Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: #BecauseMiami: MAGA Tov

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
Main Guests: Emilio Gonzalez (Miami mayoral candidate), Christian Ulvert (representing Eileen Higgins)

Overview

Recorded in the lead-up to Miami's much-discussed mayoral runoff, this episode is a classic "#BecauseMiami" deep dive into South Florida politics, corruption, governance, and the unique culture of Miami civic life. At the heart of the conversation is the mayoral runoff between Emilio Gonzalez (recently endorsed by Donald Trump) and Eileen Higgins. The hosts, joined by Gonzalez and Ulvert, dissect endorsements, campaign narratives, city governance issues, and the perennial struggle between reform and the status quo in Miami politics. The episode also touches on the legacy of outgoing mayor Francis Suarez and the backdrop of numerous Miami political scandals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scandal, Legacy, and Accountability in Local Politics

• Monique Pardo Pope Bar Complaint ([02:38]–[07:04])
  • Billy opens with a report on a bar complaint against Monique Pardo Pope, a Miami Beach commission candidate with a notorious family history and a pattern of public lies.
  • Explores Miami’s tolerance for candidates with checkered pasts, and the implications of transparency and accountability.
  • Quote: "Her father was a serial killer, but Monique Pardo Pope may be a serial liar, and she is now just one ballot away from being a Miami Beach City commissioner." – Billy [06:46]

2. Endorsements: Trump, Identity Politics, and the Mayoral Race

• Trump Endorses Gonzalez ([07:04]–[11:43])

  • Billy and Emilio discuss Trump's endorsement, how it has shifted the narrative, and whether the race is a referendum on Trump.
  • Gonzalez positions himself as pragmatic, willing to accept help from any sitting president, while downplaying the national politics infiltrating municipal concerns.
  • Quote: "I would never, ever tell a sitting president, no, I don’t want your endorsement." – Emilio Gonzalez [10:35]

• Partisan Tension in a 'Non-Partisan' Race ([11:43]–[14:17])

  • Billy questions the impact of the "MAGA mayor" label and whether Gonzalez has changed since the summer, when he was previously championed by pro-democracy groups.
  • Gonzalez argues partisan toxicity misses the point of local service: “Nice parks. There aren’t Republican parks and Democratic parks.” – Emilio Gonzalez [14:45]

3. Infrastructure, Corruption, and Governance

• Flooding, Climate Change, and Infrastructure ([16:04]–[18:47])

  • Discusses Miami’s flooding issues, necessity of working with state and federal governments, regardless of climate change politics.
  • Emphasizes having relationships with politicians on both sides, using them for the city’s benefit: "Call it what you want...I need money for this." – Emilio Gonzalez [17:20]

• Weaponization of City Government ([18:47]–[19:54])

  • Billy points out the hypocrisy of complaining about weaponized government at city level while accepting national figures accused of the same.
  • Emilio focuses on local governance, avoiding “declaring war” on higher authorities (e.g., ICE, DOJ) and prioritizing residents' needs.

4. Ambitious Proposals for Miami

• Tax Reform: Elimination of Homestead Property Taxes

  • Gonzalez proposes phasing out property taxes for homestead-exempt residents ([23:27]–[25:42]):
    • Claims it's less than 7% of city revenue, savings could be found via efficiency.
    • Quote: "You mean to tell me you can't find $7 million in efficiencies in a $3 billion budget?"

• The Death Tax and Housing Affordability ([30:22]–[31:37])

  • Raises issue of families unable to inherit homes due to surging valuations and taxes.
  • Describes it as another front in keeping Miami accessible to life-long locals.

• Health Insurance for City Residents ([31:37]–[32:58])

  • Suggests city residents should have access to the same health insurance offered to city officials.

• Childcare, Elder Care & Societal Support ([33:13]–[34:45])

  • Miami should expand child and elder care programs, with the city as both provider and facilitator.
  • Quote: "Let's not so much concentrate on the guy that pays $30 million for a penthouse." – Emilio Gonzalez [33:50]

5. Transparency & Accountability in City Management

• Day-One Pledges for Reform ([44:46]–[46:12])

  • Forensic audit, new city manager, permitting and procurement task forces, a citizens’ bill of rights, and open commission meetings.
  • Will not tolerate unethical behavior, even if not criminal.
  • Quote: “I look forward to firing that first person because…you’ve got to be able to—people have to be able to say, wow, this guy fired Billy, shit, he’s serious.” – Emilio Gonzalez [46:12]

• Restoring Civic Trust & Democracy ([47:09]–[47:53])

  • Residents’ top concern is corruption and lack of choice—animosity towards politicians who attempted to cancel or manipulate elections.

6. Immigration and Community Fear

• ICE Collusion & Resident Fears ([39:08]–[44:10])
  • Billy recounts emotional public testimony from Miami’s immigrant community, questioning Gonzalez on the ICE partnership (287g).
  • Gonzalez, former federal immigration director, pledges to support the immigrant community, plans for a new immigration services coordinator.
  • Draws a line: would not shield serious criminals but would offer resources and advocacy to law-abiding immigrants.
  • Quote: “I am the immigration director who is going to be the mayor of the city of Miami. Immigration director who will be mayor of the city with the largest immigrant population.” – Emilio Gonzalez [42:39]

7. Developer Influence & Candidate Distinctions

• GOP Hugger vs. Developer’s Darling ([49:36]–[52:59])

  • Gonzalez responds to criticism of being labeled “MAGA” and positions himself as more substantive than Higgins ("developer’s darling").
  • Critiques Higgins’ strong developer ties and fundraising, describes his own agenda as family-focused and anti-corruption.

• Memorable Miami Moments & Local Political Color ([54:13]–[55:36])

  • Ends with a tongue-in-cheek reflection on past Miami political chaos, corruption, and outlandish commission meetings.
  • Quote: “You know why? #BecauseMiami.” – Billy [55:36]

Selected Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• "Her father was a serial killer, but Monique Pardo Pope may be a serial liar, and she is now just one ballot away from being a Miami Beach City commissioner."
  – Billy [06:46]

• "I would never, ever tell a sitting president, no, I don’t want your endorsement. I welcome it."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [10:35]

• "Nice parks. There aren’t Republican parks and Democratic parks. Nice parks."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [14:45]

• "Call it what you want...I need money for this. I can go to Washington and say, you know what? I need your help with this."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [17:20]

• "I want a Miami that works for everybody. I want to be the mayor that does the heavy lifting."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [15:10]

• "The city’s corrupt, the city’s broken, the city’s this. I don’t trust my commissioners. They’re in it for everybody up there."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [46:58]

• "I am the immigration director who is going to be the mayor of the city of Miami."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [42:39]

• "Let's not so much concentrate on the guy that pays $30 million for a penthouse."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [33:50]

• "There's nothing wrong, quite frankly, with being, as they call me, a Republican that actually cares as opposed to being a Democrat that doesn't care."
  – Emilio Gonzalez [52:37]

• "You know why? #BecauseMiami."
  – Billy [55:36]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Monique Pardo Pope Scandal: [02:38]–[07:04]
• Trump Endorsement/Partisanship: [07:04]–[14:45]
• Flooding & Climate Issues: [16:04]–[18:47]
• Weaponization of Government: [18:47]–[19:54]
• Day-One Reform Commitments: [44:46]–[46:12]
• Immigration & ICE Concerns: [39:08]–[44:10]
• Debate on Developer Influence: [49:36]–[52:59]
• Classic Miami Corruption Stories: [54:13]–[55:36]

Tone and Style

The tone is sharp, irreverent, and detail-oriented, with hosts unafraid to call out hypocrisy, absurdity, or corruption. Gonzalez matches this candor, offering wonky details and bold proposals, often laced with humor and local flavor. Miami’s messy charm and unique political dysfunction are front and center, making for a gripping, quintessentially 'Because Miami' listen.

For Further Listening

Listeners interested in South Florida politics, urban governance, and the wild world of Miami’s city culture will find this episode a must-listen—especially for the direct, policy-specific discourse often missing from national political coverage.