Podcast Title: The Ben Shapiro Show
Host: The Daily Wire
Episode: Ep. 2225 - COMMUNIST WINS NYC! Mamdani STUNS Cuomo In Mayoral Primary
Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 2225 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro delves into the surprising outcome of the New York City mayoral primary, where Zoran Mamdani, a candidate labeled as a communist, unexpectedly defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Shapiro analyzes the implications of this result for the Democratic Party both locally and nationally, critiques the current media landscape, and discusses recent developments in U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning Iran and Israel.

NYC Mayoral Primary Upset

Defeat of Andrew Cuomo by Zoran Mamdani

Ben Shapiro begins by highlighting the unexpected victory of Zoran Mamdani in the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race. According to The New York Times and betting site Poly Market, Mamdani emerged as a frontrunner by defeating the disgraced former governor, Andrew Cuomo, in a commanding fashion.

Notable Quote:

Andrew Cuomo [Timestamp: 05:30]: "I'm very proud of the campaign that we ran and the effort that we put forth... Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani's night."

Shapiro emphasizes the significance of Cuomo conceding immediately in a ranked-choice primary, a process that typically takes weeks to conclude.

Demographic Breakdown of the Vote

Shapiro points out that Mamdani's support primarily came from the "whitest areas of New York City," contrasting with Cuomo's support from more diverse and economically pressured regions. He attributes Mamdani's success to his progressive platform, which includes proposals like free bus service, childcare, and publicly owned grocery stores.

Notable Quote:

"Mamdani is somebody who believes in the full scale nationalization, the government running of the means of production. When we say he's a communist, he's an actual honest to God communist."

Shapiro criticizes Mamdani’s policies as unrealistic and argues that they resonate mostly with upper-class, college-educated white voters, whom he claims prioritize luxury beliefs over practical solutions.

Implications for the Democratic Party

Shift Towards the Left

Shapiro argues that Mamdani's victory is indicative of a broader shift within the Democratic Party towards more radical, leftist ideologies. He suggests that this trend is driven by younger voters and a departure from traditional Democratic values.

Notable Quote:

"The Democratic Party is quite likely to swing to the left... They are constantly looking at the radicals in their own party and saying, well, are they that radical or are they just idealistic?"

Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)

Shapiro foresees Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez becoming a prominent figure and potentially the Democratic nominee for president in 2028. He warns that the elevation of such radical members could lead to further ideological extremism within the party.

Notable Quote:

"I woke you by the fact and aoc as the Democratic nominee come 2028 and then when she has a serious shot at becoming president."

National Democratic Fallout

He discusses how national figures like AOC are congratulating Mamdani, signaling a national endorsement of the party's new direction. Shapiro contends that this realignment may alienate traditional Democratic voters and lead to greater political polarization.

Notable Quote:

"Mamdani is the type of person who has said he wishes to actually propose something like $65 million for transing the children in New York City. That's who Zoran Mandani is."

Foreign Policy: Trump’s Actions in Iran and Israel

Ceasefire Between Iran and Israel

Shapiro shifts focus to President Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly the ceasefire he brokered between Iran and Israel. He defends Trump's actions against media criticisms, asserting that the ceasefire is holding despite Iranian drone attacks.

Notable Quote:

"President Trump said, 'Both Israel and Iran wanted to stop the war equally. It was my great honor to destroy all nuclear facilities and capability and then stop the war.'"

Media Critique and Intelligence Leaks

Shapiro criticizes mainstream media outlets for undermining Trump's achievements by leaking low-confidence intelligence assessments that downplay the impact of the strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

Notable Quote:

"Anyone in the media who tells you there's a giant split in the Republican Party over this is lying to you."

He argues that these leaks are politically motivated attempts to discredit Trump's foreign policy success.

Support from NATO and European Allies

The host highlights Trump’s ongoing efforts to compel NATO allies to increase their defense spending, praising NATO Secretary-General Mark Rudy for supporting Trump's stance.

Notable Quote:

"Mark Rudy of NATO: 'Mr. President, congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran. It makes us all safer.'"

Shapiro views these international endorsements as validation of Trump's approach to foreign policy and fiscal responsibility within alliances.

Media Analysis and Critique

Allegations of Media Bias

Shapiro asserts that mainstream media is persistently biased against conservative policies and figures, often misrepresenting facts to fit their narratives. He uses examples from his discussion on the Iran-Iraq ceasefire to illustrate perceived inaccuracies and manipulations in media reporting.

Notable Quote:

"The media lie about everything. And the leaks to the media with regards to the Iranian nuclear program, those do not seem quite honest."

Influence of Social Media Algorithms

He criticizes platforms like X (formerly Twitter) for promoting emotionally charged and misleading content, exacerbating political polarization and misinformation.

Notable Quote:

"The X algorithm promotes anything that is likely to generate high levels of emotion and or bot traffic."

Conclusion

Ben Shapiro concludes the episode by reiterating his concerns over the Democratic Party's radical shift, the potential national implications of Mamdani's victory in NYC, and the enduring success of Trump's foreign policy despite media opposition. He warns of increasing political division and urges listeners to remain vigilant against what he perceives as ideological extremism within American politics.

Closing Quote:

"You do not have my sympathy. You do not. The people have my sympathy in New York City are the people who are actually just good tax paying citizens who want to go about their daily business and raise their families the lines of our society."

Note: This summary omits advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions presented by Ben Shapiro in this episode.