The Michael Knowles Show – Ep. 1851

"Zohran Mamdani Stole This Group From Us"

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles reflects on the fallout of recent conservative electoral losses, investigates key lessons for the Republican Party, and explores cultural and political shifts shaping American society. Topics include Hollywood’s retreat from political activism, American cultural identity, the rise of “downwardly mobile professionals,” how the left appeals to overlooked demographics, and analysis of leftist political victories like Zohran Mamdani’s in New York. Knowles also discusses the evolving role of the filibuster and changing relationship norms among young women.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Conservative Reaction to Election Losses

Timestamp: 00:00–02:50

• Conservatives are “still reeling” from recent election defeats; Knowles promises to break down the results and key voter trends.
• He immediately injects a “silver lining”: some Hollywood celebrities are promising to step back from political commentary.

2. Hollywood Leaving the Political Stage

Timestamp: 02:53–06:40

• Jennifer Lawrence admits the futility of celebrity political activism:

  “Celebrities do not make a difference whatsoever on who people vote for. So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s gonna just add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart.” – Jennifer Lawrence [03:35]

• Knowles praises this self-awareness and argues that the rise of specialized political influencers has sidelined traditional celebrity activists.
• He relates this to broader specialization in society, comparing the change in academia and corporate America to what’s happening in entertainment and politics.
• Key Point: Today, "political influencer" is a distinct role, crowding out the old model of the politically outspoken Hollywood star.

3. The “America Has No Culture” Claim

Timestamp: 06:41–17:40

• Knowles discusses statements made by Rachel Welch and others at a leftist victory rally, particularly the claim that “Americans have no culture except for multiculturalism.”
  • He notes this viewpoint is “very widespread” on the left.
• Quote:

  “Of all the crazy, insane things this woman's ever said, this one is very widespread. It's very mainstream. America has no culture.” – Michael Knowles [08:49]

• Knowles counters with examples of American cultural achievements (e.g., Broadway, jazz, baseball) and criticizes the view as “oikophobia” (hatred of one’s home).
• He frames the modern left as defined by "self-hatred," contrasting it with traditional patriotism.
• Points out: the left’s vision is “purely negative,” trying to “erase and replace any vestige of what would be American culture.”
• Key Insight:
  • Affirming and loving one’s home and community is presented as a necessary, positive response to leftist self-critique.
  • Cites J.D. Vance’s “order of loves” concept as a roadmap for constructive conservatism.

4. Existential Political Threats & Demographics

Timestamp: 17:41–21:45

• Knowles sees increasing “existential threats” to American community from the left’s policies and rhetoric, especially after the murder of a right-wing debater (referenced obliquely as “Charlie”).
• He emphasizes that Republicans are neglecting a major demographic group that Democrats are successfully courting.

5. Zohran Mamdani: Symbol of a New Left Coalition

Timestamp: 21:46–33:20

• Zohran Mamdani, a “Muslim communist” elected mayor of New York, is dissected as emblematic of leftist ambitions.
• Highlights a chilling line from Mamdani’s speech:

  “We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small for it to care about.” – Zohran Mamdani (paraphrased by Knowles) [23:50]

• Knowles finds the promise that “there is no concern too small for the government to care about” alarming, viewing it as a gateway to totalitarian intrusion into private life.
• Explains his own position: he advocates for appropriate government boundaries, not “small government” as a dogma.
  • Supports localism and subsidiarity — and controversially, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) — as mechanisms for enforcing community values without overreach.

6. The Downwardly Mobile Professional Class

Timestamp: 33:21–42:45

• Cites John Carney’s analysis (“Zohran’s Park Slope Populists”): Mamdani’s supporters are not working class, but are “overproduced graduates” and “downwardly mobile professionals.”
• Quote:

  “They belong to a group that has become increasingly central to American politics, the downwardly mobile professionals, the overproduced graduates of our university system, raised to expect middle class stability and discovering instead that the system has little to offer beyond high rent and burnout. Their rage is real.” – John Carney, paraphrased by Knowles [35:13]

• Knowles urges conservatives to stop mocking these voters and instead understand and address their grievances.
• Key Insight:
  • Republicans must speak to the anxieties of this “middle class professional” demographic or risk losing the future coalition needed for majorities.

7. Young Women & Relationship Norms: “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?”

Timestamp: 42:46–51:10

• Viral Vogue article examined: Women are increasingly reluctant to share about boyfriends online, opting for soft-launches and obscure posts.
• Knows’s take: This is not just narcissism but a tactical adaptation:

  “Boyfriends are temporary and social media is forever. That’s why.” – Michael Knowles [46:29]

• Praises young women for not posting transitory relationships, arguing it’s wise not to memorialize what is likely fleeting.
• Echoes a broader theme: The modern world dangerously makes fleeting things permanent; people should show more prudence with their personal histories online.

8. The Filibuster Debate

Timestamp: 51:11–59:35

• Discusses President Trump’s proposal to eliminate (“nuke”) the Senate filibuster to allow a simple majority to govern.
• Knowles shifts his historic position, now supporting the move:

  “There was a time when I would have said Republicans should not nuke the filibuster. That time has passed. That time has passed because when the Democrats get back into power, they will nuke it.” – Michael Knowles [56:45]

• Argues that political timing and prudence, not adherence to unchanging dogma, should guide strategic decisions.
  • Conservatives risk “dying fighting the last political war” if they fail to adapt.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Celebrity Politics:

  “She [Jennifer Lawrence] lost her politics job. So did all of Hollywood. It's a good thing. Very, very good thing.” [06:40]

• On Oikophobia and Patriotism:

  “They hate their home. That is, I think, the defining feature of the left in America today, if not always.” [13:05]

• On Middle Class Anger:

  “That demographic is going to become more angry, not less angry. Especially as AI begins to change the labor market, as mass migration continues to change the labor market … Republicans need to speak to them…” [40:21]

• On Filibuster Timing:

  “Principled conservatives who have long rightly defended the filibuster I think should recognize what time it is. Recognize that time is gone.” [57:41]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Election losses, overview, and Hollywood news
• 02:53 – Jennifer Lawrence on celebrity politics
• 06:41 – “America has no culture” and leftist identity
• 17:41 – Self-hatred on the left and love of home
• 21:46 – Zohran Mamdani’s ideology and rise
• 33:21 – Analysis of Mamdani’s supporters
• 40:21 – “Downwardly mobile professionals” and the right’s communication failure
• 42:46 – TikTok/Vogue conversation: Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?
• 51:11 – Trump, the filibuster, and the new political era

Summary Flow

With characteristic sharpness and skepticism, Knowles moves swiftly between culture war analysis, practical political strategy, and sly social commentary. He balances mockery of leftist rhetoric (“America has no culture”) with direct engagement on neglected political demographics and the strategies needed for conservatives to adapt.

He applauds the growing irrelevance of Hollywood in political debate, critiques the left’s erasure of American cultural pride, and zeros in on the newly powerful bloc of frustrated, indebted, not-quite-elite professionals.

Throughout, the episode retains Michael Knowles’ sardonic, hyper-literate tone, weaving cultural critique with pragmatic advice for the conservative movement.

For listeners seeking actionable insight:

• Republicans must stop ignoring the indignant, precarious educated middle class.
• Cultural confidence, not mere reaction, is the antidote to leftward self-loathing.
• “Specialization” has changed both media influence and voter identity—strategies must adapt.
• The political rules (e.g., the filibuster) are less sacred than knowing when—and how—to change them.

“We can either die politically fighting the last political war, as a lot of conservatives are inclined to do … or we can win. I say we win.” – Michael Knowles [59:12]