The Zohran Mamdani Interview with Throwing Fits

Summary

Podcast Summary: Throwing Fits - "The Zohran Mamdani Interview"

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Guests: Zoran Mamdani, State Assembly Member and Mayoral Candidate

---

Introduction and Setting

The episode kicks off with Host 1 delivering a vibrant, rhymed introduction, setting a lively and informal tone for the conversation. The hosts introduce Zoran Mamdani with playful lyrics that highlight his political aspirations and grassroots campaign.

Opening Remarks and Personal Insights

[00:37]
Zoran Mamdani is warmly welcomed by the hosts. The conversation begins with light-hearted banter about his attire:

• Host 2: "Just quickly, what suit are you wearing today?"
• Zoran Mamdani: "I am wearing a suit from Suit Supply today."
  [00:44]

Zoran shares insights into his wardrobe choices, emphasizing practicality and personal style:

• Zoran Mamdani: "It's the workhorse, the daily driver. Try and flip up a few of the ties to make it feel like it's a different suit."
  [01:04]

First Debate and Interaction with Andrew Cuomo

The discussion transitions to recent political events, specifically the first debate:

[01:30]
Zoran reflects on his encounter with former Governor Andrew Cuomo:

• Zoran Mamdani: "I went up to him and I was like, you should come around more."
  [02:31]

He criticizes Cuomo's detachment from everyday New Yorkers:

• Zoran Mamdani: "He did it. He's so Westchester that he turns right on red in New York City."
  [02:41]

Cost of Living and Housing Crisis

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the escalating cost of living in New York City:

[03:33]
Zoran outlines the severity of the issue:

• Zoran Mamdani: "One in four New Yorkers are living in poverty. ... close to two and a half million live in rent stabilized housing."
  [03:46]

He proposes a bold solution to alleviate housing stress:

• Zoran Mamdani: "I would freeze the rent for close to 2 1/2 million New Yorkers. That would return close to $7 billion back into the pockets of working and middle class New Yorkers."
  [04:00]

Childcare and Public Transit Initiatives

Expanding on his platform, Zoran addresses childcare and transportation:

[05:25]
On childcare:

• Zoran Mamdani: "The number one reason people are leaving New York City is child care. It costs $25,000 a year for one child."
  [05:26]

He advocates for extending universal pre-K to younger ages:

• Zoran Mamdani: "We want to extend that to children as young as six weeks."
  [05:25]

[05:42]
On public transit:

• Zoran Mamdani: "Making buses free to get on...make them faster, we make them safer, we make them more accessible."
  [05:42]

Critique of Current Leadership and Opponents

Zoran offers a pointed critique of current leaders, particularly Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams:

[14:01]
Regarding Cuomo's social media prowess:

• Zoran Mamdani: "Gotta be Andrew Coleman. There's nobody doing it better than him."
  [14:01]

[15:04]
On Cuomo's handling of scandals:

• Zoran Mamdani: "He has not addressed that. But that's in keeping with not addressing."
  [15:04]

He highlights Cuomo's failures and compares his reluctance to apologize to that of Donald Trump:

• Zoran Mamdani: "He's just as allergic to apology and acknowledgement as Donald Trump."
  [15:34]

Campaign Strategies and Voter Engagement

The conversation shifts to Zoran's campaign strategies, emphasizing grassroots efforts and voter participation:

[08:34]
On encouraging voter turnout:

• Zoran Mamdani: "Organizing around this election turnout. ... we've knocked on more than 750,000 doors."
  [08:35]

[10:41]
Discussing voter concerns and addressing them:

• Zoran Mamdani: "You have to actually have a team that challenges you, one that you also empower."
  [10:53]

He stresses the importance of building a diverse and capable team to support his initiatives.

Progressive Movement and Political Experience

Zoran delves into the dynamics of the progressive movement within the Democratic Party and his stance on political experience:

[20:05]
On the election being a referendum on progressive ideals:

• Zoran Mamdani: "This election is, in some ways a referendum on that."
  [20:16]

[17:03]
Defending his administrative capabilities:

• Zoran Mamdani: "I do have the experience of winning $450 million in debt relief for thousands of working class taxi drivers."
  [17:03]

He positions his experience as grounded in tangible achievements rather than traditional political maneuvering.

Personal Insights and Light-hearted Moments

The hosts and Zoran share several light-hearted moments, revealing personal facets of his character:

[25:24]
On guilty pleasures:

• Zoran Mamdani: "We were watching Temptation Island. Season five."
  [29:21]

[28:34]
Discussing favorite rappers:

• Zoran Mamdani: "He has a few tracks on this last album with Lap Gun, I think is. Which are just incredible."
  [29:09]

These moments humanize Zoran, making him relatable to the audience.

Conclusion and Closing Statements

As the episode wraps up, Zoran delivers a compelling call to action:

[32:40]

• Zoran Mamdani: "If you're here because you want to hear more from Big Sheesh, please go to zahranfornyc.com join this campaign because you're the ones who can actually win it."
  [32:40]

He emphasizes the urgency of the upcoming election and encourages active participation from listeners.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Zoran Mamdani on Rent Freeze:
   "I would freeze the rent for close to 2 1/2 million New Yorkers. That would return close to $7 billion back into the pockets of working and middle class New Yorkers."
   [04:00]

2. On Childcare Costs:
   "It costs $25,000 a year for one child."
   [05:26]

3. Critique of Andrew Cuomo:
   "He has not addressed that. But that's in keeping with not addressing."
   [15:04]

4. Campaign Strategy:
   "We've knocked on more than 750,000 doors."
   [08:35]

5. Call to Action:
   "Join this campaign because you're the ones who can actually win it."
   [32:40]

Key Takeaways

• Housing Affordability: Zoran Mamdani prioritizes freezing rents to alleviate the financial burden on New Yorkers, aiming to return billions to the community.

• Childcare and Transportation: He advocates for universal childcare and free public buses to make the city more accessible and family-friendly.

• Critique of Current Leadership: Zoran is openly critical of leaders like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, highlighting their detachment and mishandling of key issues.

• Grassroots Campaign: His campaign strategy focuses on extensive voter engagement and door-knocking to mobilize support.

• Progressive Vision: Zoran emphasizes the necessity of progressive policies within the Democratic Party to address the city's pressing issues.

• Personal Relatability: Through candid discussions about his personal life and interests, Zoran builds a relatable persona, enhancing his appeal to voters.

---

This episode of Throwing Fits offers an in-depth look into Zoran Mamdani's political ethos, campaign strategies, and vision for New York City. His blend of progressive policies, grassroots mobilization, and authentic personal interactions positions him as a compelling candidate poised to address the city's most pressing challenges.

Transcript

[Host 1]

Throw gang. We're joined by the ballot. Big dog, the king of cardamom. His honor of the tax hike. Not Gen Z. But he's busing. Busing for free. He got bars. That's why AOC is behind him. No treats for you tricks. But he got the kids knocking on doors. He got a PSA from the DSA elect him or the MTA's DOA budgets balanced like a CPA campaign. Cinematic like PTA. Whole city been waiting for like GTA a fly guy. The people like LGA influencing everyone's toon column. District 3, 6 mafia. Whole city infected. We need that Z pack. He's going to grab that ballot box. No Cuomo, your cheese chopped. He's chopped cheese. The mom, Donnie way hot button issues. But the red frozen luxury tax to feed the streets, that's his bodega vendetta. The next mayor of New York City, Zoran Mamdani. Zoran, how the hell are you?

[Zoran Mamdani]

How's it going?

[Host 1]

My Brad?

[Zoran Mamdani]

How are you? They did not do that on Good Day.

[Host 2]

No, they typically don't.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Right? They did not.

[Host 2]

We're so happy to have you. We know you're a busy man and you have limited time. Just quickly, what suit are you wearing today?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Just a little fit chat. I am. I am wearing a suit from Suit Supply today.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Host 1]

That's the go to.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah, that's. Well, I have about. I have what, four or five suits. This. This is one that I got maybe a couple years ago. Serves me well. I wear a little too much.

[Host 1]

It's the workhorse.

[Zoran Mamdani]

It's the workhorse, the daily driver. Try and flip up a few of the ties to make it feel like it's a different suit. And then, you know, I used to wear. I used to wear this gray suit that I got at a fully illegal street fair on 30th Avenue.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

From a woman who. She was just selling two cashmere suits each for 100 bucks. I was like, this is great.

[Host 2]

Yeah. No permit for that suit.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I was like, I don't know why you have them. I don't know why there's brands on them. But I will buy this.

[Host 1]

Yeah, cashmere for sure. For sure. Yeah, for sure. Zoran, the first debate just wrapped up on Thursday. Did you have any bars in the chamber that you didn't get to use?

[Zoran Mamdani]

O. There were a few. You know, I. I wanted to. I wanted to tell. I wanted to tell our dear former governor, Andrew Cuomo.

[Host 2]

Dear.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, this was the first time I'd ever been on stage with him, you know, because I've been running for mayor for seven months.

[Host 1]

Right, right, right. And just moved back to New York.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He's just, you know, he's just fresh back from allegedly and get his ass. And I was going to tell him, you know, we've. We've. All the rest of us, we've been seeing each other as we talk to New Yorkers and. And. And. And talk to them about their needs in this moment and that. I get it, though, because if I was spending $8,000 a month on a luxury apartment, I also would not leave my house that much.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And, yeah. You know, my. My. My hope is to be able to say that to him next time. But at the end, I told him, I went up to him and I was like, you should come around more.

[Host 2]

What was his reaction?

[Zoran Mamdani]

He was like, I don't think so.

[Host 2]

Yeah, I'm good on that.

[Host 1]

He's like, yeah, which. Which one of my six cars should I drive to the next function?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Man of the people.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He's so Westchester that he turns right on red in New York City. He literally did it. He did it. That's not even like a right. He did it. Take it.

[Host 1]

His ass.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

For real. You think he got out of the park that ticket, you know, with a little.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I think. I think he's gonna pay that.

[Host 1]

He was on his way to get a bacon, cheese, and egg sandwich.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Well, look, that's even more haram.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Than having a bacon, egg, and cheese.

[Host 1]

Do you think that he should be disqualified from running for mayor for such bozo. For just exhibiting such bozo behavior?

[Zoran Mamdani]

It is heavy bozo.

[Host 2]

That's rough.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Heavy, heavy bozo.

[Host 2]

It's a bad look just across the board.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He's. Yeah, I think. But I think the other thing is he's not used to having to answer any questions about anything. Right. So the problem with that is that when you have to, you are so unprepared.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That kind of happens like a normal human being.

[Host 1]

Kind of happens when daddy was the governor.

[Host 2]

Yep.

[Host 1]

We're going to get more into Nepo Baby Cuomo, but let's talk first about just the city writ large. We can all admit that the cost of living in New York City is out of control. Yeah. What are just the most obvious things you want to address when you're in office? That you don't leave the crib and immediately lose $30. Ching.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Look, I think it's. It's like you said, it's the most expensive city in the United States of America. Right? Third most expensive city in the world, tied with Zurich. And you can see that in the statistics. One in four New Yorkers are living in poverty. And if that's not you, you still happen to be living in a permanent state of anxiety about whether or not you're going to have enough money. And the, the key thing is that we have to move beyond this understanding of politics where politicians are spectators to a cost of living crisis. Politicians are not spectators, they are participants. And this mayor that we have right now has been putting his thumb on the scale against working class New Yorkers exacerbating that crisis. And you know, a lot of people aren't as familiar, but you know, in a city of eight and a half million people, close to two and a half million live in rent stabilized housing. That whether or not their rent increases and by how much is determined by the mayor of New York through something called the Rent Guidelines Board. So Eric Adams has raised it 9%. He wants to raise it up to 8% more. Andrew Cuomo is running to raise it again. I'm running to freeze the rent. So one of the most clear and direct things that I would do as the next mayor of New York City is freeze the rent for close to 2 1/2 million New Yorkers. That would return close to $7 billion back into the pockets of working and middle class New Yorkers and then back into the local economy that they actually participate in. The other two things that are kind of front of mind is childcare. After housing. The number one reason people are leaving New York City is child care. And it makes sense because it costs $25,000 a year to get childcare for one child at least. I mean, it's, it's more money than it would cost to send your kid to CUNY 18 years later.

[Host 2]

Right, right, right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And we know that we can deliver this kind of thing because the city already delivers universal pre k. We want to extend that to children as young as six weeks. The final thing is, is making buses free. You know, to get on the bus, it costs $2.90. That's out of reach for one in five New Yorkers.

[Host 2]

Wow.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That's the state that we're in right now in this city. And when we make buses for you, make them faster, we make them safer, we make them more accessible. And that's something that I would do as an X men of the city.

[Host 1]

When you take the bus now, do you pay or do you fare evade in protest?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I pay.

[Host 1]

Okay. All right, good.

[Host 2]

Is the child care because you and your Wife are planning on starting a.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Little family, you know, at some point, you know, there was a problem. Yeah, I'm selfish, right?

[Host 2]

Yeah, clearly you're the selfish candidate. Yeah, totally.

[Zoran Mamdani]

No, I think that there's this. There was this rumor of like right wing trolls that I was hiding two kids.

[Host 1]

Like Drake.

[Host 2]

Like Drake.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I wasn't hiding my kids. Right. But I was just like, have you ever met an Indian guy who's hiding his kids? Do you know how much easier my life would be if I had two kids to show my parents that they exist? That they're already grandparents? Yeah. Sadly, there are no kids being hidden.

[Host 2]

Try again, trolls.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Or don't.

[Host 1]

Yeah, well, look, in addition to freezing the rent, you also plan on taxing millionaires to fund the free public transit and free universal child care. That's a great plan and all, but throwing fits minds. We put our brains together and we have an idea. Why don't you hit these motherfuckers with just a 1% tax on matcha and martinis? In six months, we'd have the MTA looking like Tokyo. Come on, it's right there.

[Host 2]

Consider it. You still got some time.

[Host 1]

Just.

[Host 2]

Just no bad ideas.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And brainstorm, bro. Feeling like Dobby right now. Come on.

[Host 1]

Stupid, stupid.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Just a thought, you know, I hear you.

[Host 1]

Because then we'd be doing all our civic duty by just, you know, just martinis and extra dirty.

[Host 2]

Civic duty.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Like, I still prefer our. Our tax plan of. Of raising income taxes for New Yorkers. Top 1% by 2%. Just $20,000. It's a rounding error. If you're making a million dollars a year, which is, you know, what 1% are doing. And ultimately, this is also the kind of thing that makes this a better study for everybody. Because when you look at studies, right. The Fiscal Policy Institute did a study of the top 1% and found that they actually leave the city at a rate 1/4 the rate of any other income category. And when they do, they go to other places called high tax states like New Jersey or California. So it's not the fiscal policy. A lot of times it's about quality of life. And you can feel that. I mean, in this city, when you're underfunding city services, whether we're talking about sanitation or libraries or schools, you are feeling the chipping away at so much of what you love about this city. And when we can actually make those things, not only make them fully funded, but make them excellent.

[Host 2]

Sure.

[Zoran Mamdani]

This becomes a city people want to live in.

[Host 2]

Absolutely.

[Host 1]

Besides voting and registering to vote, how else can young guys specifically make New York City a better place for everyone? Let's. Let's keep it to the, you know, the guys that aren't making a mill here.

[Host 2]

Yeah. That aren't millionaire landlords.

[Host 1]

How can they just, like, what are just some, like, immediate actions they can.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Take to support the campaign.

[Host 1]

Yeah. To make New York City better for everyone.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Well, I would say the most immediate thing is participating in this election.

[Host 2]

Yes.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Organizing around this election turnout. You know, June 24th is the election date, and that is less than three weeks away. I mean, we're. It's the fifth today.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And I bring it up because one of our hopes has been how do we break out of the bubble of New York City politics and get into the world of New York City? Because in the last Merrill primary, Eric Adams won by 7,000 votes, and now he runs a city of eight and.

[Host 2]

A half million people with that heavy thumb you mentioned.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Very heavy thumb on this.

[Host 1]

He has supported hookah, that's for sure. You know, and private and private club influence.

[Host 2]

He loves influence.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And I have. I have had to be very honest with. With the Big Hookah.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That I will not be able to.

[Host 2]

Deliver getting taxed, too.

[Zoran Mamdani]

The way that Eric Adams has.

[Host 1]

The era of Big Shisha is over.

[Host 2]

It's over.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I am Big Shisha, but Big Shisha itself.

[Host 2]

New rap name, just dropped it.

[Host 1]

Is she all right? So votes.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Sorry.

[Host 2]

This is why you're here, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Let's get back to.

[Host 2]

I want to get a beer with this guy.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Let's get the hell. Let's get back to the point here. In the last election, only 26% of Democrats voted. 74% stayed home. And that's indicative of what's happening with local politics across the country. And so what I would say to young guys who are thinking about how to make the city more affordable, not only to vote in this election, but to canvas, you know, to. To actually understand politics is something you do not just kind of participate in once a year. Because the reason that we're. That we're right next to Andrew Cuomo in these polls is because we've built a volunteer team of 30,000 people that have now knocked on more than 750,000 doors squadron. And it's like, you know, when I'm talking to a journalist, they'll be like, your volunteers knocked my door last night. It's like, these people are everywhere. And that's what's so exciting.

[Host 2]

That wasn't targeted.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Not at all.

[Host 1]

And.

[Zoran Mamdani]

But I think that's the beauty of it all is just, like. It's not about me. You know, It's. It's like what Bernie said. It's. It's about us. And it's not just about us in terms of who we're fighting for, but also who's doing the fighting. Right.

[Host 1]

If you do. When you do go out and vote, rank voting, right? Something.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Ranked choice.

[Host 1]

Ranked choice voting. We want you to rank, choice, vote. The following everyday facets of New York City life.

[Zoran Mamdani]

This is where I lose the election.

[Host 2]

Oh, you're gonna be good.

[Host 1]

Rats, roaches, traffic. And when an air conditioner drips on you or it's like, you know that mystery juice.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Rest.

[Host 1]

Roaches. Traffic. Mystery juice.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Okay, we got four.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Okay. Number one, Gotta be mystery juice.

[Host 1]

Yep, absolutely.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Number two, rats. Number three, roaches. Number four, traffic.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Traffic. I lose my. Like, I just. It. I just can't handle it.

[Host 1]

Congestion pricing. Good, good.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Very good. And needs to be paired with even more investments in public transit.

[Host 1]

Right? But Cuomo's pissed because he has to Pay, what, like, $1,000 anytime his fleet of cars comes to the city.

[Host 2]

The motorcade, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

But look. Yeah, it's. Traffic is the one that drives me the most.

[Host 2]

Rats. Surprisingly high.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, I mean, because Roaches. You know, rats. I see them all the time. They're like, we got it. We got to address them.

[Host 1]

There were some on the stage with you last night.

[Host 2]

That's why Eric Adams hates him so much, because he really just hates himself, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, I think. I think that. I think that I've just grown accustomed, sadly, in our city, Stockholm syndrome, to seeing the homies at subway stations. Right? You know, did you ever see that video when it's on the train and there's a guy who's sleeping?

[Host 1]

Yeah, it's. Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Just.

[Host 1]

Oh, God.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. I mean, And. And we. But. But I think that the thing that's so frustrating about rats is that it doesn't require rocket science of how we take on rats.

[Host 2]

Doesn't require czar.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, I mean, look, I'm all in favor of a czar. I also. Mom and Pops Czar. We're actually rolling one out to help small businesses. But it's also just about trash containerization. Right? Like, they will chew through these bags, right? So let's have them in a bin.

[Host 2]

Contain the juice, and you stop the rats.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah, it's.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Or come up with a better slogan.

[Host 1]

Yeah. We mentioned District 36 out in Astoria. If you're elected mayor, would you live in Gracie Mansion? Or does living in a Mansion on the Upper east side. Not really. Vibe with the personal brand.

[Zoran Mamdani]

This is an interesting question. I'm not sure.

[Host 1]

Do you think you'd like it uptown?

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, I've been to Gracie Mansion a couple times.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I've been there. One time was to convince Eric Adams to support free buses and we got him over the line.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

But it's a fascinating place. I. I have no idea. You know, you see like two or three rooms, right?

[Host 2]

What was the vibe of those two or three rooms like?

[Zoran Mamdani]

It feels kind of like a museum.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, it's hard to imagine someone living there.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

It's.

[Host 2]

That's why Eric Adams doesn't. Right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That's why New Jersey is so appealing.

[Host 1]

So you don't think you're.

[Zoran Mamdani]

So.

[Host 1]

It's up in the air. Okay. Stay open ended.

[Host 2]

Who knows?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Whatever. Who knows?

[Host 1]

All right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Hit him with the inshallah. Is that yes.

[Host 1]

Maybe I want to ask you, who do you think is more goated you at social media? Andrew Cuomo bowing down to the corporate overlords or Eric Adams taking selfies with the MAGA coded influencers at zero bond.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Gotta be Andrew Coleman. There's nobody doing it better than him. I mean, think about it. Sixteen billionaires have donated to his super true. Right?

[Host 1]

Like how many in New York?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I don't even know. I mean, he. Two and a half million dollars just got from real estate developers. Yeah. This is a guy who just got a 250k check from another guy who founded the super pack for RFK Jr. Who's on the record thinking the 911 was an inside job. This is the kind of money that's fueling him.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

So I would say he. He is leading the pack. Because look, when you get.

[Host 1]

Bill gives the money. Right?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. He doesn't. He doesn't. It was quite great to hear him say that. Anybody could buy me money.

[Host 2]

Money is money.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Money is fungible.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Yeah, it sure is.

[Host 1]

Do you think that you're like, you know, first and foremost, your primary opponent? Andrew Cuomo has adequately addressed the rumors and allegations that plagued his governorship. I'm of course talking about whether or not he has pierced nipples.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He has not addressed that. But that's in keeping with not addressing. Right. So much of his record. Like this is someone who, who was asked yesterday, do you have anything you'd like to apologize for? Anything you have a regret for? His regret was me. I'm like, habibi, I have nothing to do with you.

[Host 2]

He's a personal problem.

[Zoran Mamdani]

What about cutting Medicaid what about sexually harassing 13 women? What about stealing hundreds of millions of dollars in the mta? There's. For him, there is a plethora of options. No regards. It's like a buffet.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, of. Of different options that he could pick from to say that he was sorry about. And I. He's just. He's. He's just as allergic to apology and acknowledgement as Donald Trump.

[Host 2]

Does everyone deserve a second chance beside him, straight up?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Look, I think everybody deserves a second chance, and that's incumbent upon them, however, to acknowledge what happened with the first chance. You have to actually reckon with that. That, and I think that there are a lot of New Yorkers who actually want to support him, but can't get past the fact that he won't even address this. I mean, I've met families of nursing home victims who told me that the number one thing they want is just an apology because it's. It's hard for people to move on when they have. When they have to deal with being told that what. What, they're still grieving. Didn't actually happen the way I know it did.

[Host 2]

Being gaslit.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. And it just drives somebody. Drives somebody. Lose faith in politics. Understandably.

[Host 1]

So. Do you think he's a nipple ring guy or barbell guy? I think the photos appeared to show barbells.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I think it's gonna wait this question.

[Host 1]

All right. Well, we do. Okay. Maybe this is something you can answer. If not the Cuomo nipple. Nipple gate, nipple ringgate. What do you say to the haters and the losers who would rather point to a lack of administrative experience over embracing the energy that you've garnered and fostered around the outright need for the loftier progressive movement that has energized so many people. You know, 30,000 canvassers.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Look, I think we have to engage with anyone's concerns. And when people speak to me about a concern around experience, what I tell them is it's important that we talk about what kind of experience matters right now, because I don't have the experience of Andrew Cuomo, of kowtowing to these Trump MAGA billionaires. I don't have the experience of playing insider politics and running a campaign that's actually just being orchestrated by consultants. I don't have the experience of trusting the same leaders that gave us Donald Trump and the affordability crisis. I do have the experience of winning $450 million in debt relief for thousands of working class taxi drivers, of building an actual movement in this campaign that is not only inspiring New Yorkers, but actually empowering them to take action. And at the core of those statistics you shared is the team that we built, because you can inspire someone, but if you can't absorb their excitement, then there's nothing for them to do with that feeling. And the only reason we've been able to knock on more than 750,000 doors is because we've hired the people who can build that kind of a program. And I think to anyone who has that concern, you have to take it in good faith and say sincerely that we're going to build a team of the best and the brightest. Because for too long, we've understood leadership as a. As an act where you hire people who are just replicas of yourself, who are the people who are quickest to say yes to anything that you present them with. You need to actually have a team that challenges you, one that you also empower. And that's why, you know, I've been meeting with deputy mayors and commissioners from previous mayoral administrations, because that's the kind of team you have to put together. And I think that's what's also been missing in Andrew Cuomo's campaign.

[Host 1]

Sure.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, everybody who wants to vote for him on the basis of competence. This guy can't even spell the name of his endorsers correctly in a press release.

[Host 2]

Can't order bacon, egg, and cheese.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, he can't eat. He can't write a policy platform for the most important issue in New York City housing without the assistance of Chad. And, and he's someone who couldn't fill out basic paperwork to receive millions of dollars from the campaign finance board. So I think it's, it's, it's a mirage. Which is, which is in many ways how to describe him and his record and, and his reputation.

[Host 2]

That's a fact.

[Host 1]

Yeah. And when it comes to, like, management and administrative experience, do we really need another pencil pushing nerd in office?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I think. I think we need a team. Sub nerds, team of the best and the brightest. And I think, look, we got to have room for everybody, because ultimately, all inclusive, we got to just have a track record. We got to actually deliver on this. And that's that. That's the thing that I'm so excited about, is these aren't just ideas that are urgent. They're necessary. They're actually doable. Right. Like, we can freeze the rent. We know that because the last mayor froze the rent three times. We can make buses fast and free because I want a bus pilot where we saw the exact benefits we can deliver, universal childcare, because we saw universal pre k in the previous administration. Like these are all built on existing precedent. But so often anything for working in middle class people is treated as if it is a bridge too far.

[Host 2]

Radical.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Exactly. But when you want to give Elon Musk $1 billion in tax breaks, it's feasible. It's rat. It's actually the least we could do. And I think that's the double standard that drives so many people nuts.

[Host 1]

My man's got a ketamine habit. He's got to keep going. You know, do you, from where you're sitting, do you think that the progressive branch of the Democratic Party is becoming more Big ten and like, coalescing around, you know, what maybe earlier were thought of as like radical, radical ideals. But are people realizing are not just within reach, but are have to be within reach because they're necessary for us to keep going?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I think that it's possible. I think that this election is, is in some ways a referendum on that. You know, we have a style of politics where you want to throw people away at the slightest disagreement.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And we've also seen in our state of all states, the largest swing towards Trump of any in the country, 11 and a half points in the last general election. And that that swing took place far from the caricatures we'd been told of Trump voters. It was actually in the hearts of immigrant New York City. And I went to Fordham Road in the Bronx, I went to Hillside Avenue in Queens. I asked New Yorkers, who did you vote for and why? Almost all of them were Democrats. Many of them didn't vote. And if they did, they voted for Trump. And ultimately they kept coming back to this question of cost of living. Cost of living. They remembered having more money in their pockets four years ago. And as insincere and ridiculous and horrific as we know him to be for these voters, he was speaking to them in that language of cheaper groceries and a more affordable life eggs, you know, and I think it. And it comes back to that for a lot of people, understandably so. And I asked them, what would it take to bring you back? And they said, a relentless focus on an economic agenda. I said, what would you say to a candidate running on freezing the rent, you know, making buses fast and free, delivering universal child care? They said, I'd vote for him and I'd introduce myself. And I think part of hello, you know, how's it going, by the way? I'm right here.

[Host 2]

I'm relentless.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah, I'm Relentless. I'm even. I'm economic. No, no, no. It's important to say the first. Yeah. Sheesh. How are you so long? But I think it's, it's kind of going back to Mayor Koch who said, if you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. 12 out of 12 see a psychiatrist. And I think that speaks to what this city is. We can't demand purity from each and every person. We just have to ask that you share the same goal of making the city affordable. And that's what allows you to build a coalition that includes so many New Yorkers who felt left behind, whether or not they call themselves progressives. I mean, just the other day, there's, there's a guy who's now become a little bit well known. His name is Yahya Obaid. He's a Yemeni guy in the Bronx who memorably voted for Donald Trump and aoc. And he just announced that he's voting for me.

[Host 2]

Look at that.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And I think endorsement, you know, and I think it's, it's just an example of you can bring people back. The first thing you have to do is open the door for them. And, and part of that is making sure that you are listening much more than you're lecturing. Because too often there's been this finger wagging approach to telling people how they should vote, how they should think, what they should do that is not actually convincing for anyone.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Even let alone that, you know, the, the posture you should have as a person. But just even from a political. Since it is better to actually allow someone to tell you what they're thinking and why and respond to that.

[Host 1]

And this is, this comes from the 20 million dollar study that the Democrats paid for from Deloitte or whatever. Also go on podcasts, I think is one of the things.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

All right, here's a foolproof way. If you answer this question correctly, I guarantee you'll be mayor tomorrow. Forget the primaries, we're already done with.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Here we go.

[Host 1]

If elected mayor, can you guarantee a Knicks championship in your first term?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Ooh, Come on, please.

[Host 2]

We're dying.

[Host 1]

Please.

[Host 2]

My family is dying.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Inshallah. What does that mean? To be decided? Yes.

[Host 1]

You mentioned putting together a good team. Is there place in your administration for Tom Thibodeau?

[Host 2]

He's available.

[Zoran Mamdani]

What do you guys think about him?

[Host 2]

I'm pissed, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You're pissed?

[Host 1]

Sucks.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

But he could, he could. If there's any extra Eric Adams Turkish airline tickets, he could fly to Turkey, you know, get.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Look I'm. I want to be honest, you should ask me if I've sold out when I get a hair transplant. You should. You should ask who paid for it. That's when you know if I'm staying.

[Host 1]

Honest with big Turkish hair. Is that why Eric Adams is going to Turk, Turkey, to get the fucking.

[Zoran Mamdani]

No, no, no.

[Host 1]

It. Was it for real estate development. Yeah, yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Who knows?

[Host 2]

Something illegal.

[Zoran Mamdani]

But.

[Host 1]

But you. You're anti Tibbs getting fired?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I don't know. I'm. I'm anti. I mean, you know, yesterday Michael Blake on the stage was saying something that I've. That I've seen a little bit of. We want to win the whole thing. This is, you know, when you fall short. This is the posture.

[Host 1]

Sounds like a centrist to me, but I.

[Zoran Mamdani]

But I also feel like this is the first time in what, like 25 years.

[Host 2]

Yep.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Of getting to this point. Yep. And I'll be honest, I'm, you know, more of like a bullshit fan. Somebody who. Who goes every now and then. Who enjoys weather. Exactly. A fair weather fan. I almost got a jersey that said fair weather on the back. But. But I think, I think you also give someone another opportunity when they've taken you to a historic point.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

There's rumors that it was player driven, and that's kind of like the team voting, you know, I don't know. So there is that the play. That's what I heard. Potentially.

[Host 1]

There's some reports maybe ownership was listening to the people. You know, maybe they're knocking on doors, not the fans.

[Host 2]

But.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Zoran, if this whole politics thing doesn't work out, would you go back to being a rapper?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I think those days are over.

[Host 1]

Really?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Still got bars though, right?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Come on.

[Host 2]

Some.

[Host 1]

What are some rappers you think would be good mayor?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Rappers who would be good mayor?

[Host 1]

I think. I think our mutual homie Heems.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Be fired Heems. I want to walk out to Soup boys.

[Host 2]

Yeah, that's. That's.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know how. How Adams plays Empire State of Mind. Yeah, that's how I want to.

[Host 2]

The classic Jay Z song that every New Yorker loves.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Who would be a good man? I don't know.

[Host 1]

I mean, I got to tell you, Cameron. Cameron would be fire, not Jim.

[Host 2]

He was the president of Dipset already. Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Elected unanimously.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Diplomatic immunity, I believe. Yeah, yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

New criminal code.

[Host 2]

Wu Tang by committee or like, you.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Know, I mean, also, I represent Queensbridge, largest public housing development in North America. You got Nas, you also got Mob, Deep, True, you know, Shook Ones, AKA Andrew Cuomo.

[Host 1]

Firewall.

[Host 2]

Have you used that one yet?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Not yet. Oh, yeah. First.

[Host 1]

Second. Second debate. Shook one's too.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. O. Back again.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you could use that in your social media. I want to ask you this. Zoran is your filmmaker mother Lowkey disappointed that you're filming all your social content with an iPhone in 16 by 9? Not all. Okay, okay.

[Host 2]

Thanks for clarifying.

[Zoran Mamdani]

She's. She's so funny.

[Host 1]

Did she ever weigh. And she's like, oh, the framing. Come on.

[Zoran Mamdani]

She's like, why aren't you sending me cuts?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I'm like, we got to move quick.

[Host 1]

It's all in the edit.

[Host 2]

Where's my grandchild? And why are you not sending me.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Selects.

[Zoran Mamdani]

She was telling somebody. She was like, his stuff is so good, people ask me if I'm making it. Oh, damn.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Sure, Mom.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Sure.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

And I told him, of course. Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

This is. This is. This is just a campaign about Mississippi Masala.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

We're having a great time, but obviously, you know, you're running around on the subway, on the city bike bus, and hustling between calls, appointments. It's a sprint to the finish line. How do you relax?

[Zoran Mamdani]

How do I. I think music.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Zoran Mamdani]

You know, there's a lot that you lose when you're. When you're running a campaign at this scale. You know, so much of the time that you used to spend, you just don't have it anymore. But music is something you could still have. Like when you're getting ready in the morning, when you're actually on the train there. I mean, I've been. I've been going through a Ray Shremmer phrase.

[Host 2]

Oh, black Beatles in the city.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I'm just listening.

[Host 2]

The Mannequin challenge is back, people.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I've just been listening to. To. This could be swang a lot.

[Host 2]

That's a. Yo, Ray.

[Host 1]

They were early interview subjects of ours, actually.

[Zoran Mamdani]

What?

[Host 1]

Yeah, Slim, Jimmy and Jimmy.

[Host 2]

Yeah, we've completed the loop.

[Host 1]

They smoked so much weed in front of us, we got very high secondhand.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Well, it's not going to happen in the same year.

[Host 2]

No blood guts on this table if you pay for video.

[Host 1]

All right, so race Remer from Tupelo, Mississippi. Mississippi. You know, Masala. See full circle come up over the.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Connecting the dots.

[Host 1]

What about favorite New York rappers? Got anything besides Nas and M Deep, as we already mentioned? And he.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I do love hemes, man. Dude, I. I mean, that was like. That's how I got into politics, really. Was reading an article in Village Voice that Heems endorsed his childhood friend for city council.

[Host 1]

Damn.

[Zoran Mamdani]

So the first time I knocked on doors in New York city was in 2015 for Ali Nudge Me, who's his boy.

[Host 1]

It's incredible.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That's right from growing up. And yeah, I, I love Eames.

[Host 1]

He came on the show and he said that the love and support he got was so inspiring. It moved him to keep making, to go back to making music. So hopefully, you know, it's a toss up, but maybe, maybe you'll be elected marriage. Totally.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He has a few tracks on this last album with Lap Gun, I think is. Which are just incredible.

[Host 1]

So, music, music. Do you have any, like, guilty pleasure, trashy TV that you love to indulge in?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Oh, my God. I mean, we were watching. My wife and I were watching Temptation island.

[Host 1]

Oh.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Season five. We just. We. Yeah, we would watch like 20 minute increments. Have you ever watched the show?

[Host 1]

Is that the one with the robot? That's the light. Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

That goes off when your partner has cheated on you in the other house.

[Host 2]

I'm familiar with the concept, but, you.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Know, the wild thing that I didn't expect is how thoughtful the host is. He's actually like a very good therapist.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And his name is Mark Wahlberg, but he's.

[Host 2]

But he's not Mark Walbrook.

[Zoran Mamdani]

And I'm just like, imagine how tough it is being. I mean, it's a very specific name.

[Host 2]

The fact that you got this far is honestly incredible.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I wonder if I heard being like.

[Host 1]

Ah, yeah, is this guy.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Imagine then you could be like, hosted by.

[Host 2]

Yeah, this is. We need this kind of brain.

[Host 1]

Imagine everyone thinking you just blinded a Vietnamese delivery guy in your 20s. That's crazy, bro.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yo.

[Host 1]

All right.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Those are the facts.

[Host 1]

Watching Temptation Island. Who are your goat New Yorkers? Just like off the top of your head, Just list some goats.

[Host 2]

Matt Rushmore, lga. Yep.

[Host 1]

I mean, a lot of spoke many different languages.

[Zoran Mamdani]

He is an inspiration.

[Host 1]

A fly guy. Get it? Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Come on. His nickname is also Little Flower.

[Host 1]

He was. He was a tiny man.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. And which is also the name of one of my favorite coffee shops in Astoria. 36th Avenue. Check it out. Little Flower. It's an Afghan coffee shop. Incredible. Fearny Donut. Iced Kashmiri chai. Delicious. Yeah. Actually, I'm getting quite hungry just talking.

[Host 2]

About some caffeine, bro.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I don't know. The LGA is an all time. You know, I wish I would have had the chance to meet David Dinkins. He seemed, it just seemed like a.

[Host 2]

Very good old dink.

[Host 1]

A very good, good Yankee fan now. And you're a Mets guy. Right?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah. And. But also the owner of the Mets is probably going to spend a boatload of money to. To stop our campaign support. Keep this money on the team.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Speaking of which, if Juan stto another raise, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Speaking of which. Z, how much money do you make?

[Zoran Mamdani]

$142,000 a year from being a state assembly member. And then I make $1200 on top of that for royalty.

[Host 1]

Oh, on streaming, where should we stream your music title?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Spotify. Yeah. I actually. That's gonna get me like what,0003.

[Host 2]

Your streams are probably up like thousand percent, right?

[Zoran Mamdani]

Yeah, but that doesn't mean much when you're starting, right? 10 streams and you go, I'm one of my top supporters.

[Host 1]

And what do you like to spend your hard earned money on?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I spend too much money on food.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Like eating out.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I love. Yeah. And I think it's. And I always have a bad habit of. Of. Of ordering one thing too many.

[Host 1]

But that's.

[Host 2]

You love life, dude.

[Zoran Mamdani]

I know. But I. My treat. A good friend of mine, she's an assembly member. Her name is Sarahana Shrestha. She's this incredible assembly member from the mid Hudson valley. And she is someone who's just like. She's like, come on. Do you need. Do you need the separate side of one pancake yet? The brunch? And I'm like, you never know.

[Host 2]

Thanks for asking.

[Host 1]

Absolutely.

[Zoran Mamdani]

We gotta break beyond the false choices that are put in front of us.

[Host 1]

You're supporting small businesses.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Right. Okay, last question. Do you have any constructive criticism you'd like to give us real quick floors? Yours?

[Zoran Mamdani]

I'm just like looking up and down. No.

[Host 1]

All right.

[Host 2]

All right, cool. I'll take that.

[Zoran Mamdani]

Doing great.

[Host 1]

Why don't you turn to camera plug? Whatever you want. The floor is yours. Where can the kids follow you? What do we got to know?

[Zoran Mamdani]

What's going on, everyone? If you're here because you want to hear more from Big Sheesh, please go to zahranfornyc.com join this campaign because you're the ones who can actually win it. We got less than three weeks and we are right where we want to be. So come out, knock some doors. Let's send Andrew Coleman back to the suburbs.

[Host 1]

Getting the out of here. Thank you for coming on to the only podcast that matters. Chef, take us out.