Squawk Pod Podcast Summary – December 15, 2025

Episode Title: NYC Mayor Adams’ Exit Interview & America’s Affordability Crisis
Hosts: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Melissa Lee
Guests: NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Pollster Frank Luntz

Overview

This episode features a wide-ranging discussion centered on two primary topics:

1. NYC Mayor Eric Adams' exit interview: As Adams prepares to leave office, he reflects on his tenure, shares concerns about mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani’s agenda, and discusses the city’s future.
2. America’s affordability crisis: Pollster Frank Luntz unpacks voter sentiment around inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and the political backlash brewing as Americans feel squeezed by the rising costs of food, fuel, and healthcare.

The episode is rich with candid insights, direct language, and thoughtful debate, moving from the hard realities of city leadership to the economic anxiety shaping national politics.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Exit Interview

[12:49–30:41]

Transition and Future of NYC:

• Adams underscores a professional, data-driven transition to mayor-elect Mamdani:

  “Election is over. It's time to safeguard a place that we all love and that's New York.” (13:32)

• Adams reveals concerns about Mamdani’s association with the Democratic Socialists of America:

  “If he allows the agenda of the Democratic socialists of America to be the platform of this city, we're going to be in for some real problems.” (14:23)

Homeless Encampments & Public Safety

• On proposed policy changes regarding homeless encampments:

  "It's more than...a humanitarian issue, but also as a business, you don't want to walk out your business and seeing someone sleeping in a tent. ...it was a humane thing to do to get people indoors." (15:12)

• Adams fears a reversal of policy leading to quality of life degradation:

  "If he follows that [DSA] agenda, we're going to be having some real quality of life issues in our city." (16:25)

Executive Orders & Protecting Legacy:

• Responding to accusations that he's undermining Mamdani, Adams insists:

  "No, not at all. I'm protecting the legacy and protecting New Yorkers...this is what happens in government, the incoming mayor must deal with whatever was put in place by the previous mayor." (16:43)

Rising Antisemitism & City Politics:

• Adams criticizes insufficient condemnation of antisemitic attacks:

  "If the leadership of a country or city is not willing to point out when a particular group...are being harass[ed], harm[ed], threaten[ed]...that is what's troubling antisemitism." (18:32)
  “It has been normalized across the globe in general, but specifically here in New York.” (18:32)

• Urges next mayor to confront radical supporters and continue efforts against hate:

  "He must corral his supporters and send a very clear message...Don't dismantle the IRA definition [of antisemitism]. Don't dismantle my office to combat antisemitism.” (19:43)

Criminal Justice, Economic Concerns & Quality of Life:

• Warns against plans to release inmates, decriminalize prostitution, and implement ethnically-based tax policy:

  “He wants to release 3,000 inmates from Rikers Island...wants to decriminalize prostitution... You can't tax communities based on ethnicities... you can't run millionaires out of the city. 51% of our taxes [come from them]." (22:41)

Election Reflections & Political Strategy:

• On not dropping out early in favor of Cuomo:

  "I was the sitting mayor... If I would have said after the primary that I'm going to abandon right away, that would have been the same foolish thing to do...I made the right decision." (25:56)

• Blames Curtis Sliwa for undercutting the opposition to Mamdani:

  “You need to question and look at [Sliwa’s] whole strategy, and I think history is going to reveal his role.” (27:12)

Advice to the Business Community:

• Encourages business leaders to speak out if policy harms New York:

  “If the mayor is not doing what's best for the city, they need to make sure they use their abilities as leaders... to state where the mayor has gone wrong.” (28:57)

Next Steps for Adams:

• “Smoke a cigar, have fun, enjoy. ... I want to travel again. I want to write a book. I want to get my PhD. ... I'm not going away. I love this city and I'm going to make sure that nothing hurts the working class people of this city.” (30:14–30:41)

America’s Affordability Crisis

Guest: Frank Luntz (Pollster & Political Strategist)
[32:58–42:38]

What "Affordability" Means to Americans:

• Luntz explains why Americans talk about “affordability” and not “inflation”:

  “The average American talks about affordability or cost. Can I afford the food, the fuel, the housing, the health care?” (33:42)

• Alarming stat:

  “Half of Americans now live, and I quote, paycheck to paycheck.” (33:59)
  “One third of Americans could not afford a cost, an unexpected health care cost of $5,000.” (34:28)

Costs vs. Wages:

• Luntz underscores it's not just about wages rising, but about prices:

  “Wages are important, but costs are vital. ... If your wages are up and you still can't afford the house you want, the health care you need...what good is it? So I’d say to you that costs are more important.” (35:32)

Relative Perception & Institutional Distrust:

• On how Americans judge economic health:

  “It's right now compared to the past...they look at it and how it impacts them personally, not their neighbors, not the country. ... So it is relative. But there's no absolute.” (37:08)

• Distrust of both government and private solutions:

  “Democrats keep coming back with a government solution, that's a mistake... Republicans keep coming back to an insurance based solution. And Americans hate insurance companies.” (37:37)

A Political Breaking Point:

• Deep frustration with institutions:

  “The public sees that these problems...are so significant and that neither political party has the answers for them or is willing to do it. ... They’re deciding whether or not they even want to participate in the democratic process. And that’s when you know you’ve reached the breaking point.” (37:53, 40:23)

Messaging for 2026 Elections:

• Luntz’s advice:

  “You don't want rhetoric, you want results, you want solutions. You want common sense and not politics. ... Stop blaming the other party...” (39:54)

• On potential results:

  “Democrats narrowly take the House. ... Democrats have a five point lead right now... that's enough to give them roughly a five seat majority in the House and the Senate. If they botch health care, the Senate could be up for grabs as well.” (40:42)

Ultimate advice to parties:

• “Either party could take advantage of it...but if they don’t, the public is not just decided between Republicans and Democrats. They're deciding whether or not they even want to participate in the democratic process. And that's when you know you've reached the breaking point.” (39:50)

Noteworthy Quotes and Moments

• Eric Adams on continuity and concern:

  “If he allows the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America to be the platform of this city, we're going to be in for some real problems.” (14:23)

• Frank Luntz on the severity of economic insecurity:

  “Half of Americans now live, and I quote, paycheck to paycheck...” (33:59)

• Frank Luntz on voter trust:

  “Democrats keep coming back with a government solution... Republicans keep coming back to an insurance based solution. And Americans hate insurance companies.” (37:37)

• Adams on his next chapter:

  “Smoke a cigar, have fun, enjoy... I'm not going away. I love this city and I'm going to make sure that nothing hurts the working class people of this city.” (30:14–30:41)

• Luntz on 2026 elections:

  “Democrats narrowly take the House... Democrats have a five-point lead right now, and that's enough...” (40:42)

Segment Timestamps

• 12:49 – Adams begins his exit interview
• 14:02 – Reflections on meeting and transitioning with Mayor-elect Mamdani
• 15:12 – Homeless encampments and public safety concerns
• 16:43 – Executive orders and legacy protection
• 18:32 – Discussion of anti-Semitism and communal tensions
• 22:41 – Economic concerns and specific policy worries under the new mayor
• 25:56 – Adams on his election decisions and strategy
• 28:57 – Advice for business community engagement with new administration
• 30:14 – Adams' immediate post-mayoral plans
• 32:58 – Frank Luntz on affordability and American concerns
• 33:59 – Statistics on Americans living paycheck to paycheck
• 35:32 – Distinction between wages and costs
• 37:08 – How Americans perceive economic pressures
• 37:37 – Distrust of government and companies
• 39:06 – Luntz’s advice on political messaging
• 40:42 – 2026 election outlook

Tone and Language

The conversation is candid, direct, and engaged, with Adams passionate and openly concerned, while Luntz is analytical, data-driven, and insistent on message discipline for both politicians and policymakers. Both guests avoid jargon, keep language relatable, and clearly aim to connect with everyday listeners.

This episode is essential listening for citizens keen to understand the crossroads facing New York and the country—providing unfiltered insight into leadership transitions, political strategy, and the economic anxieties shaping voter behavior entering 2026.