Is Zohran Mamdani the Democrat’s new secret weapon?
Americast
BBC
4.2 • 2.8K Ratings
🗓️ 27 June 2025
⏱️ 36 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Why has a mayoral race in New York sparked conversations across America about the future of the Democratic party, and the state of politics in the United States? Zohran Mamdani, who looks set to be confirmed as the Democrat’s new candidate for the Mayor of New York has already been labelled a ‘disruptor’ a ‘visionary’ and a ‘communist lunatic’ by Donald Trump. Sarah, Justin and Marianna look at who he is, his politics, and what impact his victory might have beyond New York, America’s largest city. We also speak to author (Moneyball, The Big Short) and financial journalist Michael Lewis about his new book ‘Who is Government’, about the inner workings of federal agencies in the US, about why the Democrats need to reinvent their party - and reimagine their next frontrunner.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. 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 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:04.8 | Something huge has happened, and it doesn't involve Israel and it doesn't involve Iran, |
| 0:08.7 | and it doesn't even really involve Donald Trump. |
| 0:11.0 | It is an upset in the Democratic primary in the New York mayoral election. |
| 0:18.4 | It is a huge upset. |
| 0:19.5 | The biggest probably in New York political history in a |
| 0:22.7 | generation. It matters for the rest of America too, and it centers on this man. We have won because |
| 0:29.3 | New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford. A city where they can do more than just struggle. |
| 0:39.3 | One where those who toil in the night can enjoy the fruits of their labor in the day. |
| 0:46.3 | Where hard work is repaid with a stable life. |
| 0:52.3 | And it's where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump's fascism. |
| 1:02.9 | Quite a speaker, isn't he? His name is Zoran Mamdani, and now he is almost certainly the Democrats' new candidate for the mayor of New York. |
| 1:11.6 | He's already been labeled a communist lunatic by Donald Trump, |
| 1:14.9 | but he's also been called a disruptor, a visionary Trump's worst nightmare. |
| 1:19.3 | So what does this victory mean for the Democrats? |
| 1:22.6 | Why is it important for politics in the whole of America? |
| 1:25.4 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 1:29.0 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 1:32.2 | You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. |
| 1:34.9 | You're gambling with World War III. |
| 1:37.2 | President Trump's message is very simple. |
| 1:39.2 | We are done being taken advantage of. |
... |
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