Americanswers... on 5 Live! Has Zohran Mamdani achieved a miracle in New York?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 18 May 2026
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
NYC’s new mayor says his new budget will save the city billions without having to cut key services. In a social media post, Zohran Mamdani told New Yorkers his administration “uncovered a $12 billion budget deficit. Today, I’m proud to say we brought it down to zero. We didn’t close the gap on the backs of working people.”But beyond the headlines, how accurate is this, and what do New Yorkers say about it?
In this episode, Justin, Anthony and Marianna answer your questions with Matt Chorley on 5 Live.They also talk about whether Trump’s social media posts now carry less weight, particularly when it comes to Iran, and a new move by Senate Democrats to take funding away from the president’s plans for a new ballroom. And, how the US president is further expanding the brand of Donald Trump, including with a Trump-branded gold phone.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
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This episode was made by Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | It's been a while since we talked about Zoran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York, |
| 0:09.7 | but some people are crediting him with achieving a fiscal miracle, a fiscal miracle, closing |
| 0:14.6 | a $12 billion budget gap without forcing billionaires out of the city or cutting lots of services either. |
| 0:22.3 | Has he actually done that, though? Or is there something else beyond the headlines? |
| 0:26.6 | We also talk in this edition of American Answers about the ruling against Donald Trump, |
| 0:32.4 | saying he can't use public funds to build his ballroom. How seriously should we be taking that? |
| 0:37.9 | And how seriously should we be taking his posts on social media about his threats against Iran? |
| 0:45.5 | Anthony, Marianna and I join Matt Chorley on Five Live. |
| 0:49.0 | So welcome to America Answers. |
| 0:53.4 | Ameriast. Ameriast. |
| 0:54.3 | Ameriast from BBC News. |
| 0:56.6 | You hear that sound? |
| 0:57.8 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:01.5 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 1:05.7 | This is a big cover-up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 1:09.1 | This guy has Trump Arrangement Syndrome. |
| 1:11.3 | I have four words for you. |
| 1:14.6 | Turn the volume up. |
| 1:20.7 | Donald Trump has issued his latest morning to Iran |
| 1:22.8 | on his social media platform, Truth Social. |
| 1:25.6 | He posted yesterday the message for Iran, the clock is ticking and they |
| 1:29.4 | better get moving fast or there won't be anything left of them than in capitals, time is of the essence, |
... |
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