The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Episode 3583 — China Decarbonizing; AIPAC On the Ballot in North Carolina
Host: Emma Vigeland (in for Sam Seder)
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two major topics:

1. China's breakthrough in decarbonizing its economy—an in-depth interview with clean energy expert Assaad Razzouk on how China’s CO₂ emissions are falling despite continued economic growth, challenging long-held assumptions about the impossibility of "green growth."
2. The influence of AIPAC and big tech money in North Carolina politics—conversation with progressive congressional candidate Nida Allam about her campaign against establishment-backed opponents and the broader struggle for progressive priorities in the Democratic party.

The show also covers breaking national news and provides important updates on New York City's battle to balance its budget and preserve progressive policies in the face of state and federal resistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National and Local Political Headlines (00:06–17:52)

• Progressive Momentum in Blue Cities:

  • Emma highlights Zoran Mamdani's successes as NYC Mayor: securing three resignations from the Adams-appointed Rent Guidelines Board and moving forward to freeze rents on 1 million stabilized apartments.
  • [08:51] Zoran Mamdani's address on NYC Budget:

    “There are two paths that we can walk: one that offers long term stability and a second with significant pain that we deeply hope to avoid.”
    —Zoran Mamdani (08:51)

• Budget Impasse and Policy Stakes:

  • Mamdani is pushing Albany to raise taxes on the 33,000 NYC residents who make over $1 million/year, rather than raising property taxes—framing it as a fight for working- and middle-class New Yorkers ([11:24] discussion).
  • “He lays out the raw numbers... 33,000 New Yorkers would be taxed an extra 2% versus over 3 million affected by a 9.5% property tax increase.” —Emma Vigeland (14:13)

• Media and Political Dynamics:

  • Discussion of right-wing media tactics highlighting potential property tax increases while omitting context ([16:34] Brian: “They have to lie and talk about snow.”)
  • Framing the city-state fiscal relationship as similar to the dynamic of blue states subsidizing red states federally ([11:24] Emma Vigeland).

2. Interview: China’s Decarbonization with Assaad Razzouk

[23:43–40:48]

China's Green Revolution

• China’s Path:

  • Razzouk explains China's success is rooted in years of public pressure on pollution, enshrining "ecological civilization" into the Communist Party constitution in 2017 in response to mass unrest—80,000 pollution-riots a year in the 2010s.

    “They usually don’t like to miss their goals and like to be a few years early... They are number one globally as a machine.”
    —Assaad Razzouk (24:43)

• Economic Growth & Emissions Reductions:

  • Emma asks how China disproves the “growth vs. decarbonization” myth.
  • Razzouk: Fossil fuel-based energy wastes two-thirds of input energy; electrification (solar, wind, batteries) is vastly more efficient and less environmentally damaging ([27:07–28:39]).
  • “We built a remarkably wasteful and destructive fossil fuel electricity system... when you electrify, almost 100% of what you use is usable energy.”—Assaad Razzouk (27:07)

• Long-Term Planning Contrast with U.S.:

  • “There’s no long-term planning here in the United States... In China, the investment in high-speed rail and infrastructure allowed rapid green energy advances.” —Emma Vigeland (28:35)
  • China, by 2030, will have the capacity to build the equivalent of the entire U.S. electricity system every year—thanks to solar, wind, and battery manufacturing ([29:43]).

• Tech Monopoly & Batteries:

  • Solar leads, batteries ramping, nuclear is important but slow to scale ([32:03]). Coal is being maintained as a transition and insurance, operating at declining capacity ([33:33]).
  • “You have to look at what they’re doing—their coal plants are running at 35% capacity ... they need it as a bridge.” —Assaad Razzouk (33:33)

• Impact on U.S. Competitiveness:

  • “It means China will have a massive competitive advantage ... in AI, data centers, at lower costs ... American business knows this, but the ‘machine’ here drives the wrong way.” —Razzouk (29:43)
  • Texas, an oil & gas state, is leapfrogging California in solar because ‘the market says it's cheaper, it's better’ ([39:27]).

• Should the U.S. Rely on Chinese Tech?

  • “Why would you not buy a solar panel that lasts 40 years... after that, the fuel is free and yours? It’s an energy security issue.” —Razzouk (37:37)
  • Ultimately, Razzouk asserts economics will force the U.S. toward clean energy, no matter the political stumbles.

3. Interview: Nida Allam — Progressives vs. AIPAC in North Carolina

[42:24–55:39]

Fighting Corporate and Pro-Israel Money in Elections

• Background & Dynamics:

  • Allam, a Justice Democrat, is running again for NC-4 against Rep. Valerie Foushee—a race previously floodlit by AIPAC, DMFI, and crypto money, which combined to defeat her in 2022.
  • “This momentum and energy of anti-genocide, anti-war candidates is what working class people want in this country. They are sick and tired of seeing their tax dollars fund wars while they struggle.” —Nida Allam (43:35)

• AIPAC & Corporate Influence:

  • Although Foushee stopped accepting AIPAC money recently, she continues to take donations from corporate defense contractors and tech companies linked to both war and surveillance (Meta, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman).
  • “Why is a member of Congress in a safe blue seat accepting corporate checks from Raytheon, Northrop Grumman ... all these corporations that profit off genocide?” —Allam (45:00)

• AI Data Centers & Local Anger:

  • Growing community opposition to Meta’s massive data center in the district, which raises utility costs, uses immense water, and offers few jobs.
  • “Duke Energy is already hiking up electricity prices for the data centers. Why is that being passed down to residents?” —Allam (46:46)

• Progressive Platform:

  • Supporting the Green New Deal, Allam says the data center fight ties jobs, climate, and energy equity together—residents see the link between corporate projects and higher bills/jobs loss.
  • Launched the Carolina Contract to restore federal funding and jobs lost to budget cuts—promises a 150% restoration and worker protections ([51:03–52:35]).

• Immigration & ICE Resistance:

  • “I am the only candidate in this race that has called for the abolishment of ICE. Our current member just suggests body cameras—for an agency that’s murdering people. Cameras aren’t the solution.” —Allam (53:07)

• Activist Roots & Endorsements:

  • Describes entering politics after losing her best friend in a 2015 anti-Muslim hate crime; became politically active via Bernie Sanders’ campaign and now has his endorsement ([49:26]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Progressive Leadership:

  • “His governance is a laboratory for future left wing and progressive governance ... his aggression and ruthlessness, in the best way, is a lesson that should be learned.”
    —Emma Vigeland, on Zoran Mamdani (05:39)

• On U.S.-China Rivalry in Clean Tech:

  • “It means they [China] will build an entire US electricity system each year ... and reach a state of overabundance.”
    —Assaad Razzouk (29:43)

• On Corporate Capture:

  • “The problem is there’s a lot of Democrats who are basically bought by the rich ... the big billionaires who are making the giant towers and parking their investments in there.”
    —Matt (13:26)

• On Local Organizing:

  • “We are the only campaign running any sort of field program ... meeting voters where they’re at and building those relationships.”
    —Nida Allam (54:39)

Important Timestamps

• 00:06–17:52: National and NYC political updates; Zoran Mamdani’s NYC budget address ([08:51])
• 23:43–40:48: Assaad Razzouk interview on China’s decarbonization
• 42:24–55:39: Nida Allam interview on AIPAC, anti-corporate organizing, and progressive strategy in NC
• Other Key Moments:
  • [14:13]: Breakdown of impact differences between taxing the ultra-rich and property taxes
  • [27:07]: Fossil fuels vs. electrification efficiency
  • [33:33]: China's coal as grid insurance during transition
  • [46:46]: AI data center impacts on local community
  • [49:26]: Nida Allam on origins in activism

Tone & Style

The discussion is passionate, direct, and irreverent, blending sharp political analysis with personal anecdotes and humor. Both interviews probe the hypocrisy of status quo politics and challenge the inevitability of corporate-driven policy.

For Further Engagement

• Assaad Razzouk’s “The Angry Clean Energy Guy” podcast (see show/episode links)
• Nida Allam’s campaign website: nidaalam.com

This summary captures the critical analyses, interviews, and progressive calls-to-action that defined this Majority Report episode—a must-listen for those following the intersection of climate, political corruption, and grassroots organizing.