The David Pakman Show – Episode Summary
Date: October 23, 2025
Title: NYC Debate Mania as Trump Demented While Canada Says Bye-Bye
Host: David Pakman

Episode Overview

This episode of The David Pakman Show provides a sharp, satirical, and often biting analysis of the major political events dominating the headlines: New York City’s chaotic mayoral debate, Canada’s public “breakup” with the U.S. under Trump, Trump’s escalating narcissism and wild claims, the ongoing government shutdown, the White House’s costly makeover, Republican healthcare evasion, and cringeworthy moments in right-wing media. Through direct quotes, robust breakdowns, and notable exchanges, Pakman critiques the current state of politics with his signature wit and fact-based commentary.

Key Segments & Analysis

1. NYC Mayoral Debate Meltdown

Timestamps: 00:00–12:11

Participants:

• David Pakman (analysis/reaction)
• Zoran Mamdani (socialist, Democratic frontrunner)
• Andrew Cuomo (former NY Governor)
• Curtis Sliwa (Republican candidate)

Highlights:

• Cuomo’s Catastrophic Performance: Pakman labels the debate a “complete disaster” for Cuomo, crediting Mamdani as the clear front-runner and more likable candidate.

  • “Cuomo, the former governor of New York, comes off as deeply unlikable, out of touch, and disingenuous.” (00:53, Pakman)

• Sexual Harassment Allegations: Mamdani confronts Cuomo directly, referencing the many allegations and a specific accuser in the audience:

  • “What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed?” (02:53, Mamdani)
  • “...the cases were dropped. Right. You know, that is a fact. So everything you just stated...was a misstatement...” (03:49, Cuomo)
  • Pakman interjects: “Just because a case can't be prosecuted doesn't mean something didn't happen. A lot of sexual harassment is also not criminal.” (04:19, Pakman)

• Sliwa’s One-Liners:

  • “Andrew, you didn't leave. You fled from being impeached by the Democrats in the state legislature.” (07:15, Sliwa)
  • “Your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City.” (07:32, Sliwa)

• Endorsement Question:

  • Cuomo would accept Adams’ endorsement; Sliwa responds: “Absolutely not. Put that crook in jail where he belongs.” (08:15, Sliwa)
  • Mamdani: “No.” (08:12, Mamdani)

• Charges Against Cuomo:

  • Mamdani on Cuomo’s record: “The issue is that we have all experienced your experience—the issue is that you took a $5 million book deal while you sent seniors to their deaths in nursing homes.” (08:46, Mamdani)

• Policy Absurdities & Insults:

  • Cuomo’s attempt at humor: “I’m going to save a bed in a psychiatric hospital for Curtis Sliwa.” (10:07, Cuomo – audience unimpressed)

Pakman’s Tone & Concluding Thoughts:

• “It seems like a foregone conclusion that Mamdani is going to run away with this thing.”
• “Cuomo is simply not that. He is not living up to the moment.” (12:11, Pakman)

2. Canada Publicly Distances from Trump’s America

Timestamps: 12:11–17:16

Participants:

• Mark Carney (Prime Minister of Canada, at CPAC)
• David Pakman (commentary)

Highlights:

• Major Announcement: Carney openly declares that the decades-long process of deepening economic ties with the U.S. is “now over” due to Trump.

  • “This decades long process of an ever closer economic relationship with the United States is now over.” (16:09, Carney)

• Canada Reinvesting in Itself:

  • “We will build Canadian. The new security threats...mean we’re making the biggest investments in our military in generations. ...Our upcoming budget will move forward with our by Canadian policy, prioritizing Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, manufactured good and technology for Canadian projects.” (13:28-15:00, Carney)

• Pakman’s Analysis:

  • “This is a disaster for the United States. This is barely getting attention. …The Prime Minister of Canada, a long term ally…they’re saying, ‘we’re just not that into you anymore.’ And it’s because of Donald Trump.” (16:45-17:16, Pakman)

3. Trump’s Narcissistic Collapse & Outlandish Claims

Timestamps: 22:13–23:04

Highlights:

• Trump’s Bizarre Presidential Ranking:
  • “[People said,] ‘You’re the third best president.’ …George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. And I got extremely angry at this man... It’s going to be tough to beat Washington and Lincoln, but we’re going to give it a try.” (22:13, Trump)

Pakman’s Response:

• “Imagine being so detached from reality that you’re angry that people don’t rank you above Abraham Lincoln.” (22:53, Pakman)
• “He cannot separate personal validation from reality and is so desperate to be loved and to be seen as the best.” (22:53, Pakman)
• Explains how Trump’s “bubble of yes men” feeds his delusion.

4. Hostile Rhetoric & The White House Makeover

Timestamps: 27:31–31:02

Topics:

• Trump Threatens Gavin Newsom:

  • “Gavin had better be careful.” (Trump, 27:46)
  • Pakman ridicules this as intimidation based on Trump’s insecurity.

• $300 Million Gilded Ballroom:

  • Trump explains East Wing demolition and new ballroom for “honoring foreign leaders.”
  • “What’s another 50 million between friends, right? In donor money, of course.” (31:02, Pakman)

• Pakman’s Sarcasm:

  • “Remember, money can’t buy class. And if Trump represents anything, it’s that money cannot buy class.” (31:44, Pakman)

• Reporter Confrontation:

  • Trump grows hostile: “You’re a third rate reporter, always have been.” (31:25, Trump)

5. Policy Evasions & Republican Contradictions

Timestamps: 41:19–43:22

MAGA Mike Johnson on Healthcare:

• Asserts a GOP health care plan exists but is a “secret” until the government shutdown ends.
  • “We need to get back to regular session... We will not negotiate with legislative terrorists.” (41:33, Johnson)
  • Pressed by Kaitlan Collins: “If the government reopened tonight, would Republicans have a plan?” Johnson: “Yes. Yes, we have proposals to—yeah, we could have that ready immediately.” (43:11, Johnson)

Pakman’s Analysis:

• “This is like when I pick up my daughter from daycare and she says, ‘Let’s go to the playground,’ and then when it’s time to go, she goes, ‘No, we just got here.’” (43:22, Pakman)
• “MAGA Mike Johnson’s clueless, Trump’s clueless, they’re all clueless.” (43:22, Pakman)

6. Senator Susan Collins Dodges a Struggling Constituent

Timestamps: 48:03–50:34

Story:

• Andrew Volk, Maine small business owner, tries to discuss ACA tax credits with Senator Susan Collins. Her staff re-routes him to a legislative aide; Collins then evades direct contact.

Memorable Quotes:

• Andrew: “I haven’t seen Senator Collins fighting the administration. I haven’t seen her fighting for Mainers…I don’t see the action.” (49:05, Andrew Volk)
• Collins’ classic style: “She’s also concerned about the rising cost of health care as well.” (49:35, Aide)
• Pakman: “The bigger picture here is I’m so sick of Susan Collins...she’s really not moderate. She’s polite while doing all the same things that just about every single one of them do.” (50:34, Pakman)

7. Right-Wing Media Unhinged: Trump’s Feces Meme and Fox News Reaction

Timestamps: 55:56–58:42

Fox News' Jesse Watters:

• Praises Trump’s AI-generated “feces bomb” meme targeting protesters, including Harry Sisson.
  • “Trump’s a meme lord. He’s strafing feces over everybody.” (56:01, Watters)

Pakman’s Satire:

• “Fox hosts cheering the president’s latest feces meme like it’s a masterstroke of political communication...It’s memetic warfare. It’s owning the libs.” (56:11, Pakman)

A Token Dose of Reality:

• Fox panelist shares that her mother’s small business, importing from Canada, is being crushed by rising costs:
  • “The anticipation of it has the suppliers bringing the prices up. She is not passing it on to consumers. She is eating it…My mom supports the president and believes that somehow…this period of discomfort will eventually ease.” (57:59, Fox Host)

Pakman’s Take:

• “We’re getting all of the real story: small business owners are getting crushed and the cultists don’t care and they’re still going to support Donald Trump.” (58:42, Pakman)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed?” – Zoran Mamdani (02:53)
• “Just because a case can't be prosecuted doesn't mean something didn't happen.” – David Pakman (04:19)
• “Andrew, you didn't leave. You fled from being impeached by the Democrats in the state legislature.” – Curtis Sliwa (07:15)
• “This decades long process of an ever closer economic relationship with the United States is now over.” – Mark Carney (16:09)
• “Imagine being so detached from reality that you’re angry that people don’t rank you above Abraham Lincoln.” – David Pakman (22:53)
• “MAGA Mike Johnson’s clueless, Trump’s clueless, they’re all clueless.” – David Pakman (43:22)
• “I haven’t seen Senator Collins fighting for Mainers…I don’t see the action.” – Andrew Volk (49:05)
• “Trump’s a meme lord. He’s strafing feces over everybody.” – Jesse Watters (56:01)
• “Fox hosts cheering the president’s latest feces meme like it’s a masterstroke of political communication...” – David Pakman (56:11)
• “We’re getting all of the real story: small business owners are getting crushed and the cultists don’t care and they’re still going to support Donald Trump.” – David Pakman (58:42)

Memorable Moments

• Mamdani confronting Cuomo on allegations in front of accuser Charlotte Bennett. (02:53–03:49)
• Sliwa’s cutting insults, especially about fleeing impeachment. (07:15)
• Cuomo’s botched attempt at a psychiatric joke, falling flat. (10:07–10:13)
• Mark Carney’s blunt termination of Canada-U.S. economic integration. (16:09–16:45)
• Trump’s meltdown about being “only” the third best president. (22:13–22:53)
• Fox News' celebration (rather than condemnation) of Trump’s “feces bomb” meme. (56:01–56:11)

Episode Takeaways

• A Damning Look at Leadership: From Trump’s unhinged behavior and disregard for tradition or alliances (Canada moving away, White House project), to Cuomo’s failing comebacks, the episode illustrates a crisis of competence and ethics across the GOP and some Democratic establishment figures.
• Performative Politics & Substance Gaps: Republican leadership’s repeated dodges on health care and “solutions” are lampooned as hollow rhetoric.
• Media & Memes: Right-wing media’s descent into glorifying crude memes, rather than discussing real policy impacts, is exposed as symptomatic of Trump-era conservatism.
• Real-World Consequences: Constituents and small business owners are being hurt by current politics, but GOP leaders evade responsibility and accountability.

Further Listening

Pakman teases more stories—including a controversial Maine Senate race, Elon Musk’s new Nashville tunnel project, and Pentagon press corps drama—on the day’s Bonus Show, available at joinpacman.com.

Summary compiled by [Podcast Summarizer AI]. For more engaging breakdowns, tune in to The David Pakman Show and subscribe for daily, in-depth news and commentary.