The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: DEMS WIN BIG!!! Our Special Coverage of Election Night in America
Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Olivia Troye, Mike Fanone, Norm Eisen

Episode Overview

On this special live election night coverage, Jim Acosta is joined by former White House official Olivia Troye (reporting on the road), former D.C. police officer and January 6 hero Mike Fanone, and legal analyst Norm Eisen to break down a dramatic and historic night for Democrats across America. With decisive victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City, the hosts reflect on what these results mean for the future of democracy, the political climate under Donald Trump’s second term, and the growing backlash against MAGA extremism. The tone is candid, urgent, and - ultimately - hopeful.

Main Victories and Highlights

• Abigail Spanberger elected the first female Governor of Virginia (00:00–03:00)
  • Noted as an early, decisive call—an historic, overdue moment for Virginia.
• Mikie Sherrill projected to win the New Jersey Governor’s race (12:12, 13:33, 14:06)
  • Both Spanberger and Sherrill, described as "national security moms," win in states experiencing Trump-era turbulence.
• Zoran Mamdani projected to win New York City Mayor race (55:00–58:00)
  • 34-year-old progressive focuses on affordability, said to represent a generational shift in Democratic leadership.
• Massive Democratic gains in state offices and courts (45:10–50:00)
  • Victories in Attorney General races (Jay Jones in Virginia), PA State Supreme Court maintains Democratic majority.

Key Discussion Points and Segments

1. Virginia’s Historic Win & the MAGA Backlash

Timestamps: 00:00–09:00

• Spanberger’s inclusive campaign, outreach to rural and red areas, & focus on public service.
• Republican Winsome Sears depicted as too extreme, turning off independents and moderate Republicans.
• "Donald Trump handed Virginia to the Democrats with Doge, with these layoffs, with a shutdown. He's shutting down the government in the middle of an election season. I mean, that is stupid." – Jim Acosta (03:24)
• Hispanic voters’ anger at ICE raids cited as a significant factor (05:42).

2. Impact of Trump Administration Policies

Timestamps: 09:00–20:00

• Ongoing government shutdown under Trump hitting federal workers hard, especially in Virginia’s DMV area.
• SNAP benefits and other social supports being cut during high-visibility Trump displays of wealth (Mar-a-Lago parties) (22:38–23:59).
• Trump’s public threats against states (NY Gateway Project, etc.).
• “His go to when it comes to locally based elections in different states … is, I'm gonna put you through pain. I'm gonna take away funding for this. … That's not what we have—right?" – Olivia Troye (10:40)

3. Early Calls: National Security Moms Win

Timestamps: 12:10–15:00

• Decision Desk HQ, The Hill, and NBC calling both VA & NJ for Democratic women before 9 pm.
• Producer Sam notes: “Mikie Sherrill apparently has outperformed Kamala Harris in a slew of counties in New Jersey.” – Sam, via Jim Acosta (13:12)
• “For people to put democracy into action, to actually go cast a ballot and say, screw you, Donald Trump ... a pressure valve is getting released tonight.” – Jim Acosta (08:00)

4. Reflections on Political Mood & Public Sentiment

Timestamps: 20:00–29:30

• Voters motivated by survival, fear of authoritarian retribution.
• Spanberger’s win seen more as a referendum on Trump than pure enthusiasm for her candidacy (20:43, 27:11).
• “They were all there because Donald Trump is a danger to democracy and they see how his policies are… threatening the lives of and livelihoods of everyday, average Americans in Virginia.” – Mike Fanone (20:43)

5. New York, New Jersey, and the Democratic Wave

Timestamps: 30:00–50:00

• Large margins surprise many, with victories called far earlier than expected; Sherrill leads Cittarelli by double digits, defeating Trump-endorsed opponent decisively (34:44).
• New York City: Zoran Mamdani wins, signifying a generational leap and focus on affordability.

6. Trump’s Prospects & the Republican Party

Timestamps: 38:00–43:00

• Discussion about potential Republican strategies, including “the Epstein files” as an attempted distraction (38:49).
• Speculation about Trump’s potential to leave the country or withdraw from the presidency under pressure.
• “There's a little part of me that wonders, does he really want to tolerate this for three more years, getting pummeled and his ass kicked over?” – Jim Acosta (42:37)
• “Do you think they let him lay in state?" – Mike Fanone (42:20)

7. Theme of Hope, Democratic Resilience & Legal Perspective

Timestamps: 65:48–80:59

• Norm Eisen joins to declare: “Massive repudiation of Trumpery. If there's one thing the American people hate, it's corruption. ... The American people did not sign up for that.” (67:44)
• Democrats and pro-democracy forces have won or outperformed in 49 of 50 elections this cycle, on average by 15 points (71:26–73:15).
• “The state of our democracy is resilient. ... But there's a lot of pushback going on. And tonight, an enormous blow to the solar plexus of authoritarianism.” – Norm Eisen (74:56)
• Emphasis on teamwork in democracy, and planning for rebuilding and reform beyond just winning elections (79:54).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spanberger's Historic Win:
  “She put in the work… She traveled to a lot of, like, smaller… very red suburbs as well. ... I am so proud of the campaign that she ran.” – Olivia Troye (00:25)
• On Trump’s Shutdown:
  "Donald Trump handed Virginia to the Democrats with Doge, with these layoffs, with a shutdown. He's shutting down the government in the middle of an election season. I mean, that is stupid." – Jim Acosta (03:24)
• Voter Motivation:
  “They were all there because Donald Trump is a danger to democracy …” – Mike Fanone (20:43)
• On Trump’s Indifference:
  “He has massive, I don't give a fuck energy and the voters are going to remind him that he is still, or at least his party is still being held accountable right now.” – Jim Acosta (22:38)
• Summing Up the Night:
  “This is a massive, massive repudiation for Donald Trump. ... This is a voter revolt.” – Jim Acosta (58:25)
• Legal Perspective:
  “The state of our democracy is resilient. Yes, Donald Trump, tremendous death and destruction. But there's a lot of pushback going on. And tonight, an enormous blow to the solar plexus of authoritarianism.” – Norm Eisen (74:56)
• On Democratic Momentum:
  “Tonight, that rumble has become a roar, a pro democracy roar.” – Norm Eisen (73:13)

Representative Timestamps

• 00:00: Show opens; Spanberger’s historic win announced.
• 03:24: Discussion on Trump’s impact on Virginia.
• 05:42: Latino voter frustration with ICE raids.
• 12:12–13:33: New Jersey gubernatorial race called early for Sherrill.
• 14:06, 20:43: Themes of rebuke and voter motivation over Trump policies.
• 30:45–34:44: Discussion of down-ballot Democratic victories, statewide trends.
• 55:00–58:00: Zoran Mamdani’s New York City mayoral win.
• 65:48: Norm Eisen joins to give a legal and historical perspective.
• 73:13–74:56: Norm details nationwide pro-democracy wins and significance.
• 80:11–80:59: Closing remarks, tone of hope and democratic resilience.

Tone and Takeaway

The episode is raw, unscripted, and cathartic—a blend of celebration, relief, anger, and resolve. The hosts and guests pull no punches in critiquing the Trump administration, but return again and again to the idea that American democracy, though battered, fights back through elections and civic action. The victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City are framed not just as partisan wins, but as a popular revolt – a “roar” against corruption, authoritarianism, and fear.

Final Theme: This is a turning point—for hope, for democracy, and for truth-telling in the media. The night’s results, the hosts say, are clear: “The pressure valve is being released,” and “democracy is a team sport.”

Listen for:

• Sharp on-the-ground insights
• Personal anecdotes and cross-partisan perspectives (Olivia Troye, a Republican, voted for Spanberger)
• Real-time reactions to breaking news
• A steady through-line of hope: "the battle continues, but the dream never dies."