Podcast Summary: Breaking Point with David Zier – November 8, 2025
Podcast: Real America's Voice
Host: David Zier
Episode Original Air Date: November 8, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of "Breaking Point" dives into the aftermath of a particularly eventful election week, exploring the rise of Democratic Socialists in New York City, the ongoing debates around January 6th, and a new wave of skepticism toward climate change orthodoxy. Host David Zier features in-depth interviews with retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Thomas E. Caldwell about his new book recounting the January 6th prosecutions, youth activists and their support for socialist politics in New York, New York Young Republicans president Stefano Forte, longtime media figure Adam Weiss, and climate scientist Greg Wrightstone. The episode stresses the generational and ideological divides shaping American politics and spotlights voices challenging mainstream narratives.
1. The January 6th Aftermath: Thomas E. Caldwell on DOJ Persecution
Key Segment: [05:09–13:52]
Main Topics
- Thomas E. Caldwell's Book: Discussion of "The Mouths of the Wicked," Caldwell's account of his experience as a January 6th defendant.
- SWAT Raid and False Charges: Caldwell describes a pre-dawn FBI raid on his home, the evolving—and, he asserts, fabricated—charges, and his belief the DOJ knowingly prosecuted innocent people.
- Government Overreach and Absolute Immunity: Caldwell recounts his legal struggle, accusing DOJ lawyers of falsification, suborning perjury, and operating with unchecked power.
- Restoration Beyond Pardons: Personal impact—loss of reputation, the role of faith, and difficulties faced even if pardoned.
Notable Quotes
- “They said that I was the top banana, the big cheese, and I was the mastermind of January 6, even though they did absolutely no investigation on me whatsoever before they sent a SWAT team to our farm in Virginia.” — Thomas E. Caldwell [07:48]
- “My very first lawyer said the DOJ knows that you’re innocent, but you know what? They don’t care.” — Thomas E. Caldwell [08:06]
- “…they lied and they obfuscated and they made up phony exhibits and they suborned perjury… they’re all operating under a thing called absolute immunity, David, which means do anything you want to do, and there’s never any censure…” — Thomas E. Caldwell [11:28]
- “Somebody has to tell this story. Somebody has to get the word out to the American people. And my wife and I, we endured so much and we kept together with our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” — Thomas E. Caldwell [12:46]
Additional Details
- Book Availability: puffinpublishers.com
- Message: Caldwell hopes to educate and challenge prevailing narratives about January 6th, and credits faith as his main support through the ordeal.
2. Youth Activism and the Socialist Surge in New York
Key Segment: [20:14–24:38]
Main Topics
- On-the-Ground Interviews: Zier interviews three female Pace University students, all Mamdani supporters, about why they voted and their priority issues (housing cost, affordability, inclusion).
- Generational Divide: The young voters express frustration with high costs, advocate for taxing the wealthy, and downplay worries that business might leave the city due to leftward policy shifts.
Memorable Quotes
- “[Housing] affects all of New Yorkers and everyone in the city.” — Pace University Student [20:56]
- “It’s really inspiring for our generation to see someone like [Mamdani] who came from the bottom.” — Pace University Student [21:57]
- “If there’s no jobs, then nobody needs a house.” — David Zier [22:46]
- “Tax me, tax me, so people can have food to live… Tax me so these homeless people can get off the streets.” — Pace University Student [23:02]
3. Analysis: Conservative Reaction and the Economic Debate
Guest: Stefano Forte (President, NY Young Republicans)
Key Segment: [24:38–31:46]
Main Topics
- Generational Despair & Exploitation: Forte argues young people feel hopeless about owning homes or having children, making them receptive to socialist “heroes.”
- Critique of Socialist Politics: Forte sees leftist politicians as exploiting economic insecurity for power, but acknowledges the hard work and dedication of Mamdani’s campaign volunteers.
- Republican Path Forward: Hints at upcoming efforts to “fight back” against the socialist surge at both state and city levels.
Notable Quotes
- “When the stomach is hungry, the mind will eat anything. And right now, there are young people in this country that do not believe that the United States is a place where they can own a home.” — Stefano Forte [26:38]
- “We want to improve, not move. But I can understand why people are dooming about New York City right now.” — Stefano Forte [29:47]
- “Join the crew that’s fighting Mamdani. www.nyyrc.com. We throw the best parties, best galas, and we do the most deployments for our candidates.” — Stefano Forte [31:14]
4. Election Post-Mortem: Adam Weiss on New York's Political Shift
Key Segment: [36:45–46:45]
Main Topics
- Campaign Breakdown: Weiss gives detailed analysis on why moderate and Republican voters moved to support Cuomo instead of Mamdani or Sliwa.
- Populist Messaging: Emphasizes how Mamdani succeeded with clear, relatable promises—lowering food costs, free buses, universal child healthcare, rent freezes.
- Cultural Commentary: Zier and Weiss criticize the “socialist” victory party for charging for drinks, ironically highlighting capitalist practices amid anti-capitalist rhetoric.
- Charter Revisions: Discussion of recent changes to New York City’s government structure and how these empower the new mayor for public housing initiatives.
Notable Quotes
- “Mamdani is a great actor, great campaign. He stuck to message. Lower the food costs, get your free buses… a populism message from the left. And it worked.” — Adam Weiss [40:11]
- “The socialists couldn’t give free drinks away. What kind of party is this?” — Adam Weiss [42:39]
- “Madani wins and if it’s four bad years of criminals and mayhem, a Republican [could] swoop in and actually win…” — Adam Weiss [43:28]
- “So much bad policy, and yet people don’t understand how it all ties back to those politicians.” — David Zier, paraphrase
5. Climate Change: A Tipping Point in the Narrative?
Guest: Greg Wrightstone (CO2 Coalition)
Key Segment: [53:16–64:22]
Main Topics
- Bill Gates’ Policy Shift: Wrightstone highlights Gates’ new focus on poverty reduction and healthcare over climate spending—a departure from massive climate funding.
- Skepticism in the Scientific Community: References other “defectors” like the Breakthrough Institute and changes in New York’s own policy under Gov. Hochul.
- CO2 & Warming: Arguments that warming is historically beneficial, coral reefs are thriving (not dying), and extreme weather trends are not worsening.
- Censorship and the “Dam Breaking”: Wrightstone claims that climate skeptics have been suppressed but are finally reaching broader audiences—e.g., via the Joe Rogan podcast.
- Future Outlook: Wrightstone remains optimistic that “the truth will win out," touts his book and the CO2 Coalition's mission to inform.
Notable Quotes
- “I think it’s more important that we focus on improving people’s lives, moving people out of poverty… than to spend trillions of dollars...to keep the Earth from warming another tenth or so degree.” — Greg Wrightstone, paraphrasing Bill Gates [54:13]
- “We’re in a warming trend, no doubt for sure. It’s been warming for more than 300 years...long before we started adding CO2.” — Greg Wrightstone [55:40]
- “Facts are facts. You can’t have your set of facts and then somebody else has their set of facts. Is warming good? Yes.” — Greg Wrightstone [62:00]
6. Closing Reflections
Host’s Final Thoughts:
Zier closes by expressing optimism that with lowering interest rates and potential economic improvements, the political momentum of the Democratic Socialists may subside, offering hope for a more stable and opportunity-rich America.
“I think that the Democratic socialists of America are definitely on the rise, but the Trump economy is going to kick in pretty soon… I think things are going to get better in this country and things are going to start to drop in price. More people have opportunity.” — David Zier [64:22]
Important Segment Timestamps
- Thomas E. Caldwell interview (Jan 6th): 05:09–13:52
- Youth interviews + socialist support: 20:14–24:38
- Stefano Forte (NY Young Republicans): 24:38–31:46
- Adam Weiss (Election analysis): 36:45–46:45
- Greg Wrightstone (Climate change): 53:16–64:22
Summary at a Glance
- The episode weaves together themes of government overreach (January 6th prosecutions), generational/ideological divides over economic opportunity (youth socialism), political consequences in New York City, and growing dissent from the climate change status quo.
- Notable guests provide firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and impassioned argument—challenging prevailing media and political narratives.
- The overall tone is urgent but optimistic, with a call to remain engaged and hopeful in the face of political and cultural upheaval.