Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: Normally Podcast: Red City Rising: Is NYC Ready for Mayor Mamdani?
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host/Authors: Mary Catherine Ham & Carol Markowitz
Publisher: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to the NYC Mayoral Race

In this episode of Normally, Mary Catherine Ham and Carol Markowitz delve into the recent developments in New York City's mayoral race, focusing on the Democratic primary that has significant implications for the city's future. The primary featured candidates with starkly contrasting visions, ultimately leading to a surprising outcome.

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [02:46]: "New York City had a Democratic primary and, I would say a communist one. He's calling himself a democratic socialist."

Election Results and Voting Process

The primary concluded with Zoran Mamdani securing a commanding lead over Andrew Cuomo. The election utilized New York's new ranked-choice voting system, which has contributed to the complexity and delayed final results until July 1st.

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [03:36]: "As of 10pm last night, 93% of the vote in Mamdani led Cuomo 44 to 36 in the first of this new process."

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [04:21]: "Cuomo saw the writing on the wall and conceded in the Democratic primary last night."

Implications of Mamdani's Victory

Mary and Carol express deep concerns about Mamdani's policies, which they perceive as more authoritarian and socialist, potentially harming New York City. They critique his platform, particularly his stance on education and rent control, suggesting that his leadership could lead to increased segregation and diminished quality of public services.

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [05:25]: "And I think if Mamdani becomes actual mayor, it's really bad for the city."

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [05:25]: "He wants to get rid of gifted education in elementary and middle schools in New York."

Immigration and National Security Concerns

Shifting focus to national issues, the hosts discuss recent ICE arrests of Iranian nationals with ties to Hezbollah and the implications for U.S. national security. They critique the previous administration's immigration policies, attributing increased vulnerabilities to the Biden administration's "fraudulent parole programs."

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [19:08]: "ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals illegally in the US including an individual with admitted ties to Hezbollah and a former Iranian army sniper."

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [20:02]: "They could have sleeper cells. What happened over the last four years that allowed people to flow over the border in millions unvetted..."

Supreme Court Decision on Deportation Policies

The hosts analyze a recent Supreme Court ruling that pauses the administration's efforts to deport immigrants to third-party countries. They express frustration over lower court judges ignoring the Supreme Court's directives, highlighting a growing disregard for judicial norms.

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [24:06]: "Ilya says the legal term for that is bonkers."

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [25:05]: "You can't. The dissent is not the ruling. The ruling is the ruling."

Societal Discussion: Modern Love Column on Men

Mary and Carol critique a recent "Modern Love" column from The New York Times, which laments the absence of men in the writer's dating life. They argue that societal narratives have marginalized men, making it emotionally unsafe for them to engage beyond select relationships, thereby contributing to their withdrawal from broader social interactions.

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [30:09]: "The Modern Love column is actually my guilty pleasure. I don't watch any TV, but when I want to feel bad about the world, modern Love is what I go to."

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [31:06]: "Men are told that they are bad and wrong and all the things they do and feel are bad and wrong. So why would they be engaged except with people who are receptive?"

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Mary and Carol reiterate their concerns about the direction in which New York City is headed under Mamdani's potential leadership and emphasize the broader national implications of current immigration and societal policies. They advocate for a return to more balanced and inclusive approaches in both governance and social norms.

Notable Quote:
Carol Markowitz [34:26]: "Let the men be men again."

Notable Quote:
Mary Catherine Ham [34:30]: "Come back men. Yeah, they'll come to Florida, please."

Key Takeaways

• NYC Mayoral Primary: Zoran Mamdani's victory over Andrew Cuomo raises concerns about the city's future under a potentially authoritarian leadership.
• Ranked-Choice Voting: New York's complex voting system delays final election results, highlighting challenges in electoral processes.
• Immigration and Security: Recent ICE arrests underline ongoing national security threats, exacerbated by prior administration policies.
• Judicial Norms: Lower court's disregard for Supreme Court rulings on deportation policies signals a troubling trend in judicial adherence.
• Societal Shifts: The marginalization of men in societal narratives contributes to their disengagement from broader social interactions.

Final Thoughts

Mary Catherine Ham and Carol Markowitz provide a critical analysis of current political and social issues affecting New York City and the nation. Their discussions underscore the importance of informed and balanced leadership, robust immigration policies, and societal inclusivity to foster a healthier, more secure community.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and viewpoints expressed by the hosts during the episode. It is intended for informational purposes and may not capture every detail of the original conversation.