Zohran Mamdani Explains His Rise
The Daily
10/16/25
•52m
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Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s come-from-behind victory in this summer’s Democratic primary for New York City mayor is already the stuff of political legend. But in many ways, the most intriguing phase of his campaign has been the period since then, as he has labored, painstakingly, to win over his skeptics. How, exactly, would a 33-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America, with little management experience and a record of polarizing pronouncements, win over enough voters to prevail in the general election?
So far, the polls suggest he’s doing just that.
And so, a few days ago, “The Daily” sat down Mr. Mamdani for an extended conversation about his campaign, the forces and ideas that have animated it and his plans, if elected on Nov. 4, to deliver on his campaign promises and contend with a Republican president who has promised to treat him as an enemy from his first day in office.
Guest: Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City.
Background reading:
- Inside the improbable, audacious and (so far) unstoppable rise of Zohran Mamdani.
Photo: Vincent Alban/The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Previous Episode
The Border Czar and a Bag of $50,000
October 15, 2025
•23m
For the past few weeks, Trump officials have repeatedly dodged questions about an undercover F.B.I. investigation of the border czar, Tom Homan, and what became of $50,000 in cash that was delivered to him.
Devlin Barret, who covers the F.B.I. for The New York Times, discusses the inquiry, which was closed after President Trump came to office.
Guest: Devlin Barrett, a New York Times reporter covering the Justice Department and the F.B.I.
Background reading:
- Mr. Homan was said to have received $50,000 from agents. He may not have to return it.
- Democrats have opened inquiries into the Trump administration’s decision to close the F.B.I. investigation of Mr. Homan.
Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Next Episode
A Shutdown Where None of the Normal Rules Apply
October 17, 2025
•32m
Under normal circumstances, the profound pain of a government shutdown compels both parties to negotiate a quick resolution on behalf of the American people. But, so far, nothing about this shutdown is normal.
Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Tyler Pager, Catie Edmondson and Tony Romm sit down to discuss why this shutdown feels so different.
Guest:
- Tyler Pager, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covering President Trump and his administration.
- Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times.
- Tony Romm, a reporter covering economic policy and the Trump administration for The New York Times, based in Washington.
Background reading:
- President Trump’s unilateral spending cuts could complicate a shutdown deal.
- The Trump administration said it would pay some ICE and T.S.A. agents during the shutdown.
Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
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