The Tara Palmeri Show

Election Aftershock: What Last Night’s Wave Means + a MAGA Civil War?

Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Tara Palmeri
Guest: Mikey Sheryl (Mo News)
Run time: Core content between 00:30–37:06

Overview

In this collaborative post-election episode, Tara Palmeri and Mikey Sheryl dissect the dramatic results from the previous night’s elections, which saw substantial Democratic victories across several key states—dubbed "the blue wave." The discussion delves into consequential wins for Democrats, the challenges facing both parties, and the internal rifts developing within the MAGA movement. The hosts analyze the significance of these results at both a state and national level, address emerging divisions on the American right, and consider the road ahead for American politics.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Breaking Down the "Blue Wave"

Timestamps: 00:30–05:56

• Tara and Mikey highlight Democratic successes in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California.
• New Jersey: Mikey Sheryl’s double-digit win viewed as a powerful result in a formerly competitive state.
  • Tara Palmeri: “To see her win so overwhelmingly…that’s pretty telling. And let’s face it, people in Jersey love Trump. That rally in Wildwood, thousands and thousands of people showed up.” (01:31)
• Virginia: Democrats won by 15 points despite a popular Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “I was like, how do you explain Virginia? …A number of those Democrats, including Jay Jones, outperformed Kamala Harris last year in Virginia.” (03:01)
• Emphasis on turnout: Without a Trump or Biden on the ballot, some voters stayed home.
• Discussion of ground operation weaknesses for Republicans, especially the loss of Elon Musk’s financial support:
  • Tara Palmeri: “This is, it might be a symptom of not having Elon Musk anymore on their team…he spent $250 million. Turning points is not considered the most organized…” (04:47)

2. Affordability & Messaging Over Ideology

Timestamps: 05:56–11:23

• Both major parties faced an electorate focused on the cost of living; economic issues drove voting decisions.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “Cost of living. Sort of the theme of last night…we tend to do this knee jerk [reaction]…guys in charge are not cutting it, so we’re going in the other direction.” (05:56)
• Contrasted Democratic archetypes:
  • “Blue Dog” Democrats (like Mikey Sheryl and Abigail Spanberger)—centrist, national security backgrounds, avoid ‘socialist’ label.
  • Democratic socialists (like Zohran Mamdani)—embrace left identity but center their message on affordability.
• Tara Palmeri: “Who cares what the label is, right? If you’re talking about the right message, people don’t care…they care about their own issues.” (07:51)
• New York mayoral exit polls: 1 in 4 voters identify as Democratic socialist, but many also believe progressive policies are “unrealistic”—yet still voted for aspiration.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “I want someone who speaks my language and someone who is aspirational.” (08:27)

3. Coalition Politics & New York’s Progressive Mayor

Timestamps: 10:36–14:37

• Discussion of how Kathy Hochul, governor of New York, is likely to align with progressive forces for electoral survival.

• Increasing budget for city programs (e.g., free busing, childcare) and the political hurdles of paying for such expansions.

• Tara Palmeri: “Kathy Hochul needs him [Mamdani]. She’s up for reelection…and she needs progressives to come out in New York.” (09:53)

• Political dynamics: De Blasio “walked so Zoran can run,” with both successes and pitfalls as progressive city legislators.

  • Tara Palmeri: “De Blasio also made a lot of the same mistakes that Zoran made in terms of having a fight with the police before he got into office.” (11:06)

4. Tensions Around Israel/Palestine—and New York’s Jewish Community

Timestamps: 14:37–19:23

• Protests outside Mamdani’s party reflected split between pro-Palestinian supporters and pro-Israel demonstrators.
  • Tara Palmeri: “This morning, waking up to swastikas…as I was walking out of the party, there were people chanting like, free Palestine.” (14:37)
• Mikey (who is Jewish) shares the community’s anxiety: “We live our lives on edge. It’s part of the deal as Jews going back several millennia.” (15:44)
• Mamdani condemned anti-Semitism, but doubts remain about his trustworthiness on Jewish safety.
• Policing power: Serious attention to whether NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch will remain, a key signal to Jewish New Yorkers.

5. Governing Challenges for Mamdani and the NYPD

Timestamps: 19:23–22:03

• Mamdani’s victory speech: Activist tone, direct challenge to Trump, lack of olive branch to opposition.
  • Tara Palmeri: “He was very provocative last night in his speech, telling Trump, we're gonna turn it up.” (20:04)
  • Mikey Sheryl: “There was no real olive branch to the 49.9% of New Yorkers who didn’t vote for him.” (20:59)
• An experienced Trump vs. an inexperienced Mamdani: Concerns about starting fights with federal figures.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “You’re starting a fight with Trump. Like, you know, Trump’s got several decades on you.” (21:04)
• Federal-state relations could affect funding and policy for NYC.

6. Nationalizing Local Politics—Trump, Media, and the Midterms

Timestamps: 22:03–24:07

• Trump poised to use Mamdani’s mayoralty as a talking point against Democrats ahead of the midterms.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “He has a real opportunity here with Mamdani…nationalizing the New York situation and a Democratic socialist as mayor will certainly be helpful to Trump.” (22:03)
• New York Post and Fox News predicted to go hard on Mamdani, repeating the de Blasio years.

7. Civil War on the Right—Fuentes, Tucker Carlson, and MAGA’s Future

Timestamps: 24:07–29:42

• GOP infighting post-election: MAGA’s ‘civil war’ triggered by Nick Fuentes, Ben Shapiro’s takedown of Tucker Carlson, and conflicts in Gen Z/millennial conservatism.
  • Mikey Sheryl: “Did you watch the Ben Shapiro, like, 40 minute takedown of Tucker Carlson? ...He called him like an intellectual launderer of the most extreme.” (24:21, 24:44)
• The ‘glue’ of the Republican coalition is increasingly Trump’s personality and fear of losing his base rather than ideological unity.
  • Discussion about MTG (Marjorie Taylor Greene) acting out after feeling snubbed by Trump’s team.
    • Tara Palmeri: “She’s been on a bit of a revenge tour after Trump’s political team told her not to run statewide in Georgia.” (27:44)

8. The New Era: Social Media Stars and the Next Generation

Timestamps: 32:31–34:54

• Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly believes she can win the presidential primary due to her national donor network; speculation of a future MTG vs. AOC race.
  • Tara Palmeri: “She feels like she understands the base better than Trump.” (32:32)
• Rise of social-media-driven celebrity politicians:
  • Mikey Sheryl: “I don’t know what they’re doing in terms of legislation, but they certainly know how to make connections…” (33:00)

9. Polarization, Partisan Loyalty, and Overriding Moral Concerns

Timestamps: 29:42–32:31

• Voters willing to overlook personal issues—such as offensive texts by Jay Jones, newly elected as Virginia Attorney General—if party identity or key issues take precedence.
  • Tara Palmeri: “That shows you, like, how much people hate Republicans right now. It’s crazy.” (30:30)
  • Mikey Sheryl: “We’ve entered this partisan era where it’s like, my party, my color blue, or what do you do for me, is more important than anything else.” (31:26)
  • Tara Palmeri: “…I don’t think that everyone who votes for Trump is a bigot. I think a lot of them just think that he’s going to do a better job…they only care about that.” (31:31)

10. Closing Reflections and California Takeaways

Timestamps: 35:09–36:14

• Final thoughts: California’s impact—redistricting advantages for Democrats, and a “big win for Gavin Newsom.”
  • Mikey Sheryl: “California was the big kahuna. So they can get five blue seats to compete with Texas and North Carolina…” (35:09)
• Events move quickly; by next week, fallout from this election may already be old news.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the New Jersey Upset:
  Tara Palmeri: “To see her win so overwhelmingly...that's pretty telling. And let's face it, people in Jersey love Trump.” (01:31)

• On Political Messaging:
  Tara Palmeri: “Who cares what the label is, right? If you're talking about the right message, people don't care. They care about their own issues.” (07:51)

• On Democratic Socialism in NYC:
  Mikey Sheryl: “I think for people, they're like, I don't care what you call it. Like, I want someone who speaks my language and someone who is aspirational.” (08:27)

• On Jewish Community Concerns:
  Mikey Sheryl: “We live our lives on edge. Okay. It's part of the deal as Jews going back several millennia...you saw Mamdani, like, jump pretty quickly to condemn the swastika. But the question is...do they feel more comfortable in a Mom Dani, New York. And that's the concern I think Jews genuinely have.” (15:44, 18:13)

• On Mamdani’s Victory Speech:
  Mikey Sheryl: “There was no real olive branch to the 49.9% of New Yorkers who didn't vote for him.” (20:59)

• On MAGA’s Civil War:
  Mikey Sheryl: “Ben Shapiro...called [Tucker Carlson] like an intellectual launderer of the most extreme…these fault lines develop around all of this.” (24:44)

• On Social Media Politicians:
  Mikey Sheryl: “In this era...if you can communicate there and, like, rile up a base and...get a bunch of small donors, like, you have a real opportunity. The parties don't mean anything anymore.” (33:00)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Blue Wave Election Analysis: 00:30–05:56
• Labels vs. Messaging/Affordability: 05:56–11:23
• NYC Political Coalitions/Budget/Progressive Mayorship: 10:36–14:37
• Israel/Palestine Tensions & Jewish Community: 14:37–19:23
• Mamdani, Trump, and Civil Service: 19:23–22:03
• MAGA Civil War & Right-Wing Fissures: 24:07–29:42
• MTG's Revenge and Future Primary Dynamics: 27:44–32:31
• Social Media-era Politicians: 33:00–34:54
• Closing Reflections/California: 35:09–36:14

Tone & Style Notes

• Conversational, analytical, at times irreverent but deeply informed.
• Mixes first-hand reporting, inside scoop, and real-time reaction.
• Pull-no-punches insight into both Democratic and Republican strategy, as well as political “vibes.”

This summary captures the core discussions of Tara Palmeri's post-election special, providing key takeaways for anyone interested in understanding the 2025 electoral landscape and the undercurrents shaping America’s political direction.