The Stephen A. Smith Show — Episode Summary

Date: October 30, 2025
Episode: ANDREW CUOMO AND ZOHRAN MAMDANI ON THE NYC MAYOR’S RACE, AND DELAWARE GOVERNOR MATT MEYER ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Host: Stephen A. Smith (SiriusXM POTUS channel 124)

Overview of the Episode

This episode of "Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith" dives into two of the nation’s most hot-button political issues: the upcoming New York City mayoral race — featuring interviews with candidates Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani — and the ongoing federal government shutdown, explored in conversation with Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. Stephen A. provides a platform for pointed debate, challenges conventional party lines, and underscores his personal concerns about the state of American politics, affordability, and governance.

NYC Mayoral Race: Andrew Cuomo vs. Zoran Mamdani

Setting the Stage (00:45–06:21)

• Stephen A. frames the mayoral race as a referendum on the direction of the Democratic Party and the future ideology of New York City.
• Key Figures:
  • Andrew Cuomo: Former NY Governor, running as an Independent with moderate Democratic values.
  • Zoran Mamdani: Democratic Socialist nominee, leading in the polls.
  • Curtis Sliwa: Republican candidate, polling at around 9%, described as a spoiler.
  • Eric Adams: Outgoing NYC Mayor, endorsing Cuomo.
• Smith repeatedly invites Mamdani to appear for equal airtime, noting he’s been unresponsive until now.

Interview with Andrew Cuomo

Segment: 06:21–46:25

Key Discussion Points

• Polls & Electability

  • Cuomo claims the race is closer than polls suggest, asserting New Yorkers are turning against Mamdani’s policies.
  • “I think it is much, much closer than the polls say. I feel it on the street.” (Andrew Cuomo, 07:03)

• Critique of Mamdani

  • Portrays Mamdani as unqualified, out of touch, and radical: “He is not a New Yorker. He is not qualified to be mayor. He doesn’t stand for what they stand for: decriminalize prostitution, defund the police.” (07:23)
  • Argues Mamdani’s campaign relies on social media “slogans” and style over substance.
  • Doubts feasibility of Mamdani’s policies: freezing rent, free buses, universal childcare — calling them “all garbage,” “not under control of the mayor,” or “not doable.” (11:28; 33:30)

• Public Safety & Police Funding

  • Cuomo pledges to “raise the police department by 5,000” officers, denounces calls to defund or dismantle the NYPD.

• Cuomo’s Reflection on His Primary Loss

  • Admits he underestimated Mamdani’s appeal on social media and didn’t attack him hard enough in the primary: “I didn’t take him seriously. My bad. He wins. All right. Now we’re in the general and now I’m taking it to him.” (11:28)

• Past Allegations and Electability

  • Cuomo addresses sexual harassment allegations: claims full exoneration; case dismissed by multiple prosecutors.
  • “No there, there. Which is exactly what I said four years before.” (Andrew Cuomo, 14:13)

• State of the Democratic Party

  • Frames internal strife as a “civil war” between the far left and moderates. Equates the Democratic Socialist wing to “the death of the Democratic Party.” (16:48)
  • Criticizes prominent Democrats (Hochul, Jeffries, Schumer) for backing Mamdani out of political expediency and fear of the far left.

• Republican Spoiler Effect

  • Calls out Curtis Sliwa for playing spoiler, preventing a clear two-person race. “You vote for Sliwa, you throw your vote away… I am a moderate Democrat, right?” (20:41)

• On Trump’s Role

  • Refutes Mamdani’s claim that Cuomo is a Trump “puppet”: “Trump and I had many battle royales… But if you’re going to take it to the city or you’re adverse to New York, then we’re going toe to toe.” (18:24)
  • Warns that a Mamdani victory would give Trump an excuse to “take over New York City” by deploying federal power. “He will… He has said that he will effectively take over New York City to protect the good people of New York.” (23:31)
  • “I would never give him that opening.” (40:37)

• Antisemitism and Community Relations

  • Cuomo touts his pro-Israel stance, accuses Mamdani of fanning “the flames of antisemitism,” refusing to distance from extremist statements and personalities. (26:49)

• Affordability and Business Climate

  • Believes Mamdani’s agenda would “raise taxes on corporations… you’d see more wealth leave,” potentially “kill New York City.” (33:30; 37:08)
  • Raises his own minimum wage accomplishments, warns against “unrealistic” promises like a $30 minimum wage. (39:17)

• Party Identity

  • Asserts, “Make no mistake, he [Mamdani] is a socialist. And make no mistake, I am the real deal Democrat.” (36:20)

• Stephen A. Smith’s Reflections

  • Smith expresses skepticism about socialism’s viability in the U.S., sympathizes with Cuomo’s critiques, and voices concern about the Democratic Party’s current direction. (47:09–50:45)

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith: “I am very, very reluctant and hesitant to imagine that socialism in the United States of America is something that is going to work.” (01:40)
• Andrew Cuomo: “A mayor is a real job… There’s no on-the-job training when you’re a mayor and mayor should not be your first job.” (12:26)
• Andrew Cuomo: “I'm afraid for New York City. I believe Mamdani can kill New York City, can kill New York City.” (37:08)
• Andrew Cuomo (on his father’s advice): "It’s not about you. You have to win this for the city. You have to win this for the Democratic Party. Punch until the bell sounds." (45:22)

Interview with Delaware Governor Matt Meyer: The Government Shutdown

Segment: 51:39–68:04

Key Discussion Points

• Delaware SNAP Emergency

  • Delaware declares a state of emergency as federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits are set to expire.
  • “$21.6 million a month in Delaware alone… we're going to make sure 120,000 Delawareans who rely on this program have food to eat.” (Governor Meyer, 52:34)

• Federal Government Dysfunction

  • Meyer emphasizes that for struggling residents, blame is secondary to real needs: “It doesn’t matter whose fault you think it is. If you’re looking to eat this weekend… what, who cares?” (53:40)

• Crisis and Political Standoff

  • Frames the shutdown as Republicans pushing to double healthcare premiums for working Americans; Democrats refusing to support such measures.
  • “Democrats are standing up and saying we’re not going to support any budget that does that, which I think is the right position.” (Governor Meyer, 54:54)

• Broad Message

  • Americans want solutions and bipartisanship, not self-serving political games. “A lot of people… they're not Democrats or Republicans. They just want this country to work. They just want food on the table.” (57:19)

• Legal and Structural Analysis

  • Lawsuits by multiple states are challenging the legality of withholding $5 billion in funds for SNAP distribution. (58:27)

• Reflections on National Politics

  • Meyer highlights frustration and cynicism towards Congress: “How are you getting paid when federal workers literally are not getting paid, but they have to show up to work?” (Stephen A. Smith, 89:56)

Notable Quotes:

• Governor Meyer: "There's an America greater than our party… We need policies that bring them [rural communities] into the fold, not just policies that appeal to our base." (66:40)
• Stephen A. Smith: “We're the richest country in the world having over 42 million people on food stamps and how they're not going to be able to feed themselves? Is that a look that this country wants associated with it?” (88:16)

Zoran Mamdani Calls In: Responds to Cuomo and Outline of His Platform

Segment: 91:01–99:43

Key Discussion Points

• Platform Priorities

  • "I am running with a clear plan to tackle the issue that New Yorkers are most concerned about — cost of living. A plan that will freeze the rent for more than 2 million rent-stabilized tenants, make the slowest buses in the country fast and free, and deliver universal childcare." (91:31)
  • Explains mechanisms for rent freeze (via Rent Guidelines Board), free buses (using legislative and mayoral influence), and universal childcare (via partnership with Albany).

• On Qualifications

  • Rejects Cuomo’s claim of inexperience: “What we heard from Andrew Cuomo was not leadership, it was him spending 20 minutes talking about me because he has no vision left to actually offer New Yorkers.” (91:31)
  • Counters accusations of being a “socialist running as a Democrat”: “If he wanted to be the Democratic nominee for mayor, he should have won the Democratic primary. Instead… he is the candidate for Trump backing billionaires who are trying to dictate to both parties.” (93:11)

• Public Safety

  • Argues NYPD has "the right amount" of officers; resources should be better allocated, especially toward addressing mental health and homelessness.
  • Advocates for a new Department of Community Safety to “allow officers to focus on serious crimes” and deploy mental health workers for crisis response. (95:50)

• Community and Social Cohesion

  • Emphasizes his intent to govern for all, especially the Jewish community: “My job is not just to protect Jewish New Yorkers, it's not just to root out antisemitism… it's also to actually celebrate and cherish those New Yorkers.” (98:13)
  • Accuses Cuomo of a divisive closing message: “What they're finding is a closing message from Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Lewa is that of division.” (99:16)

• Media and Representation

  • Commits to a future in-person appearance, stressing the importance of a public debate on ideas.

Notable Quotes:

• Zoran Mamdani: "Safety is the prerequisite for an affordability agenda." (95:50)
• Zoran Mamdani: “If you want to actually build something, you have to stop just telling people it can't be done, and you have to fight to deliver it for working people.” (paraphrased from recurring themes through 93:01–95:17)

Call-In and Listener Segment Highlights

Segments: 68:25–91:01; 85:46–99:43

• Public Frustration: Callers echo Stephen A.’s concerns about reliance on government programs, corporate exploitation (e.g., Walmart’s business model and SNAP), and the government shutdown’s immediate impact.
• Smith’s Commentary: He lambasts both parties for putting politics above people, particularly as politicians get paid while the public suffers (notably federal workers and SNAP recipients).

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Cuomo and Mamdani Exchange Barbs: Both candidates take direct shots at each other in absentia, with sharp character assessments and philosophical disagreements.
• Smith’s Independence and Outrage: Throughout, Stephen A. oscillates between passionate critique, direct challenge to guests, and empathetic understanding of America’s working class.
  • "Somebody gotta say it… Y’all done pissed me off and fired me up. I’m not going anywhere for a long time to come. This is the kind of stuff that I’m here for." (50:33)
• Notable Humor and Humanity: Mamdani apologizes for coming on late, jokes about seeing Smith at The View, mixes earnestness with candor.
  • “Whenever you need a fact check like we just did, just give me a call.” (99:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NYC Mayoral Race Overview: 00:45–06:21
• Andrew Cuomo Interview: 06:21–46:25
• Stephen A., reaction & commentary: 47:09–51:39
• Governor Matt Meyer on Shutdown/SNAP: 51:39–68:04
• Listener call-ins/discussion: 68:25–91:01; 85:46–99:43
• Zoran Mamdani Calls In: 91:01–99:43

Conclusion: Episode Takeaways

• The NYC mayoral race crystalizes a broader Democratic Party identity crisis, with Cuomo and Mamdani representing clashing political futures.
• Governor Meyer’s pragmatic, nonpartisan approach to the SNAP crisis stands in sharp contrast to Washington’s gridlock.
• Stephen A. delivers energetic, no-holds-barred commentary, centers affordability and safety as the core political issues of 2025, and demands accountability — from both politicians and listeners.
• Both Cuomo and Mamdani present deeply different visions, with the city’s future, and perhaps the nation’s, hanging in the balance.

Notable Quotes Index

• Andrew Cuomo (on party’s direction): "This socialist wing wins, the Democratic party dies, in my opinion." (16:48)
• Zoran Mamdani (on Cuomo’s campaign): "If he wanted to be the Democratic nominee for mayor, he should have won the Democratic primary." (93:11)
• Governor Meyer (on food assistance): "We are in a wealthy country. There’s no reason for anyone to starve." (56:19)
• Stephen A. Smith (on bipartisanship): “All I want is a fair exchange of competing ideas from the left and the right with the American citizens in a position to say, this is what works for us and this is what doesn’t.” (78:23)

This episode provides an essential, multifaceted look at the stakes of 2025’s politics — for New Yorkers, but also for the national conversation on governance, affordability, and party identity.