "fascist," the resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG), allegations of Minnesota tax dollars funding Al-Shabaab, turmoil in Chicago, emerging peace negotiations in Ukraine, and American cities’ changing demographics, along with a foray into IVF “designer babies.”

1. The Mamdani–Trump Exchange: "Just Say Yes" ([10:01]–[22:00])

Key Points:

• Context: Mamdani, a New York City politician, met with President Trump after previously labeling him a "fascist."

• Viral Moment: During a press conference, when asked if Mamdani stands by his earlier claim, Trump interjected, "That's okay. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it." ([10:16], [20:08])

  • Quote:
    • Trump: "That's okay. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it." ([10:16])
    • Mamdani: "It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." ([20:15])

• Panel Take:

  • Pat: Praises Trump’s confidence and how his tactic “neutralized” Mamdani.
  • Tom: Highlights that both politicians spoke to their bases and calls Trump “the alpha.”
  • Adam: Argues Trump’s tactic prevents Mamdani from playing the victim in future failures.
  • Vinnie: Warns using “fascist” is dangerous, as it incites dehumanizing political rhetoric.
  • Notable observation: Mamdani’s body language appeared uncertain, as if questioning Trump’s unpredictable approach ([19:57]).

• Aftermath:

  • Mamdani reaffirms: “Yes, I think President Trump is a fascist. Everything I’ve said in the past, I continue to believe.” ([16:25], [16:55])
  • Political analysis: Trump’s approach quietly eliminates Mamdani’s ability to blame Trump for future city problems.

2. Chicago Crime Surge: "Bring in Trump" ([29:20]–[39:00])

Key Points:

• Incident: Violent riot in Chicago leaves eight shot, one dead. Juveniles involved; one 14-year-old was killed. Reports of chants for Trump to return.
• Quote: "Six children were shot including a 13-year-old, two 14-year-olds...a 14-year-old boy was shot and later died at the hospital." (Pat, [30:15])
• Panel Take:
  • Vinnie: Cites stunning criminal recidivism (e.g., perpetrator with 72 arrests, only served 2.5 years), criticizes local Democratic leadership for failure to address safety.
  • Tom: Attributes violence to lack of accountability and pandered entitlements.
  • Adam: Wonders if problems are widespread or concentrated in select neighborhoods.
  • Consensus: Voters’ loyalty to dysfunctional leadership is bewildering.

3. Minnesota, Somalia, and Al-Shabaab: U.S. Dollars to Terror? ([40:45]–[53:32])

Key Points:

• Big Story: Trump announces end to Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing crime and massive fraud.
• Allegations: Hundreds of millions in welfare fraud by Somali immigrants; investigators allege Minnesota is a major indirect funder of Al-Shabaab.
  • Quote: "The biggest funder of Al Shabaab is a Minnesota taxpayer." ([41:11], [49:52])
• Somali police belief: Viral video surfaces of an officer telling Somali community, “We work for you…unlike white officers,” raising questions on assimilation vs. loyalties ([41:11]).
• Ilhan Omar: Resurfaces with incendiary quote, calls Republicans the “pedophile protection party.” ([43:14])
• Panel Take:
  • Vinnie, Tom: Critique lack of assimilation in immigrant enclaves, warn about law enforcement partiality and funding terror groups.
  • Adam: Supports ethnic diversity in policing, but calls for cultural assimilation.

4. Demographic Engineering & Welfare: Dearborn’s $4,500 for New Moms ([53:47]–[56:31])

Key Points:

• Policy News: Dearborn, MI, launches a program giving $4,500 to expectant mothers. City highlighted as producing more babies per capita than any other in Michigan.
• Panel Take:
  • Vinnie: Sees this as demographic transformation via welfare.
  • Adam: Calls Dearborn “an Islamic welfare state—no way, Mashallah.”
  • Tom: Warns Americans will be “bred out” if they don’t increase birth rates.
• Controversial Leadership: Dearborn mayor tells a constituent expressing criticism, “You are not welcome here...when you move out, I’ll throw a parade.” ([56:11])

5. Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) Resigns: Fallout in MAGA Movement ([58:08]–[74:17])

Key Points:

• Resignation Speech: MTG announces she is stepping away from Congress effective January 1st, citing “abuse” from the MAGA machine and Trump himself.
  • Quote: "I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better..." ([58:08])
• Trump’s response: Labels her “Marjorie Trader Brown," says she chose to quit rather than face a Trump-backed challenger ([59:13]).
• Panel Analysis:
  • Tom: Believes MTG is positioning for a future presidential run, referencing quick polling bumps.
  • Adam: Dismisses the notion that firebrand Congresspeople like MTG or AOC can ever have presidential clout, calling them “irrelevant outside safe districts.”
  • Vinnie: Sees potential for her to be a disruptive “Ross Perot” type in future GOP primaries.
  • Pat: Floats theory that TV offers (e.g., The View) may lure such personalities from Congress.

6. Tijuana Mayor—Cartel Corruption and Threats ([76:39]–[89:41])

Key Points:

• Story: Tijuana’s mayor threatened legal action against media outlets reporting on his investigation for cartel links and money laundering ([76:39]).
• Tom: Notes the absurdity—the mayor is under federal investigation for cartel ties, threatens the press, and thus amplifies scrutiny.
• Panel Stories:
  • Adam: Declares Mexico the “most corrupt shithole in the Western hemisphere,” criticizing those investing or vacationing there.
  • Pat, Vinnie: Share memories of trips to Tijuana; emphasize rise in violence and danger over the years.

7. Venezuela & Maduro: U.S. Pressure for Regime Change ([92:00]–[101:43])

Key Points:

• Current news: President Maduro tightens security amid U.S. military pressure.
  • Tom: Draws parallels to Noriega’s ouster, speculates U.S. is waiting for the right transition and is possibly flipping senior regime members.
  • Pat, Adam: Note Trump’s interest in a smooth exit for Maduro, possibly to help Marco Rubio’s foreign policy credentials ahead of 2028.
  • Analysis: U.S. wants Venezuela normalized for oil—Russia and China interests complicate matters.

8. Media Shake-up: Bari Weiss at CBS ([102:03]–[112:06])

Key Points:

• Industry News: Bari Weiss, ex–New York Times, reportedly brought in by CBS owner David Ellison to overhaul network and “eliminate left-wing bias.”
  • Quote: "I want to blow things up." (Bari Weiss, as reported by Pat, [103:35])
• Panel Analysis:
  • Tom likens CBS to a struggling “Airbnb portfolio” needing house rules overhaul.
  • Vinnie: Points out Free Press (Weiss's company) had modest subscriber numbers—big money likely about CBS leadership.
  • Adam: Calls Weiss a bona fide “media power player” now.

9. Ukraine–Russia Peace Deal: U.S. Ultimatum ([113:19]–[130:24])

Key Points:

• Breaking News: U.S. envoy tells Ukraine to sign Russian-brokered peace deal by Thursday, or support may end.
  • Trump: "I inherited this war. I thought [Zelensky] should have made a deal a year ago, two years ago. You don't have the cards." ([113:33])
• Negotiation:
  • Tom: Sees signs of a real breakthrough; U.S. telling Europe, “we’re not negotiating details.”
  • Vinnie: Suggests Zelensky resists peace to retain Western aid.
  • Adam: Says funding Ukraine strategically weakens adversaries Russia, Iran, China.
  • Consensus: Trump is moving aggressively to conclude the war for both political and geopolitical win.

10. “Designer Babies”: IVF, Eugenics, and Ethics ([133:01]–[138:24])

Key Points:

• News Item: Nucleus Genomes offers “genetic optimization” to select embryos based on physical and intelligence traits.
  • Panel is uneasy; Tom calls it “dystopian,” Vinnie says it’s ‘not man’s place to play God.’
  • Adam: Takes pragmatic view—market will decide, and notes 1% clientele will buy high-tech IVF.
  • Pat: “God picked those kids for me.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s okay. You can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it.” – Trump to Mamdani ([10:16], [20:12])
• “Chicagoans need to wake your asses up and stop voting for these people. This blind loyalty…is nuts.” – Vinnie ([33:38])
• “The biggest funder of Al Shabaab is a Minnesota taxpayer.” – Citing federal investigators ([49:52])
• "I refuse to be a battered wife...If I am cast aside by the president and the MAGA political machine...then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well." – Marjorie Taylor Greene ([58:08])
• “Mexico is the most corrupt shithole in the Western hemisphere.” – Adam ([81:40])
• “I want to blow things up.” – Bari Weiss, as cited by Pat ([103:35])
• "I inherited this war. I thought [Zelensky] should have made a deal a year ago, two years ago. You don't have the cards." – Donald Trump ([113:33])
• “When you play ‘choose the winner’… I’m really against that. I’m not liking what I’m seeing.” – Tom, on embryo selection ([133:01])

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Mamdani–Trump confrontation: [10:01]–[22:00]
• Chicago crime debate: [29:20]–[39:00]
• Minnesota, Somalia, and terror finance: [40:45]–[53:32]
• Dearborn, MI welfare and demographics: [53:47]–[56:31]
• Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation: [58:08]–[74:17]
• Tijuana, Mexico & corruption: [76:39]–[89:41]
• Venezuela/Maduro regime: [92:00]–[101:43]
• Media shakeup at CBS: [102:03]–[112:06]
• Ukraine–Russia peace ultimatum: [113:19]–[130:24]
• Genetically engineered embryos: [133:01]–[138:24]

Overall Tone

Unfiltered, combative, irreverent, but direct—true to the PBD Podcast style. Panelists openly speculate, disagree, and riff on politics, media, and social trends, with a blend of humor, outrage, and candor.

Summary for New Listeners

Episode 689 dives deep into America's political raw nerves—using the Mamdani–Trump exchange as a lens on polarization, dissecting Democratic city mismanagement, exposing the underbelly of immigration and welfare policy, and exploring new ethical frontiers with “designer babies.” If you want real-time reactions and barbershop-style breakdowns on this week’s controversies, this show delivers everything but the filter.