The Rubin Report – Episode Summary

Episode: Crowd Roars for Cuomo’s Blistering Attack on Zohran Mamdani
Host: Dave Rubin
Date: October 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, recorded from Australia, centers on the heated New York City mayoral race—especially the latest debate where former Governor Andrew Cuomo fiercely attacked candidate Zohran Mamdani. Dave Rubin explores Cuomo's renewed energy, critiques of Mamdani's platform and track record, the urgent state of New York politics, and broader themes of law, order, and American decline versus renewal. The episode also touches on stories from Florida, the NBA gambling scandal, immigration policies in California, and the Trump administration’s tough approach to drug trafficking.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Rubin in Australia

• Dave reports on his Australian tour, upcoming shows, and a debate with BBC’s Andrew Neil about old vs. new media (02:30).
• He expresses concern over the direction of US cities and frames the NYC mayoral election as pivotal for America’s future:
  • “...what seems like a slow moving truck about to crash, a slow moving jihadi truck about to crash into New York City, unless a miracle happens.” (03:31)

2. The Mayoral Debate: Cuomo’s Blistering Attack on Mamdani

• Cuomo, often absent in prior debates, “finally had a nice moment” with a direct attack on Mamdani’s lack of qualifications (05:58).
• Key Cuomo quote:

  “You have never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything. There’s no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for eight and a half million lives. ...You missed 80% of the votes. Shame on you.” (06:18)

• Rubin’s reaction:
  • “Welcome to the party, pal. Thank you. Where have you been?” (07:01)
  • He says Cuomo “finally got there,” voicing concerns that New York is “about to become a communist shithole.” (07:50)
• Mamdani’s perceived appeal is described as mostly image-driven:
  • “Other than being a Nepo baby, who’s got the soft lens and the lo-fi music... what has he done?” (08:29)

3. Policing, Mental Health, and Public Safety

• Rubin addresses Mamdani’s proposal to send mental health professionals instead of police if 911 dispatchers detect no violence (11:20).
• Palladino’s critique (quoted by Rubin):

  “Tasking 911 with determining the level of violence a caller is experiencing and possibly not sending police based on that snap judgment is completely unhinged and will get people killed...” (12:50)

• Rubin agrees, arguing this puts “awful” pressure on dispatchers:
  • “[The dispatcher] has to then make a quick snap judgment and then you’re gonna have to freaking pray whether it is some community organizer ... or if it’s actually a police officer who you can help.” (14:05)

4. Antisemitism and Safety in NYC

• Cuomo positions himself as the candidate who would act seriously on antisemitism:

  “I will be the mayor who doesn’t just protect Jewish New Yorkers, but also celebrates and cherishes them. ...delivers on the implementation of the Hidden Voices curriculum so that children in this city learn about the beauty and the breadth of the Jewish experience.” (15:05)

• Rubin’s rebuttal points out Mamdani’s refusal to denounce “Globalize the Intifada”:
  • “...that means kill Jews everywhere. ...If you’re a Jew and you vote for this guy, you’re a fucking moron.” (17:20)

5. Ranked Choice Voting & The Importance of Sliwa Dropping Out

• Discussion of NYC’s ranked choice system and Mamdani’s strategy in favoring Sliwa as second choice (19:50).
• Polling breakdown: If Sliwa drops out, Cuomo gets much closer in head-to-head polling versus Mamdani.
• Bill Ackman's claim (shared by Rubin) that Sliwa stays in for personal and financial reasons:

  “Sliwa’s wife, friends and others are on the campaign payroll and he and they are enjoying living off the city taxpayers...” (22:13)

• Rubin’s take:
  • “We must stop the communist jihadist. ...Sliwa, you really need to think about this.” (23:40)

6. Florida as Counterpoint: Decline Is a Choice

• Rubin highlights Florida—and specifically Gov. Ron DeSantis—as a success story:

  “We are law-and-order state. We’re Number one in education. We’re number one in safety, we’re number one in incoming new voters, new constituents. ...now also, you will have to stop paying a penalty, a tax just for owning your home, your personal home.” (24:30)

• Rubin frames the US as at a crossroads:
  • “America is going in two different ways, two different directions. Capitalism and freedom, communism and control. And you gotta decide which one you wanna be part of.” (27:00)

7. NBA Gambling Scandal & Organized Crime

• Breaking story: FBI takedowns over illegal sports gambling and point-shaving involving NBA players like Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones, and Terry Rozier (28:45).
• NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch details Rozier’s role in “stat shaving” for betting profits (29:25).
• Rubin’s commentary shows disbelief at the players’ short-sightedness and segues into classic NBA nostalgia.

8. Immigration, Law Enforcement, and California Scandal

• Story of an illegal immigrant truck driver’s deadly crash in California, enabled by loose licensing and lack of federal-state cooperation (32:10).
• Quote from law enforcement on dangers of undermining ICE:

  “I hate saying this, but... it’s a matter of time before an ICE agent’s been ambushed and killed. Because we’re letting people know where enforcement activities are occurring...” (36:22)

9. Trump Administration’s War on Narco Terrorists

• Reports on aggressive military actions: Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordering strikes on narco-terrorist boats (40:02).
• Government statement:

  “These are not simply drug runners. ...They are narco terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities.” (41:15)

• Cory Booker’s opposition: he voices concern over lack of oversight and extrajudicial force:

  “We are constantly not doing our job, which is not a partisan one. It is to hold this president in check that no one operates without accountability and without transparency because power is corrupting.” (43:20)

• Rubin’s close: the Trump team is handling things with “common sense,” in contrast with critics.

10. Closing: Culture and the Choice Facing America

• Rubin notes Time magazine’s cover depicting Trump as “badass,” suggesting a cultural shift acknowledging improvements at home despite mainstream opposition (46:10).
• Final call to action:

  “If you are in New York City, tell your friends, do not vote for [Mamdani]. Vote for Cuomo. Suck it up. So what? He killed your grandma. Get over it.” (47:03)

Notable Quotes With Timestamps

• Cuomo’s Debate Attack:

  “You have never had a job. You’ve never accomplished anything. There’s no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for eight and a half million lives. …Shame on you.” — Andrew Cuomo (06:18)

• Rubin’s Framing of the Stakes:

  “...the greatest city in the history of the world is about become a communist shithole.” — Dave Rubin (07:46)

• Vicki Palladino on 911 Policy:

  “Tasking 911 with determining the level of violence a caller is experiencing and possibly not sending police based on that snap judgment is completely unhinged and will get people killed.” (12:50)

• On Antisemitism:

  “You won’t denounce globalize the Intifada, which means kill Jews.” — Andrew Cuomo (16:45)
  “If you’re a Jew and you vote for this guy, you’re a fucking moron.” — Dave Rubin (17:25)

• Bill Ackman on Sliwa:

  “Sliwa’s wife, friends and others are on the campaign payroll and he and they are enjoying living off the city taxpayers...” (22:13)

• On Florida’s Direction:

  “We are law-and-order state. We’re Number one in education... now also, you will have to stop paying a penalty, a tax just for owning your home.” — Dave Rubin (24:30)

• NYPD’s Jessica Tisch on Rozier:

  “Members of the group placed more than $200,000 in wagers... Rozier exited the game after just nine minutes and those bets paid out, generating tens of thousands of dollars in profit.” (29:25)

• On ICE and Law Enforcement:

  “I hate saying this, but... it’s a matter of time before an ICE agent’s been ambushed and killed...” — Tom Homan (36:22)

• Trump Admin on Narco-Terrorists:

  “These are not simply drug runners... They are narco terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities.” — Department of War Statement (41:15)

• Cory Booker’s Critique:

  “We are constantly not doing our job, which is not a partisan one. It is to hold this president in check that no one operates without accountability and without transparency because power is corrupting.” — Cory Booker (43:20)

• Rubin on Voting in NYC:

  “If you are in New York City, tell your friends, do not vote for [Mamdani]. Vote for Cuomo. Suck it up. So what? He killed your grandma. Get over it. Vote for... That should have been his motto.” — Dave Rubin (47:03)

Important Timestamps

• [03:31] – Overview of US political climate, stakes of the NYC election
• [06:18] – Cuomo’s attack on Mamdani
• [11:20] – Mamdani’s 911/mental health plan, criticism from Palladino
• [15:05] – Cuomo on protecting Jewish New Yorkers
• [17:20] – Rubin on antisemitism and Jewish voters
• [19:50] – Discussion of ranked-choice voting, Sliwa, and Ackman allegations
• [24:30] – Florida policies as model of success
• [28:45] – NBA gambling scandal details
• [32:10] – Immigration, ICE, and the deadly crash in California
• [36:22] – Law enforcement dangers articulated by Tom Homan
• [40:02] – Narco-terrorist boats blown up by US, Trump admin actions
• [43:20] – Cory Booker criticizes Trump’s actions
• [46:10] – Time cover, cultural observations, and closing thoughts
• [47:03] – Final appeal to NYC voters

Tone & Language

Rubin’s tone is energetic, candid, often sarcastic, and combative against progressivism and political correctness—consistent with his branding as a free-speech advocate. The episode mixes hard news with commentary, humor, and direct appeals, especially urging New Yorkers to “suck it up” for Cuomo to stop what he calls “communist-jihadist” politics.

Memorable Moments

• Cuomo’s “shame on you” speech going viral, welcomed by a crowd “roar.”
• Rubin’s exasperation over NYC policies and highly charged statement to Jewish voters.
• The eyebrow-raising poll and Bill Ackman’s claims about Sliwa benefitting financially by staying in the race.
• Breaking details of the NBA gambling scandal and the incredulous reactions.
• The tough, militaristic border and drug policy moves by the Trump administration, and Rubio’s and Hegseth’s new leadership roles.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode sharply encapsulates Rubin’s narrative of American crossroads: portraying New York’s election as a battle between “capitalism and freedom” and “communism and control.” Cuomo’s renewed fighting spirit, Mamdani’s platform, and the need for pragmatic coalition-building on the right dominate early discussion. Broader stories from Florida, the NBA, and the border reinforce the episode’s themes of order versus chaos and the need for tough, common-sense leadership. The language is fiery and sometimes profane, matching the gravity Rubin assigns to these moments in American political life.