Mamdani, Trump and the End of the Old Politics

The Ezra Klein Show

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Published: Sat Jun 28 2025

Zohran Mamdani created a new anti-establishment playbook – in his use of social video, his focus on affordability and his position on Israel. His assumed victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, trouncing the former governor Andrew Cuomo, was one of the biggest political upsets in years. And while the electorate in this case is pretty specific, I think it still points to some tectonic changes in Democratic politics. My friend Chris Hayes, the host of MSNBC’s “All In With Chris Hayes,” came on the show earlier this year to talk about his book “The Sirens’ Call,” which is all about how social media and the new attention economy are shaping politics. So I wanted to bring him back for a sequel, to get “The Sirens’ Call” take on Mamdani’s victory, and Hayes’s insights as a born-and-raised New Yorker, with a deep feel for both the city’s politics and the broader Democratic Party. This episode contains strong language. Book Recommendations: The Name of the Rose by ...

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ezra Klein Show - "Mamdani, Trump and the End of the Old Politics"

Release Date: June 28, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Ezra Klein Show, Ezra Klein engages in a deep-dive conversation with Chris Hayes, MSNBC anchor and author of The Siren's Call, about the recent Democratic primary in New York City. The focus centers on the unexpected victory of Zoran Mamdani over the established figure, Andrew Cuomo, highlighting a pivotal shift in political campaign strategies and the evolving landscape of political attention.

Campaign Strategies: Traditional vs. Viral Attention

Chris Hayes opens the discussion by contrasting the campaign strategies of Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani. Cuomo's approach was rooted in traditional methods, leveraging a substantial super PAC to flood the airwaves with negative advertising:

"Andrew Cuomo ran a campaign that was based on a tried and true strategy of buying attention. He had this gigantic super PAC with tens of millions of dollars purchasing all the advertising money can buy." (01:02)

In stark contrast, Mamdani adopted a modern, viral-centric strategy utilizing short vertical videos tailored for platforms like Instagram and TikTok:

"Zoran Mandani, a risk New York can't afford, paid for by Fix the City." (01:55)

This innovative approach allowed Mamdani to transition from obscurity to dominating online attention, effectively circumventing the traditional media channels that Cuomo depended upon.

The Power of Social Media in Modern Campaigns

Chris Hayes emphasizes the significance of Mamdani's native use of social media, particularly focusing on vertical video formats:

"Zoran was not dominant as a figure in like text on X. No, it was videos, it was visuals." (07:19)

Mamdani's campaign harnessed the aesthetic and algorithmic advantages of modern social media, presenting a consistent and visually engaging image that resonated with younger and more digitally-connected voters. This strategy marks a departure from previous digital campaigns dominated by text-based interactions, as seen with figures like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.

Implications for Future Political Campaigns

The conversation delves into the broader implications of Mamdani's victory for future political campaigns. Hayes posits that traditional metrics of fundraising may give way to the ability to generate and maintain social media attention:

"If you're an Ohio Senate candidate or a Wisconsin Senate candidate than if you're a New York City mayoral. Absolutely. Candidate. But Wisconsin and Ohio and Missouri and all these places have their own things that people care about and their own cultures." (14:21)

This shift necessitates that political parties, particularly the Democratic and Republican Committees, reassess their candidate selection criteria, prioritizing attentional skills and social media proficiency alongside traditional fundraising prowess.

Challenges in Policy Implementation and Governance

While Mamdani's campaign promises energized his base, Hayes raises concerns about the feasibility of delivering on complex policies such as rent freezes and free daycare:

"There's a question about whether or not he can deliver affordability if he's not able to increase supply." (37:07)

The discussion highlights the perennial tension between ambitious campaign promises and the pragmatic constraints of governance, questioning whether Mamdani's policies can withstand the structural challenges of implementation in a complex urban environment like New York City.

Internal Democratic Party Dynamics: Israel and Gaza

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the internal conflicts within the Democratic Party, particularly concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict. Mamdani's handling of sensitive issues related to Israel drew both support and criticism:

"I believe Mamdani is anti Zionist and not anti Semitic. And he did a very, very, very good job in my view, in answers of making that clear." (80:36)

Hayes and Klein explore the delicate balance Mamdani must maintain to support Jewish New Yorkers while addressing broader concerns about Israeli policies, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing anti-Zionism from anti-Semitism to navigate these contentious waters effectively.

Narrating Policy and Maintaining Support

The conversation touches upon the struggle politicians face in aligning campaign narratives with governance realities. Hayes references Barack Obama's challenges in managing public expectations versus legislative achievements:

"Obama never sort of was able to narrativize that... to ease the disappointment a lot of people felt." (41:11)

Similarly, Mamdani faces the task of delivering on his campaign promises without alienating his supporters, stressing the need for transparent communication and continuous engagement with constituents.

The Future of Political Communication

Hayes and Klein conclude by reflecting on the transformative impact of social media on political communication. They discuss the inherent challenges and opportunities presented by algorithm-driven platforms, which favor high-engagement content often characterized by simplicity and emotional resonance over nuanced discourse:

"Politics economically is going to be about... bringing costs down, not just bringing subsidies up and whether Mamdani's particular policies will work to do." (35:20)

This paradigm shift underscores the necessity for politicians to adapt to new communication modalities, balancing the demand for authentic, relatable content with the imperative of substantive policy discussions.

Notable Quotes

Chris Hayes on Mamdani's viral strategy:
"It's the first time I've seen a Democratic candidate be totally native to the medium of our time, which is short vertical video in the algorithmic feed." (04:01)
Zoran Mamdani emphasizing affordability:
"If there was a candidate talking about freezing the rent, making buses free, making universal childcare a reality, are those Things that you'd support?" (05:42)
Chris Hayes on the limitations of traditional media buys:
"You cannot buy attention now the way you once could. You can only earn it." (12:42)
Zoran Mamdani addressing criticism:
"I disagree with you on one issue. I'm pretty sure you know which one it is. And I agree with you on the others. And I'm gonna be ranking you on your." (73:27)

Conclusion

This episode of The Ezra Klein Show illuminates the evolving strategies in political campaigning, underscored by the shift from traditional media dominance to the potent influence of social media-driven viral content. Through the lens of Zoran Mamdani's groundbreaking primary victory, Ezra Klein and Chris Hayes explore the complexities and future trajectories of political communication, policy implementation, and internal party dynamics. The conversation serves as a pivotal analysis for understanding the intersection of media, politics, and governance in the contemporary landscape.

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