Hour 2 - Sorry, New York 

Hour 2 zeroes in on the New York City mayoral race, which the hosts argue is the most consequential upcoming election. Clay and Buck dissect the explosive controversy surrounding front-runner Zohran Mamdani, who was recently photographed campaigning alongside an Imam linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and pro-jihad rhetoric. President Donald Trump weighed in, calling the association “a shame” and questioning Mamdani’s judgment. The hosts debate whether this scandal will impact the race and highlight that major Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have withheld endorsements, signaling deep party discomfort.

Clay and Buck predict that Mamdani will likely win, citing gambling markets giving him a 93% chance of victory, compared to Cuomo’s slim odds and Curtis Sliwa’s near-zero chances. They argue that Mamdani’s radical proposals—such as city-run grocery stores and free public transit—are unrealistic and doomed to fail but warn that his charisma could make him a dangerous figure for Democrats nationally. The conversation explores whether Mamdani will moderate his agenda early on to avoid backlash before ramping up progressive policies later in his term.

The hour also examines Democratic Party strategy and 2026 midterms, suggesting that figures like AOC and Gavin Newsom may secretly prefer chaos under far-left leadership to position themselves as saviors in 2028. Clay and Buck stress that Democrats need star power and name recognition to win nationally, dismissing moderates like Andy Beshear as too bland for the modern political landscape.

Listeners call in to vent frustrations about New York politics, with some advocating for Curtis Sliwa to stay in the race and others arguing Republicans should let NYC “sink beneath the waves of communism.” Callers share real-world anecdotes about crime, fare evasion, and mass migration from NYC to Long Island and New Jersey, underscoring fears that Mamdani’s policies—such as free buses—will worsen homelessness and strain city services. The discussion expands to foreign investment in NYC real estate, skyrocketing rents, and the long-standing trend of oligarchs using Manhattan property to shield assets.

Clay and Buck also tackle cultural contradictions within the left, highlighting the “unholy alliance” between progressive activists and Islamist sympathizers, questioning how identity politics can reconcile support for LGBTQ rights with pro-Palestinian movements that endorse Sharia law. They predict these fractures will intensify in coming years.

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