Mamdani Flips Reaganism: Government as the Answer to Everything

On The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, the hosts dissected the rise of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist from New York City, and his bold rejection of Ronald Reagan’s famous maxim that “government is the problem.” Mamdani has instead positioned himself as the face of a movement arguing that government can and should fix everything—from housing and healthcare to debt relief and job security.

Clay and Buck emphasized how Mamdani’s rhetoric turns Reaganism on its head, appealing to voters who feel squeezed by inflation, stagnant wages, and rising costs of living. They noted that Mamdani’s platform resonates with younger, urban progressives who see expansive government programs as the solution to systemic inequality.

The segment also explored the national implications of Mamdani’s rise. Clay warned that if Democrats embrace Mamdani’s vision, it could reshape the party’s identity around socialist-style governance, while Buck argued that Republicans must be ready to counter this narrative by highlighting the dangers of unchecked government expansion.

The takeaway: Mamdani’s promise that “government can fix everything” represents a direct ideological challenge to Reagan-era conservatism, signaling a broader shift in Democratic politics that could ripple into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.