The Michael Knowles Show

Episode 1850 — "New York Elects A Muslim Communist Mayor"
Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Michael Knowles Show dissects the dramatic results of the recent U.S. elections, most notably the election of Zoran Mamdani—portrayed by Knowles as a "Muslim communist"—as mayor of New York City, and the election of Jay Jones in Virginia, whose rhetoric Knowles finds extreme and alarming. Across nearly an hour, Knowles laments Democratic victories, explores the cultural and political shifts they signify, critiques progressive identity and class politics, and reflects on the future of the GOP while highlighting broader trends shaping America’s political landscape.

Key Discussion Points

1. Zoran Mamdani’s Victory in New York City

• With over 50% of the vote counted (01:45), Mamdani, an immigrant and self-identified socialist, decisively wins the New York mayoral race.

• Knowles dissects Mamdani’s victory speech, emphasizing its focus on representing various immigrant communities—including "Yemeni bodega owners" and "Mexican abuelas"—and its pointed exclusion of white or long-established New Yorkers.

  • Notable Quote:

    “I speak of Yemeni bodega owners and Mexican abuelas, Senegalese taxi drivers and Uzbek nurses, Trinidadian line cooks and Ethiopian aunties. Yes, aunties.”
    — Zoran Mamdani (03:30–03:54)

• Knowles criticizes this “identity politics” approach, arguing it ignores “New Yorkers” as a unified group and, by omission, diminishes the city’s historical European-descended population (04:00).

• Socialist Connection:
  Mamdani kicks off his speech by quoting Eugene Debs, a renowned American socialist, which Knowles characterizes as a significant ideological declaration:

  • Notable Quote:

    “The sun may have set over our city this evening, but as Eugene Debs once said, I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.”
    — Zoran Mamdani (05:51)

• Knowles explains for listeners who Debs was: “a very, very prominent, very dangerous man... jailed for sedition” (06:16), reinforcing his concern about the rise of open socialism.

2. Analysis of Mamdani’s Identity and the "Muslim Communist" Label

• Knowles provides his rationale for labeling Mamdani, arguing that while some on the right overly focus on his Muslim identity, his “millennial socialism” is more politically significant (07:53).

  • Notable Quote:

    “The fact that he’s Muslim is like the best thing about this guy. ... No, it’s worse than that. He’s a cringe millennial socialist. That’s the worst part.”

• He argues that Mamdani is not defined by radical or Islamic theocratic ideology:

  “I don’t hear him up there quoting Sayyid Qutib. I don’t hear him up there quoting Osama bin Laden. I think that’s probably one of the least significant aspects of his identity.” (09:47)

3. The Right and Left’s Struggle with Hyperreal Politics

• Knowles explores Chris Rufo’s recent article about the meta-political dynamics on both left and right (16:08).

• He introduces the concept of "hyperreal politics" (drawing from Baudrillard), where politics becomes a performance of symbols and taboos rather than substantive ideological battles.

  • Strawberry analogy:

    "By the end, people ... like the strawberry Jolly Rancher slushie ice cream, but it doesn’t really taste like the strawberry ... That’s the process of hyperreality." (17:52)

• He draws parallels between internet personalities like Hasan Piker on the left and Nick Fuentes on the right, arguing both sides engage in performative, attention-seeking tactics disconnected from real political outcomes.

Hasan Piker’s Reaction to Mamdani’s Victory

• Notable Quote:

  “Yeah, I think we are in the heart of the imperial core. ... There’s no class consciousness in the United States of America. ... But ... everyday Americans ... are finally arriving at the conclusion that perhaps there is an alternative out there ... as opposed to the interests of the billionaire.”
  — Hasan Piker (12:53–13:33)

• Knowles calls out what he sees as hypocrisy in Piker’s millionaire status and avowed socialism:

  “That guy is a millionaire. ... This guy would not have lasted five minutes in the Soviet Union, and everyone knows it.” (13:33)

4. Virginia Elections: The Rise of ‘Violent Rhetoric’

• Knowles turns to Virginia, where Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeats Republican Winsome Sears in the gubernatorial race (21:34).

  • Spanberger’s endorsement of Jay Jones—who had previously made violent threats against Republicans and their children—becomes a focal point.

• Notable Jay Jones Quotes (Paraphrased by Knowles):

  • “Calling for the murder of a Republican opponent and the opponent’s kids. ... Said more cops should die to convince politicians to change cop policy.” (21:56)

• Knowles highlights how Democrats, despite Jones' rhetoric, decisively elect him as Attorney General—interpreting it as an alarming acceptance, or even celebration, of violent anti-Republican sentiment.

5. Reflection on GOP Losses and What’s Next

• Knowles cautions against simplistic explanations for the GOP’s underperformance, emphasizing the importance of organizing “get out the vote” efforts and not drawing the wrong lessons (26:27).

  • He credits Democrats with superior off-year electoral machinery and hints that economic anxieties may have played a role.

• On Republican coalition dynamics:

  • Cites polling that reveals Millennials are, surprisingly, the most “MAGA,” “America First” generation—“to the right of Franco, apparently” (30:47).

    “Millennial patriots are in charge of this country. And I guess that’s a good thing. I guess.” (32:25)

6. Government Shutdown and the Democrats’ Shift

• With the election ending, Knowles notes a rapid Democratic change in tack on the government shutdown, suggesting that Democrats orchestrated the shutdown as a political maneuver to boost turnout or polling before the election (34:53).

  • Notable Observation:

    “The purpose of the shutdown was to juice the Dems numbers before the midterms. And perhaps it worked.”

7. Foreign Policy: Christian Persecution and Intervention Debates

• Knowles discusses a Trump statement elevating Christian persecution in Nigeria and advocating U.S. action—possibly military intervention (37:10).

  • Notable Trump Quote Shared:

    “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. ... We stand ready, willing and able to save our great Christian population around the world. — Donald J. Trump”

• Nicki Minaj’s public agreement with Trump is noted as a surprising and praiseworthy moment (38:45).

• Knowles ponders if those wary of “forever wars” might make exceptions for military action in Nigeria or Venezuela, suggesting that motivations based on cultural affinity or geographic proximity can override general anti-interventionist sentiment.

8. Historical Parallels and Philosophical Reflection

• Knowles draws parallels between America’s current situation and the turbulence of the 1970s: leftist mayors, economic malaise, political violence, and distrust.

• Insight on Leadership and Providence (41:52):

  “We’re very grateful when the Lord gives us good political leaders. And we’re grateful when the Lord gives us bad political leaders because he gives us bad political leaders to chastise us. And we’re grateful for that chastisement because we trust in the Lord.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Identity Politics in NYC:

  “There was an old New York. We don’t care about that. We care about Uzbeki taxi drivers and Mexican abuelas and everyone other than New Yorkers.”
  — Michael Knowles (04:50)

• On the Nature of Modern Politics:

  “It is a kind of hyperreal politics ... a politics about politics.”
  — Michael Knowles (16:50)

• On Violent Political Rhetoric:

  “Democrats, huge numbers of Democrats who are normal Democrats want Republicans dead. ... I don’t know how you can pay attention ... and not come to that conclusion.”
  — Michael Knowles (26:46)

• On Generational Trends in the GOP:

  “My generation ... to the right of Franco, apparently. ... Millennials in charge. Millennial patriots are in charge of this country.”
  — Michael Knowles (31:00–32:25)

• On Divine Providence and Bad Leaders:

  “We’re grateful when the Lord gives us bad political leaders because he gives us bad political leaders to chastise us. And we’re grateful for that chastisement because we trust in the Lord.”
  — Michael Knowles (41:52)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 — Overview, Mamdani’s win, setup for election reaction
• 03:30 — Zoran Mamdani’s victory speech (identity politics focus)
• 05:51 — Mamdani quotes Eugene Debs; Knowles' immediate commentary on socialism
• 07:53 — Knowles: "The fact that he’s Muslim is the best thing about this guy ..."
• 12:53 — Hasan Piker’s interview, progressive reaction to Mamdani
• 16:08–18:52 — Rufo’s article and the concept of "hyperreal politics"
• 21:34 — Virginia results; Jay Jones’ incendiary rhetoric and victory
• 26:27 — Knowles’ analysis of GOP response and midterms outlook
• 30:00 — Millennial "America First" dominance in GOP polling
• 34:53 — Democrats’ shift on government shutdown post-election
• 37:10 — Trump’s statement on Christian persecution in Nigeria; foreign policy discussion
• 41:52 — Knowles’ reflection on providence and meaning in political upheaval

Language and Tone

• Tone: Frustrated, polemical, at times sardonic but interspersed with reflection and resigned humor.
• Language: Direct, often combative, utilizing sarcasm and irony, especially when referencing left-wing personalities or analyzing progressive policies.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t listened, this episode channels conservative exasperation at dramatic Democratic victories, focusing on what host Michael Knowles sees as the left’s embrace of divisive identity politics and the right’s struggles to adapt in a political culture increasingly defined by spectacle and symbolism. With sharp critiques, Knowles mixes election breakdowns, cultural commentary, and philosophical reflection—arguing that conservatives must recognize the performance-driven, “hyperreal” nature of modern politics to avoid continuously “spinning their wheels.” The episode is as much a lament as a rallying cry, ending with calls for prudence, faith, and the political assertion of conservative values.