The Megyn Kelly Show – AM Update 11/5/2025

Episode Title: Mamdani Defeats Cuomo, Sherrill's Big NJ Win, VA Democrats Sweep Gov and AG
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

Today’s AM Update delivers a rapid, in-depth roundup of pivotal 2025 election results across New York City, New Jersey, Virginia, California, and Minneapolis. Megyn Kelly gives sharp, unsparing commentary on the seismic political shifts—including the historic election of New York’s first socialist Muslim mayor, Democratic sweeps in Virginia, a decisive New Jersey governor’s race, and consequential state ballot measures. She highlights the key players, their rhetoric, and what these outcomes might signal for the future of party politics and governance in America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. History in New York City: Zoran Mamdani’s Mayoral Win

• Election Details
  • Zoran Mamdani, a 34-year-old, self-described Democratic socialist and Muslim, defeats former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a stunning yet anticipated mayoral race.
  • Massive voter turnout; race called quickly by decision desks.
  • Mamdani’s campaign energized young and working-class voters with promises like rent freezes, free city bus rides, and city-run grocery stores.
• Mamdani’s Victory Speech (02:26; 03:13):
  • “Against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands, my friends. We have toppled a political dynasty. New York. Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford, and a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that.”
  • Emphasized working-class empowerment and a mandate for systemic change.
• Cuomo’s Concession (04:14):
  • Ran a “stilted, cold, arthritic campaign” as Megyn describes.
  • Acknowledged a campaign meant to “contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic Party” and claimed his coalition “transcended normal partisan politics.”
• Analysis & Guest Commentary
  • Bill Ackman and other critics blame Republican Curtis Sliwa for “splitting the vote,” but Mamdani’s margin exceeded the combined Sliwa and Cuomo totals.
  • Bernie Sanders called Mamdani’s win “an enormous amount of credit for running a brilliant campaign” (05:38).
  • Conservative voices like Hugh Hewitt issued dire warnings:
    • “Comrade Mamdani is not just a communist, he's an anti-Semitic communist and he is going to cause international incidents...he is going to cause a disaster that's going to unfold in real time.” (05:55)

2. New Jersey’s Governor Race: Sherrill’s Big Win

• Election Outcome
  • Democratic Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill defeats Republican businessman Jack Ciattarelli by a decisive margin despite expectations of a close contest.
  • Sherrill’s success attributed to successfully tying Ciattarelli to Donald Trump and Trumpian policies.
• Mikey Sherrill’s Victory Speech (07:18):
  • “Here in New Jersey we know that this nation has not ever been, nor will it ever be ruled by kings. We take oaths to a constitution, not a king.”
  • Emphasized constitutional values, economic prosperity, and government service for the people.
• Ciattarelli’s Concession (08:06):
  • “Life's not always fair. But I am proud of the effort we put forth. I'm proud of the message we communicated each and every day. It is my hope that Mikey Sherrill has heard us in terms of what we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel they can achieve their American dream.”
• Megyn’s Quip:
  • “Thanks for nothing, New Jersey. Lucy pulled the football again.” (08:34)

3. Virginia: Democrats Sweep Key Races

• Gubernatorial Race
  • Abigail Spanberger is projected to become the first female governor of Virginia, defeating Winsome Earl Sears.
• Spanberger’s Victory Speech (10:24):
  • “We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos... My goal and my intent is to serve all Virginians… We're going to lower costs... We're going to take politics out of our schools.”
• Legislative Outcomes
  • Both chambers of the Virginia legislature remain under Democratic control, cementing a “solid blue state” for the next two years.
• Attorney General Controversy & Result
  • Jay Jones, who faced backlash for violent, inflammatory past texts about Republicans, wins Attorney General by 5 points.
  • Jones emphasizes unity: “This victory is for you.” (12:25)
• Megyn’s Critique
  • Spanberger’s call to “take politics out of our schools” is called out as vague, with Megyn accusing her of dodging contentious issues.

4. California & Minneapolis: Shifts and Surprises

• California – Prop 50
  • Ballot measure passes to dump the state’s independent redistricting commission, giving Democrats more control to secure blue seats in Congress for the next decade.
• Minneapolis Mayoral Race
  • Incumbent Jacob Fryy faces a tough ranked-choice challenge from Somali American State Senator Omar Fateh, signaling further potential movement on the party’s left.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Zoran Mamdani (Victory Speech, 03:13):
  “For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well connected that power does not belong in their hands...Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it.”
• Mikey Sherrill (New Jersey, 07:18):
  “Here in New Jersey we know that this nation has not ever been, nor will it ever be ruled by kings. We take oaths to a constitution, not a king.”
• Bernie Sanders (on Mamdani, 05:38): “He is taking on the Democratic establishment. So I think this young man deserves an enormous amount of credit for running a brilliant campaign.”
• Hugh Hewitt (Fox News, 05:55): “Comrade Mandani is not just a communist, he's an anti semitic communist and he is going to cause international incidents...I’m telling you it’s a disaster that’s going to unfold in real time.”
• Megyn Kelly’s Sarcastic Take (on NJ, 08:34): “Thanks for nothing, New Jersey. Lucy pulled the football again.”
• Abigail Spanberger (Victory, VA, 10:24): “We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our commonwealth over chaos…”
• Jay Jones (VA Attorney General, 12:25): “This victory is for you.”

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:26 | Zoran Mamdani’s victory declaration | | 03:13 | Mamdani’s victory speech (full quote) | | 04:14 | Cuomo’s concession remarks | | 05:38 | Bernie Sanders' reaction to Mamdani’s win | | 05:55 | Hugh Hewitt’s warning on Fox News | | 07:18 | Mikey Sherrill’s victory speech | | 08:06 | Jack Ciattarelli’s concession | | 10:24 | Abigail Spanberger’s victory remarks (Virginia) | | 12:25 | Jay Jones’ (VA AG) victory speech |

Episode Tone & Language

• Megyn Kelly’s tone: Direct, sarcastic, often critical—especially skeptical of progressive wins and Democratic Party practices.
• Speakers: Use rousing, populist, oratory for victory/concession speeches; guest commentators offer sharp partisan analysis.
• Quotes from opposition: Allow their argument and framing to stand, despite Kelly’s clear skepticism or criticism.

Conclusion

This AM Update delivers an intense, succinct briefing on a night of major Democratic and progressive gains in key states and the possible realignments these victories could create for both parties going forward. Historic wins, intraparty tensions, and controversial figures are all put under Megyn Kelly’s critical microscope, making this episode essential for listeners wanting an unfiltered rundown of November 2025’s political earthquake.