The Ben Shapiro Show Ep. 2298 — Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie, OH MY

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Guests/Subjects: Zoran Mamdani (NYC mayoral candidate), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Bernie Sanders, John Fetterman, Eric Trump

Episode Overview

In this fast-paced episode, Ben Shapiro critiques what he sees as the escalating radicalism within the Democratic Party, zeroing in on New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani. Shapiro also targets AOC and Bernie Sanders for pulling the Democratic mainstream far left, discusses internal Democratic conflicts and the party’s struggle with moderation, and interviews Eric Trump about his family's experiences during the Trump presidency and subsequent legal challenges. The episode focuses heavily on the dissonance between progressive leadership and broader American sentiment, with special attention to backlash inside the Democratic Party against figures seen as “too rational” or moderate.

Main Themes and Insights

• Democratic Party Radicalism:
  Shapiro contends that the Democratic Party is increasingly dominated by extremists, elevating figures like Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie Sanders.

• Culture War Politics:
  The episode focuses on issues such as attitudes toward policing, Israel/Gaza conflict, economic policy, and internal Democratic fractures.

• Moderation Sidelined:
  He argues that the party is pushing out moderates like Senator John Fetterman for not adhering strictly to radical orthodoxy.

• Republican Perspective and Strategy:
  Shapiro frames these Democratic developments as advantageous for the GOP, painting their opposition as out of step with most Americans.

• Personal Testimony:
  Extended interview with Eric Trump frames the Trump family’s legal and political battles as symbolic of broader anti-conservative bias and institutional decay.

Breakdown of Key Segments

[00:25–06:00] Introduction & Radicalism on the Left

• Topic: The mainstreaming of radical politics in the Democratic Party.
• Key Points:
  • Zoran Mamdani’s rise is emblematic of leftist extremism being welcomed into mainstream politics.
  • “Is [radicalism] nearly as mainstream as it is on the left? ... On the right, the answer, of course, is no. However, on the left, the answer is very much yes.” (Ben Shapiro, 01:04)
• Insight: Shapiro frames Mamdani as a Marxist and “terror sympathizer” embraced by Democrats.

[06:00–09:00] Zoran Mamdani’s “Walk-backs” and Policing

• Topic: Mamdani’s earlier criticisms of NYPD and subsequent apology.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • [08:45]
    • Martha MacCallum: “Police officers that I spoke to, they don't want a behind closed doors apology. They want a broad public apology... Will you do that right now?”
    • Zoran Mamdani: “Absolutely. I'll apologize to police officers right here...”
• Shapiro’s Take: Skeptical of Mamdani’s sincerity, suggesting apologies are political calculation.

[13:55–14:54] Mamdani on Arresting Netanyahu

• Topic: Mamdani’s statements about arresting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits NYC, invoking the International Criminal Court.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • [14:04]
    • MacCallum: “Do you stand by that? You would arrest him if he came here?”
    • Mamdani: “I've said that this is a city that believes in international law...”
• Shapiro’s Commentary: Assessing Mamdani’s position as “legal and moral absurdity” but appealing to his base.

[17:29–18:47] Mamdani Dodges on Hamas Disarming

• Topic: Mamdani refuses to explicitly call for Hamas to disarm in the Gaza Strip.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • [18:32]
    • MacCallum: “Do you believe that Hamas should lay down their weapons...?”
    • Mamdani: "I believe that any future here in New York City is one that we have to make sure that's affordable for all. And as it pertains to Israel and Palestine, that we have to ensure there is peace..."
    • MacCallum: “But you won't say that Hamas should lay down their arms...”
    • Mamdani: “I don't really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety...”
• Shapiro’s Analysis: Accuses Mamdani of “moral equivalence” and points to refusal to condemn terror groups as support.

[19:40–22:00] Fetterman, the Democrats, and Primary Dynamics

• Topic: Shapiro discusses Mamdani’s mayoral lead, the roles of Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, and the primary landscape.
• Key Point: Suggests every vote not for Cuomo is a vote for Mamdani.
• Quote: “Every vote for Sliwa at this point is a vote for Mamdani...” (20:16)

[23:36–24:00] Economic Policy – Free Busing Proposal

• Segment: Mayoral debate on funding free public transit.
• Notable Quote:
  • [23:38]
    • AOC (moderating): “But the question is how you'll make them free.”
    • Mamdani: “We will fund the revenue... The first is to raise taxes on the top 1%... The second is to raise the state's top corporate tax rate to match New Jersey...”
• Shapiro’s Analysis: Argues proposed taxes would harm NYC’s economy.

[26:01–26:38] Decriminalizing Prostitution

• Topic: Mamdani advocates not prosecuting women for prostitution.
• Notable Exchange:
  • [26:17] AOC: “So no legalization?”
  • [26:25] Mamdani: “I do not think that we should be prosecuting women who are struggling...”

[30:33–31:16] Muslim Representation Debate

• Exchange:
  • Mamdani: “He [Cuomo] had more than 10 years and he couldn't name a single mosque...”
  • Cuomo: “I worked with the Muslim community. Imams presided over state of the states...”
• Shapiro’s Sarcasm: Mocks Mamdani for equating mosque visits with tolerance.

[31:17–34:47] Bernie Crowning AOC

• Topic: CNN town hall with Bernie Sanders and AOC; Bernie positioning AOC as his ideological heir.
• Notable Moments:
  • [34:41]
    • Collins: “Are you saying that Senator Schumer should not be worried...?”
    • Sanders (interrupts): “Let me jump in on this one... the media says, oh, you're going to run—it doesn't matter...”
• Shapiro’s Take: Sees this as a handoff of the “socialist movement” to AOC.

[38:26–41:25] AOC on Israel, Trump, and GOP Men

• Topic: AOC’s takes on Gaza ceasefire, hostages, and Republicans.
• Quotable:
  • [39:23]
    • AOC: “Do you give [Trump] credit though... for getting... those hostages back...? Yes. But we also know that President Trump was an obstacle to peace previously as well.”
  • [40:08] AOC: “They are able to radicalize... a generation of young boys... into an insecure masculinity... appealing to the most basest and worst parts of human nature...”

[41:26–42:59] Bernie Sanders Praises Marjorie Taylor Greene

• Topic: Sanders oddly finds common ground with a far-right Republican.
• Quote:
  • [42:01] Bernie Sanders: “There are some decent, honest Republicans... you have somebody like Marjorie Taylor Greene saying, you know what, I was elected by my constituents...”

[47:10–50:50] John Fetterman – Rational Democrat Under Fire

• Topic: Shapiro frames Fetterman as an endangered species—one of the few rational Democrats, attacked for his moderation.
• Quotable:
  • [47:10] Fetterman: “I refuse to call people Nazis or fascists or... compare anybody to Hitler...”
  • [47:43] Fetterman: “And there are parts of extreme things emerging clearly on those things. And that's why I refuse to follow that, even if that is going to cost me support in parts of the base.”

[52:49–53:41] Democratic Litmus Tests: Transgender Athletes

• Topic: Ben criticizes Democratic insistence on “extreme” positions, such as support for biological males in women’s sports.
• Exchange:
  • [53:12] Shapiro: “You think it's fair that they should then compete in women's sport?”
  • Democratic candidate: “I think they should be able to compete in women's sports, but... there is still some discussion...”

[55:42–56:13] The Government Shutdown

• Topic: Both parties dig in as shutdown drags on; Shapiro argues these battles rarely result in radical change.
• Quote: “I've yet to see a government shutdown fight that has ended in any major serious change...” (Ben Shapiro, 56:23)

[58:42–59:17] More from Fetterman

• Quote:
  • [58:42] Fetterman: “I follow country, then party, and it's the wrong thing for the country. In a period of chaos, I refuse to vote to shut our government down...”

[59:33–69:37] Feature Interview: Eric Trump

• Subject: Family struggles and legal persecution during/following the Trump presidency.
• Highlights:
  • [60:56] Eric Trump: “I never thought I'd have to go through the crusade of being the most subpoenaed person in American history...”
  • [63:44] Eric Trump: “We spent about $400 million just defending ourselves from every single sham...”
  • [66:37] Eric Trump: “They wanted to remove the conservative voice out of our society...”
  • [67:11] Ben Shapiro: “...is it even possible to restore credibility to these institutions?...”
• Themes: The sense of siege, distrust in institutions, and the idea that the Trump family represents the frontline of a wider battle.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro: "On the left, [radicalism] is very much mainstream. And herein lies the problem for the Democratic Party." [01:12]
• Zoran Mamdani: “Absolutely. I'll apologize to police officers right here...” [08:55]
• Ben Shapiro (on Mamdani's apology): “No one in the NYPD believes Zoramdani. No one.” [09:11]
• Martha MacCallum (to Mamdani): “Do you stand by that? You would arrest [Netanyahu] if he came here...?” [14:04]
• Zoran Mamdani: "I've said that this is a city that believes in international law..." [14:04]
• Elise Stefanik (on Mamdani): “I call Zoran Mamdani a jihadist because he is.” [19:00]
• Bernie Sanders: “Let me tell you what the real issue is... Let's talk about that issue. Not her political future. She'll decide that.” [35:13]
• John Fetterman: “I refuse to call people Nazis or fascists...” [47:10]
• Eric Trump: “We spent about $400 million just defending ourselves from every single sham...” [63:44]

Timestamps – Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Speaker(s) | Content | |------------|-----------------------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:25–06:00| Introduction & radicalism on the left | Ben Shapiro | Framing the episode; Mamdani as emblem of Dem radicalism | | 08:03–09:11| Policing, NYPD accusations & apologies | Mamdani, MacCallum | Mamdani apologizes for prior anti-police remarks | | 13:55–14:54| Netanyahu arrest comments | Mamdani, MacCallum | Mamdani affirms intent to arrest Netanyahu | | 17:29–18:47| Hamas disarmament dodge | Mamdani, MacCallum | Mamdani won’t call for Hamas to disarm | | 23:36–24:00| NYC free buses debate | Mamdani, AOC | Transit/ tax policy exchange | | 26:01–26:38| Decriminalization of prostitution | Mamdani, AOC | Mamdani on law enforcement & sex work | | 30:33–31:16| Mamdani–Cuomo mosque visit exchange | Mamdani, Cuomo | Accusations of intolerance; identity politics in NYC | | 34:39–35:50| Bernie Sanders defends AOC (CNN town hall) | Sanders, AOC | Political futures and distraction from ‘real issues’ | | 38:26–39:39| AOC on Trump, hostages, and GOP men | AOC, Shapiro | AOC critiques Trump; claims of GOP online “radicalization of boys” | | 47:10–48:29| Fetterman’s moderation attacked by Democrats | Fetterman | Fetterman explains Democratic Party’s leftward lurch | | 53:12–53:41| Trans athletes debate in Dem Party | Shapiro, Dem candidate | Dems’ litmus test on transgender inclusion in sports | | 59:33–69:37| Interview with Eric Trump | Eric Trump, Shapiro | Trump family’s legal persecution; distrust of US institutions |

Episode Takeaways

• Shapiro’s Warning to Democrats:
  By letting radical voices dominate, the Democratic Party is alienating moderates and risking electoral defeat.
• Contrast with the GOP:
  Shapiro paints Republicans as relatively moderate, by comparison, positioning Fetterman as a rare rational Democrat.
• Personalized Politics:
  The segment with Eric Trump serves to personalize the cost of political conflict, framing attacks on the Trumps as attacks on American values.
• Recurring Critique:
  Shapiro returns to the fundamental theme that left-wing extremism—be it in city policy, economic affairs, foreign policy, or cultural debates—will ultimately backfire on the Democratic Party.

Final Thoughts

For listeners seeking a conservative breakdown of current political dynamics, this episode is rich with direct critiques of Democratic leaders, robust defense of GOP strategies, and a no-holds-barred rhetorical style. Shapiro mixes national-level analysis with local (NYC) politics and punctuates the broadcast with memorable jabs, extended policy argument, and an inside look at the Trump family’s life under fire.