Can Zohran Mamdani save the American left?
The Politics Show
The New Statesman
4.2 • 1.5K Ratings
🗓️ 17 September 2025
⏱️ 48 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Zohran Mamdani has upended New York City politics – and potentially revitalised the American left.
Born in Uganda, raised in Manhattan - the socialist mayoral candidate has captivated voters with his viral social media videos and progressive policies. He became the democratic nominee this June, beating political veteran and former governor of New York - Andrew Cuomo - in a tightly fought primary.
If he wins in November this would be the highest office an avowed socialist has ever held in US politics. Can he do it?
Megan Gibson is joined by New Statesman columnist Ross Barkan who profiled Mamdani for this week's cover story.
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Transcript
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| 0:32.9 | The New Statesman |
| 0:39.2 | So Red Mamm-Dani has upended New York City politics and potentially revitalized the American |
| 0:44.3 | left. |
| 0:45.1 | Born in Uganda and raised of Manhattan, the socialist candidate for mayor has captivated |
| 0:49.3 | voters with his viral social media videos and progressive policies. |
| 0:53.6 | He became the Democratic nominee this June, |
| 0:56.4 | beating political veteran and former governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, in a tightly fought primary. |
| 1:01.8 | If he wins in November, this would be the highest office and avowed socialist has ever held in |
| 1:06.6 | U.S. politics. Can he do it? I'm Megan Gibson, and this is the New Statesman podcast. And I'm joined |
| 1:12.3 | today from New York by our new statesman columnist Ross Barkin, who is profiled Zohadman |
| 1:17.2 | Donnie for this week's magazine. Ross, welcome. Thank you for having me. Very excited to be on the |
| 1:22.4 | podcast. Oh, I'm very, very happy for you to make your debut. So you spent time with Mamjani for this profile, but for your interview, this absolutely |
| 1:33.6 | wasn't the first time you guys have met. |
| 1:35.4 | Why don't you kind of fill in the listeners on your guys' relationship? |
| 1:40.2 | Sure. |
| 1:40.8 | So I have a unique relationship to him. |
... |
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