TMI Show Ep 166: “Will NYC Go Socialist?”

Listeners of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your boredom! Today on “The TMI Show with Ted Rall and Manila Chan,” it’s finally the big day of New York City’s primary election. We’ll decide the next mayor of the Big Apple and reshape the future of the Democratic Party! New Yorkers hit the polls today in a high-stakes showdown pitting two wildly different Democrats: Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist backed by progressives like AOC and Bernie Sanders, against Andrew Cuomo, the scandal-plagued former governor propped up by centrists and billionaire donors like Mike Bloomberg. Mamdani’s meteoric rise, fueled by a massive social media following and promises like a rent freeze and free buses, has him edging out Cuomo in recent polls, especially with young voters—60% of 18–34-year-olds rank him first.

The ranked-choice voting system, where voters pick up to five candidates, could deliver Mamdani’s upset victory, with Monday’s poll showing him winning after multiple rounds. Early voting smashed records, with over 380,000 ballots cast, 40% by under age-40 New Yorkers, signaling a leftist surge. Cuomo’s campaign, dodging big rallies for small venues, has unleashed millions in attack ads, some funded by GOP billionaires, as the race tightens—but the reactionary attacks are only helping Mamdani with seriously pissed-off New Yorkers. Mamdani’s cross-endorsement with arrested-by-ICE progressive Brad Lander adds more heat. This primary’s winner is likely NYC’s next mayor, given Democrats’ dominance over city politics. It’s a battle between progressives and corporatists for the party’s soul—don’t miss the drama!

Plus:

Iran-Israel ceasefire teeters amid alleged violations as Trump rages.

Israeli troops kill another 25 starving Palestinians at a Gaza aid site.

Tourist’s selfie damages Uffizi artwork. Are derpy museum visitors out of control?