In a recent episode of This Past Weekend, comedian Theo Von sat down with New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani for a conversation that touched on everything from political identity to the state of American democracy.
The conversation turned to voter engagement and political allegiance when Von raised a point that resonates with many. “People don’t believe that there’s any side anymore,” he told Mamdani. “It seems like people don’t believe either one of these sides anymore is like a real side.”
Von’s observation speaks to a growing sentiment across the country. He noted how politicians from both parties seem disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens, pointing to Bernie Sanders as a prime example.
“That’s every because it doesn’t feel real anymore. It feels like Bernie got railroaded by his party that never even had a primary,” Von said, referencing the Vermont senator’s treatment during Democratic primary races.
This breakdown in traditional political identity reflects a deeper frustration. Mamdani revealed that in the 2024 presidential election, roughly one-third of eligible voters chose not to participate at all.
“People are choosing a new side, which is to be uninvolved,” he explained. The mayor suggested this stems from a disconnect between political theater and material reality. “A lot of people look at the struggles in their life and then they look at the politics they’re offered and they’re like this has nothing to do with me.”
Von’s experience trying to book political figures on his podcast illustrated this divide. He mentioned that while Donald Trump was willing to appear, Kamala Harris declined. This willingness to engage directly with audiences outside traditional media channels has become a litmus test for authenticity.
Throughout their discussion, both men emphasized that voters care less about party labels than about tangible improvements in their daily lives. Mamdani spoke about his approach as mayor: focusing equally on fixing potholes and implementing universal childcare.
“You look outside your window, you see a pothole, you’re like, how could I believe that that same government that can’t fix this could do that,” he said.
The conversation highlighted how economic pressures have eroded faith in the political system. With rent prices up 150% since 1986 while incomes have risen only 25%, the American dream feels increasingly out of reach.
“It feels like you have to luck out in some big way,” Mamdani observed, noting that many people now see playing the lottery as having better odds than achieving prosperity through hard work.
Von and Mamdani agreed that this erosion of hope has created an opening for something different. Voters across the spectrum are hungry for change, not incremental adjustments.
“At this point would be surprised if somebody can do something different,” Von said. “That’s how kind of in a place that people are.”
The mayor emphasized that politicians must earn voter engagement rather than demand it.
“Time is the most precious thing you have. I need to show you that this is relevant to your life,” he said. This requires delivering concrete results, from affordable housing to fair wages for delivery workers.
Perhaps most tellingly, Mamdani noted that 60,000 New Yorkers voted for both him and Trump in the same election, demonstrating that voters refuse to be confined to partisan boxes.
“There are a lot of people who are just looking for someone to change their material reality and your time is better spent listening to them than lecturing them,” he said.
