The Brett Cooper Show

Episode 92: "50-Year Mortgages Aren’t the American Dream"

Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brett Cooper tackles the increasingly fraught topic of housing affordability in America, zeroing in on the Trump administration's recent proposals—particularly the idea of 50-year mortgages and fresh stimulus checks. She dissects generational disillusionment with both conservative and progressive leadership, detailing why policies aimed at providing immediate relief may be sowing seeds for long-term problems. Through her signature blend of personal anecdotes, sharp analysis, and audience commentary, Brett argues that quick fixes mask deeper economic woes—and that young Americans are desperate for genuine, sustainable solutions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Generational Divide and Political Shifts

• Zoran Mamdani’s Win in NYC:
  • Brett explains her lack of surprise at Mamdani's victory, attributing it not to radical ideology, but to his focus on real affordability issues and his authenticity.
    • "He won because he promised affordability. He won because he genuinely seemed like he was enjoying the campaign trail. Like he was everywhere. He was on social media, he was going viral… He spoke to New Yorkers like a New Yorker from his small apartment in Queens." (01:11)
  • In contrast, she criticizes Andrew Cuomo for lacking relatability and connection to everyday New Yorkers.
• The Echo of Trump’s 2016/2024 Victories:
  • Similar forces—deep economic frustration and a sense of being ignored—propelled both Mamdani and Trump. Brett suggests both left and right are out of touch with young voters’ real economic anxieties.

2. Young Generations Losing Faith in Conservative Leadership

• Disconnection from Gen Z:
  • Brett, speaking as a Gen Zer, insists, "The Trump administration and Conservative Inc. are losing the younger generations. And nothing that the Trump administration has done in the past week is helping." (00:49)
• Short-term Relief vs. Long-term Solutions:
  • She argues that “immediate affordability” efforts—like stimulus checks or extended mortgages—fail to address root problems and may actually harm future generations.
    • "Immediate relief, immediate affordability is not the same thing as long term solutions. That immediate relief… might just screw over my generation in the long term." (00:57)

3. Housing Crisis: The Core of Millennial and Gen Z Frustration

• 50-Year Mortgages Proposal:
  • Brett balks at Trump's floated idea of 50-year mortgages, pointing out how much more buyers would pay in interest and how little equity they’d build.
    • "If you bought a $500,000 house in 2025 with the current interest rates, at the end of those 50 years you would have spent $1.5 million on that house. And the majority of the time that you would be making those monthly payments, you would be paying the interest rate." (08:09)
  • She frames this as beneficial only to "big banks" and likens it to the dystopian concept of "own nothing and be happy."
    • "That is basically the Trump version of the World Economic Forum idea that we will own nothing and be happy. You’ll never own your home outright." (09:11)
• Reality of Homeownership:
  • She cites statistics: the median age for first-time homeowners is now 40, and for repeat buyers, 61. Google searches for “second job” are spiking.
    • "The dream of owning a home and starting a family feels out of reach for my generation." (12:19)

4. Economic Gaslighting from Both Sides

• Denial of the Affordability Crisis:
  • Brett mocks statements by Trump officials minimizing cost-of-living issues, directly comparing it to Biden’s previous denials about inflation.
    • "Stop gaslighting us… How is this any better than Biden trying to redefine recession…?" (10:48)
• Citing Real Price Increases:
  • She lists recent price hikes:
    • Coffee: up 20%
    • Utilities: up 11.7%
    • Electricity: up 5.1%
    • Vehicle repair: up 11.5%
      (12:03)
  • "Americans are still struggling… Young people… do not care about owning the libs, we care about owning homes." (13:03)

5. Frustration with the Culture War and Political Distractions

• Young People’s Priorities:
  • Pointing to culture war distractions and ongoing campus unrest, Brett says most young people are disengaged:
    • "At this rate, the 'culture war' is not even appealing. People my age do not care about owning the libs, we care about owning homes." (13:06)
• Examples of Everyday Struggle:
  • She shares a text from her sister-in-law about the cost of going out, underscoring how even modest lifestyles feel untenable.
    • "If I'm 36 and I can't afford to go to the movies, just kill me." (13:46)

6. Critique of Both Political Parties and Demand for Authentic Solutions

• Disillusionment with Establishments:
  • Brett summarizes the mood among young adults:
    • "Normal everyday Americans… feel chewed up and spit out by our political elites. On both sides." (14:16)
  • She reads listener comments from conservatives, echoing her own mixed feelings about Trump's direction and the urgent need for policy honesty.
    • "15 year car loans, 50 year mortgages, $2,000 stimulus checks. Hardly the stuff of a golden age, unless you own banks that finance this stuff." (16:08, from "drunk Republican" on X)
• Accountability in the Conservative Movement:
  • Brett lauds conservative willingness to criticize Trump and push back on bad ideas, hoping it serves as a positive contrast to perceived left-wing groupthink.
    • "It is our job to openly put the pressure on when we don't feel the country is headed in the right direction… If we refuse to do so, we are no better than the entire left…” (17:45, quoting Savannah Hernandez)

7. Lessons from the Left and Populist Politics

• Learning from Mamdani’s Win:
  • Brett highlights how Mamdani’s focus on local issues and concrete affordability resonates—just as Trump’s “America First” did in 2015.
    • "He won because he talked about affordability, he talked about free things, and he focused on New York City, which is where his focus should be." (18:37)
• Echoing Tucker Carlson’s Warning:
  • Brett plays a clip from Tucker Carlson underscoring how when young, capable adults can't afford basics, it’s no wonder they’re open to socialism.
    • Tucker Carlson: "If you wake up one morning and you find yourself in a society where 23 year olds… can’t make enough to buy a car, much less a home… why should you be surprised when half of them say they prefer socialism?" (19:55)

8. Final Message: The Need for Real Solutions

• Brett’s parting challenge:
  • "We do not need to educate young people on the dangers of socialism. They don’t care… They want to feel like the American dream is still alive and 50 year mortgages are not the American dream no matter which way you cut it." (20:36)
  • She urges Republican leaders—Congress, Trump, the GOP at large—to present real, sustainable ideas to enable young Americans to thrive, not just survive.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:11 | Brett | "He [Mamdani] won because he promised affordability... He was everywhere. He was on social media, he was going viral… He spoke to New Yorkers like a New Yorker from his small apartment in Queens." | | 00:49 | Brett | "The Trump administration and Conservative Inc. are losing the younger generations. And nothing that the Trump administration has done in the past week is helping." | | 08:09 | Brett | "If you bought a $500,000 house in 2025... at the end of those 50 years you would have spent $1.5 million on that house. And the majority of the time... you would be paying the interest rate."| | 09:11 | Brett | "That is basically the Trump version of the World Economic Forum idea that we will own nothing and be happy. You’ll never own your home outright." | | 13:03 | Brett | "At this rate, the 'culture war' is not even appealing. People my age do not care about owning the libs, we care about owning homes." | | 16:08 | Drunk Republican (read by Brett) | "15 year car loans, 50 year mortgages, $2,000 stimulus checks. Hardly the stuff of a golden age, unless you own banks that finance this stuff." | | 17:45 | Savannah Hernandez (read by Brett) | "It is our job to openly put the pressure on when we don't feel the country is headed in the right direction… If we refuse to do so, we are no better than the entire left…” | | 19:55 | Tucker Carlson | "If... 23 year olds... can’t make enough to buy a car, much less a home... why should you be surprised when half of them say they prefer socialism?" | | 20:36 | Brett | "They want to feel like the American dream is still alive and 50 year mortgages are not the American dream no matter which way you cut it." |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:28 – 03:30: Frustration with current political responses to affordability, dissection of Mamdani’s NYC win.
• 03:30 – 04:50: Comparison of Trump and Mamdani; generational challenges and unmet expectations.
• 06:35 – 10:16: Deep dive into stimulus checks and 50-year mortgage proposal; analysis of their consequences.
• 10:25 – 12:19: Clips of Trump administration responses; Brett challenges both parties’ messaging.
• 12:19 – 15:30: Real-life affordability crisis stats, generational outlook, and everyday struggles.
• 15:30 – 17:45: Social media and listener commentary on political division and accountability.
• 18:37 – 19:55: Lessons from Zoran Mamdani’s campaign and the importance of local affordability.
• 19:55 – 20:36: Tucker Carlson’s warning and Brett’s call to action for real solutions.

Conclusion

Brett Cooper delivers a passionate, incisive critique of both conservative and liberal attempts at patching economic woes without tackling underlying dysfunction. Through data, humor, and audience voices, she paints a vivid picture of a generational crossroads: Will politics offer young Americans a real shot at the American dream, or just debt in different packaging? Her answer is clear—50-year mortgages are not the answer, and young Americans are demanding something more genuine, sustainable, and fair.