Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club

Episode Title: DONKEY: CNN’s Van Jones Calls Zohran Mamdani's Victory Speech ‘Divisive’
Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious
Guest: Mehdi Hassan
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode’s central focus is the reaction to Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech after he was elected mayor of New York City and, in particular, CNN commentator Van Jones labeling the speech as "divisive." Charlamagne Tha God, along with guest Mehdi Hassan, push back strongly against Jones’ criticism, arguing that Mamdani’s speech was unapologetically inclusive and addressed important issues such as systemic injustice, class, and the legacy of Donald Trump. The show breaks down the key moments in Mamdani’s speech, explores Van Jones’ controversial analysis, and asks why progressive voices are frequently critiqued for their tone, especially in moments of victory.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Election Results and Mamdani’s Win

Timestamp 03:43

• Charlamagne Tha God celebrates Democratic victories across the country, with a highlight on Zoran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral race.
• Context is set for the “Donkey of the Day” segment, targeting Van Jones for his critique of Mamdani’s victory speech.

Charlamagne Tha God [03:43]:
“Donkey of the day for Wednesday, November 5th, goes to CNN's Van Jones. … the mayoral race in New York City was won by Zoran Mamdani. And that's why I have to bring Van Jones to the front of the congregation this morning, because last night, Zoran gave a speech after his win, and Van Jones thought the speech was divisive. I thought the opposite.”

2. Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Speech: Full Inclusion, Bold Promises

Timestamp 04:22

• Mamdani lists the communities he intends to uplift: immigrants, the trans community, Black women, single mothers, Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers.
• Promises to address policing in a just way, tackle mental health and homelessness, and make City Hall inclusive.

Zohran Mamdani [04:22]:
“Safety and justice will go hand in hand as we work with police officers to reduce crime and create a Department of Community Safety that tackles the mental health crisis and homelessness crises head on. … We will build a city hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism, where the more than 1 million Muslims know that they belong, not just in the five boroughs of this city, but in the halls of power.”

• Charlamagne asserts the speech was inclusive, highlighting Mamdani’s outreach “to the working class of all races” and communities often overlooked.

3. Van Jones’ Critique: Tone, Warmth, and “Divisiveness”

Timestamp 05:55

• Van Jones expresses disappointment, saying Mamdani missed an “opportunity” to be more welcoming and inclusive in tone.
• Complains that Mamdani’s speech felt “almost yelling,” lacking the warmth Jones saw on the campaign trail and TikTok.
• Suggests the approach could "cost him going forward."

Van Jones [05:55]:
“I think he missed an opportunity. The Mamdani that we saw in the campaign trail, who was a lot more calm, who was a lot warmer, who was a lot more embracing, was not present … I think he was using the microphone in a way that he was almost yelling. And that's not the Mamdani that we've seen on TikTok … There's a little bit of a character switch here … I think he missed an opportunity to open himself up tonight, and I think that will probably cost him going forward.”

4. Charlamagne’s Response: Celebrating Without Apology

Timestamp 06:59

• Charlamagne reacts with disbelief and frustration, noting that political language has changed post-Trump and victors should be allowed to speak forcefully.
• He challenges the notion that Mamdani’s speech was unwelcoming, emphasizing its content over its delivery.
• Spotlights Mamdani’s willingness to “challenge capitalism,” calling it rare and necessary.

Charlamagne Tha God [06:59]:
“Man, shut the F up forever. Okay? There was no opportunity missed. The man just won. … What do you mean he wasn't warm enough? He took a victory lap, and he deserved to take a victory lap because he won. … The reason a lot of things don't change in this country is because you don't have enough politicians that are willing to challenge capitalism.”

5. Mamdani on Trump, Landlords, and Class Warfare

Timestamp 07:45

• Mamdani calls out bad landlords like Trump, billionaire tax avoidance, and anti-immigrant sentiment.
• He reframes the city as immigrant-built and now immigrant-led.
• Notably, he highlights class solidarity versus the manipulation by oligarchs.

Zohran Mamdani [07:45]: “We will hold bad landlords to account because the Donald Trumps of our city have grown far too comfortable taking advantage of their tenants. We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks. … New York will remain a city of immigrants. … if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”

• Charlamagne and the panel affirm there’s “nothing divisive” in holding powerful wrongdoers accountable and challenging entrenched interests.

6. Mehdi Hassan’s Take: The Real Division

Timestamp 09:51

• Mehdi Hassan reframes the discussion: Van Jones praised Trump’s “unifying” speech in 2017 but calls Mamdani “divisive” for uniting “a multiracial, multicultural, multi income coalition.”
• Points to Van Jones’ proximity to establishment and Trump’s inner circle (“Jared Kushner’s pal”).

Mehdi Hassan [09:51]:
“I would remind people that Van Jones in 2017 is the guy who gave us the most famous line of the first Trump administration ... Van Jones thinks that Donald Trump gives unifying speeches … but thinks Zoran Mamdani, who's United, a multiracial, multicultural, multi income coalition, is divisive. That tells you more about Van Jones than it does tell you about Zoran Mandani.”

7. Show Wrap-Up and Final Words

Timestamp 10:25 – 10:39

• Charlamagne closes the segment by awarding Van Jones “the biggest hee haw,” sealing the verdict of the morning: Mamdani’s speech was not divisive—calling out power is not divisive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne Tha God [06:59]:
  “Man, shut the F up forever. … The language of politics is dead, and Donald Trump killed it. And you know when you can really talk that talk? After you win.”
• Zohran Mamdani [07:45]:
  “New York will remain a city of immigrants. A city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”
• Mehdi Hassan [09:51]:
  “Van Jones thinks that Donald Trump gives unifying speeches … but thinks Zoran Mamdani … is divisive. That tells you more about Van Jones than it does about Zoran Mandani.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:43 – Charlamagne introduces “Donkey of the Day” segment and sets up Van Jones’ critique.
• 04:22 – Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech excerpt (inclusion, justice, community promises).
• 05:55 – Van Jones’ critique (missed opportunity, tone, divisiveness).
• 06:59 – Charlamagne’s pushback and defense of Mamdani.
• 07:45 – Mamdani’s class, Trump, and immigrant rhetoric.
• 09:51 – Mehdi Hassan’s analysis: The contradiction in Van Jones’ view of Trump vs. Mamdani.

Tone and Language

• The episode is fiery, unscripted, and loaded with irreverent humor characteristic of The Breakfast Club.
• Panelists don’t mince words and aren’t afraid to call out public figures by name.
• The language is direct and colloquial, aiming to connect with both politically engaged listeners and a broader urban audience.

For Listeners:

If you missed the episode, you missed a powerful breakdown of what it means for politicians to speak directly about class, justice, and inclusion, and a fierce debate over “divisiveness” versus truth-telling in politics. The Breakfast Club doesn’t hold back—and neither did Zohran Mamdani.