Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2302: “Mamdani’s Last Stand?!”

Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Ben Shapiro gives a comprehensive, hard-hitting conservative analysis of current political and cultural events, focusing primarily on the final New York City mayoral debate. Central topics include the controversial candidacy of Zoran Mamdani, the dynamics and fallout of the mayoral debate with Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, the influence of TikTok on elections, controversies surrounding candidates in Maine, updates on the government shutdown, and a look at the White House renovation under President Trump. The episode features notable exchanges with guest interviews, sharp critiques, and Shapiro’s signature blend of policy breakdown, cultural commentary, and biting wit.

1. The New York City Mayoral Debate: Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa

[00:28 - 29:35]

Key Discussion Points

• Debate Participants:

  • Zoran Mamdani: Described by Shapiro as a “pro-Islamist, pro-jihadist Marxist frontrunner.”
  • Andrew Cuomo: Former governor attempting a political comeback.
  • Curtis Sliwa: Longtime right-wing radio host and Republican candidate.

• Polling Breakdown:

  • Mamdani leads overall and dominates among foreign-born voters (62%), trailing among native-born New Yorkers.
  • Sliwa’s continued presence in the race is splitting the anti-Mamdani vote, harming Cuomo’s chances.
  • Shapiro argues consolidation is essential: “Curtis needs to drop out to give Cuomo a shot.” [10:47]

• TikTok’s Influence Allegations:

  • Reports suggest TikTok manipulates the mayoral race in Mamdani’s favor, amplifying his content and suppressing Cuomo’s [03:40].
  • “The amount of online manipulation that is now just a part of our daily culture is astonishing, truly astonishing.” – Ben Shapiro [04:02]

• Debate Performance Recap:

  • Curtis Sliwa: Most charismatic debater, but unelectable city-wide as a Republican.
    • “If Sliwa were not a Republican, he might have a shot at the mayoralty… He is a Republican, so he doesn’t.” – Ben Shapiro [12:18]
  • Andrew Cuomo: More energetic than previous debates, but still underwhelming.
    • “New York is the greatest city on the globe, but we are at a pivotal moment…” – Andrew Cuomo [08:46]
    • “He seems to believe that the mayoralty should simply fall in his lap.” – Shapiro [10:32]
  • Zoran Mamdani: Focuses repeatedly on “affordability and the future,” offering sweeping promises critics say lack substance.
    • “I am the sole candidate running with a vision for the future…” – Zoran Mamdani [15:14]
    • Shapiro’s take: “He is just… promising things he can’t fulfill.” [13:25]

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Curtis Sliwa confronted on not dropping out:
  • “I have armed security guards now protecting my life and Nancy's life. I've been bribed by the billionaires to drop out of here… My life is on the line here, Sid.” – Curtis Sliwa [06:23]
  • Shapiro’s response: “That is not an excuse for why you’re staying in the race… that is the nature of the beast right now.” [07:24]
• Cuomo’s sharp attack on Mamdani’s record:
  • “You have never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything… You had the worst attendance record in the assembly and you gave yourselves the highest raise in the United States of America.” – Andrew Cuomo [16:17]
• Debate over antisemitism and coalition-building:
  • “You know, not everything is a TikTok video. You’re the savior of the Jewish people. You won’t denounce, globalize the intifada, which means kill Jews…” – Andrew Cuomo [17:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [08:46]: Cuomo’s opening statement
• [12:18]: Sliwa’s opening statement and Shapiro’s commentary
• [15:14]: Mamdani’s opening statement
• [16:17]: Cuomo attacks Mamdani’s qualifications
• [17:47]: Cuomo confronts Mamdani on antisemitic associations
• [19:35]: Cuomo questions Mamdani’s LGBTQ record vs. his other alliances

2. Candidate Policy Critiques & Promises

[21:00 - 27:00]

Policy Disputes

• Mamdani’s Economic Agenda:

  • Proposes raising taxes on millionaires and corporations, city-owned grocery stores, $30 minimum wage, and expensive social programs—all policies Shapiro ridicules as unimplementable.
  • “Mamdani is making promises he has no intention of keeping. This is a junior high school presidential campaign in which he promises free cookies and milk, endless candy, and no homework.” – Ben Shapiro [23:18]

• Cuomo Debunking Mamdani’s Rent Freeze:

  • “I’m going to freeze the rent? People think it applies to all of them? No, just the 25% of the units that are rent stabilized… it’s all BS because the mayor doesn’t have the power to do it anyway.” – Andrew Cuomo [22:56]

• Mamdani Evading Policy Details:

  • Dodges questions on three ballot amendments:
    • “I have not yet taken a position on those ballot amendments.” – Zoran Mamdani [25:20]
    • “What a shocker.” – Andrew Cuomo [25:24]

• Proposal for Dispatcher-Based Police Response:

  • Mamdani proposes dispatchers triage calls to determine if police are necessary or if mental health professionals should be sent [26:18].
  • Shapiro criticizes this: “I’m not super comfortable with people with a high school GED… deciding whether a cop shows up with a gun or a social worker shows up with a pencil and a clipboard.” [27:06]

3. Personal Attacks, Allegations, and Deflections

[29:27 - 31:35]

• Sexual Harassment Allegations against Cuomo:
  • “What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed?” – Zoran Mamdani [29:27]
  • “There were allegations… they went to five district attorneys, fully litigated for four years. The cases were dropped… So everything you just stated… was a misstatement.” – Andrew Cuomo [31:04]
  • Shapiro: “A horrible answer… Cuomo still hasn’t come up with a great answer on this.” [31:35]

4. Maine Senate Candidate Tattoo Controversy

[35:43 - 36:57]

Incident Summary

• Graham Platner:
  • Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, supported by Bernie Sanders, caught with a Nazi SS death’s head tattoo (coverage and attempted cover-up).
  • Platner claims ignorance about the meaning, later reveals a poor attempted cover-up tattoo.
  • Sanders defends Platner, suggesting forgiveness is needed.
    • “He went into a dark period… what he did was he expressed his darkness on the Internet.” – Bernie Sanders [36:15]
    • Shapiro’s reaction: “Idiocracy is here, folks. Idiocracy is real.” [36:57]

5. Government Shutdown, Obamacare Subsidies, & The Filibuster

[38:45 - 49:41]

Key Discussion Points (Interview: Sen. John Thune)

• Government Shutdown Update:

  • Ongoing standoff; Democrats blocking appropriations; Republicans argue Democrats are “digging in.”
  • “The longer this thing drags on, the worse it gets… they don’t seem prepared to want to come to their senses and actually do the right thing for the American people.” – Sen. Thune [39:03]

• Obamacare Critique:

  • Health care costs have risen since Obamacare; Democrats want more subsidies.
  • “Insurance rates… have gone up about 221%… it’s become a money maker… because there are a lot of people out there that they enroll who don’t even know they have coverage.” – Sen. Thune [40:36]

• Filibuster Debate:

  • Thune argues for legislative filibuster’s preservation:
    • “It’s… designed to protect the voice of the minority in this country. It’s prevented a lot of bad things from happening.” [42:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [39:03]: Shutdown discussion
• [40:36]: Obamacare criticism
• [42:47]: Filibuster and legislative strategy

6. Foreign Policy & Trump’s Middle East Actions

[46:06 - 47:58]

• Trump Administration’s Actions:
  • Praised for Abraham Accords and unity efforts in the Middle East.
  • “It’s remarkable what the president has accomplished here… it builds on the success of the Abraham Accords.” – Sen. Thune [46:36]
  • Continued security concerns regarding Hamas and the Gaza Strip.

7. EPA, Regulatory Reform, & the Trump White House Renovation

[49:51 - 68:54]

EPA & Deregulation (Interview: Lee Zeldin)

• Focus on minimizing shutdown pain, running agency on carryover funds, and significant staff furloughs.
• Massive deregulation cited, including rescinding Obama-era endangerment finding.
• “We choose to both protect the environment and grow the economy. It’s not a binary choice.” – Lee Zeldin [54:40]
• EPA set to follow the “plain language of the law” post-Chevron doctrine [55:22].

White House Ballroom Controversy (Interview: Mary Margaret Olahan)

• Renovation funded by Trump and donors; Democrats raise objections.
• “The president is… saying this is a gift to the American people.” – Mary Margaret O’Hanlon [61:54]
• Ballroom will have modern security features; designed by renowned architect James McCreary [64:38].
• Critics’ outcry seen as political noise.
• Shapiro: “Democrats are so starved for a winning issue at this point… it really is amazing.” [61:21]

8. 'No Kings' Protests & Biden Criticism

[66:11 - 68:54]

• Protests attract far-left and occasionally violent elements.
• Reports of “explicit calls for violence,” particularly against Stephen Miller [66:25].
• FBI monitoring threats but unwilling to confirm investigations.

9. Noteworthy Quotes

• “The amount of online manipulation... is astonishing, truly astonishing.” – Ben Shapiro [04:02]
• “You have never had a job. You've never accomplished anything.” – Andrew Cuomo [16:17]
• “Curtis needs to drop out to give Cuomo a shot.” – Ben Shapiro [10:47]
• “If New Yorkers buy this, well, they're going to get to take the ride after they buy the ticket.” – Ben Shapiro [23:18]
• “Idiocracy is here, folks. Idiocracy is real.” – Ben Shapiro [36:57]

10. Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

This episode is quintessential “Ben Shapiro Show”: rapid-fire, direct, at times caustic, and deeply skeptical of progressive politics and candidates. The debates and controversies are dissected with an eye for both policy flaws and political drama. Shapiro’s skepticism and humor are consistent, deploying sarcasm and invective but always returning to the mechanics and consequences of policy and power.

For listeners seeking sharp conservative analysis of key current events—with special focus on the drama and implications of the New York mayoral race, media manipulation claims, the state of the Democratic opposition, and the trajectory of Trump-era government—the episode delivers an unfiltered take on the news of the day.