Show Notes
In this wide-ranging and candid interview on The Moynihan Report, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Michael Moynihan for a deep dive into the personal history that shaped his worldview, the complexities of American foreign policy, and the future of progressive politics in NYC.The conversation begins with a moving reflection on de Blasio’s father, a World War II veteran who lost his leg at the Battle of Okinawa. De Blasio opens up about how his father’s subsequent struggle with PTSD and alcoholism deeply influenced his own understanding of war, mental health, and the importance of family.The discussion then pivots to a heated but respectful debate on US imperialism and interventionism. Moynihan and de Blasio spar over historical US involvement in Latin America, specifically the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, whom De Blasio defended as seeking a third way between US capitalism and Soviet communism, and the morality of overthrowing sovereign leaders. They also tackle the episode's "ripped from the headlines" topic: the recent US extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. De Blasio argues that even surgical removals of foreign leaders set a dangerous precedent that could embolden rivals like China and Russia.Finally, de Blasio reflects on his two terms as Mayor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional toll of the job, which he managed with a philosophy he calls "don't look down." He offers a ringing endorsement of rising progressive star Zohran Mamdani, debating Moynihan on the feasibility of Mamdani's boldest proposals, including free buses, rent freezes, and public grocery stores.Subscribe to the YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Moynihan Report
-Moynihan's Introduction -Cocaine, Basquiat, and the Odeon -The Making of Bright Lights, Big City -Meeting Raymond Carver -Writing, Aging, and Looking Back -Becoming a Literary Celebrity -Writing in the Aftermath of 9/11 -Politics, Mamdani, and Angela Davis -Cancel Culture and Censorship in Publishing -COVID and the Deserted City -The Lost World of 1980s New York -Brain Surgery, Heart Surgery, and Mortality -Writing a Memoir and Revisiting the Past -Rielle Hunter and the John Edwards Scandal -Quitting Cocaine and Confronting Addiction -The Friends Who Didn't Survive -What's Left to Accomplish Monologue photo provided courtesy of the Odeon (in the intro)
Historian and bestselling author Simon Sebag Montefiore joins Michael Moynihan to discuss his new book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East, and the history behind one of the world's most contested regions. They examine the myths surrounding Israel's founding, the Palestinian Nakba, the rise and fall of Arab nationalism, and the emergence of political Islam. Montefiore challenges the popular decolonization narrative, explains why the Iranian Revolution of 1979 transformed the region, and considers why Western audiences, particularly younger generations, have embraced increasingly distorted versions of Middle Eastern history. Along the way, they discuss antisemitism, the failures of Israeli leadership, the prospects for democracy in the Arab world, and whether Israelis and Palestinians can ever reach a lasting political settlement. Chapters -From Russia to the Middle East -Antisemitism and Montefiore's Family History -The Internet and the Persistence of Historical Myths -Why Historians Need to Speak Up -Challenging the Settler-Colonial Narrative -Criticizing Israel vs. Antisemitism -Why Is the West Obsessed With the Middle East? -Anti-Colonialism and the New Crusaders -Was the 1948 War Inevitable? -The Nakba and the Palestinian Exodus -Zionism Before 1948 -From Left-Wing Radicalism to Islamism -Nasser and the Muslim Brotherhood -Why the Iranian Revolution Changed Everything -Can Democracy Take Root in the Middle East? -How the West's View of Israel Changed -The Future of a Two-State Solution -The Biggest Misconception About the Middle East
Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney joins Michael Moynihan to discuss his new film, Musk, a critical examination of Elon Musk's rise to extraordinary wealth and political power. They debate Musk's genuine achievements at Tesla and SpaceX, his transformation into a Trump ally, and whether his greatest talent is innovation or self-promotion. Gibney also defends the film's more controversial claims involving Ashley St. Clair, the 2024 election, DOGE, and access to sensitive government data, while Moynihan presses him on the line between legitimate investigation and conspiracy theory. Plus, Tesla's self-driving promises, the dangers of AI, and why Gibney believes Musk is ultimately a confidence man.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joby Warrick joins Michael Moynihan to tell the story of Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan Marxist who became the world’s most notorious terrorist. They discuss his rise through the Palestinian militant movement, his ties to the Soviet bloc, and the governments that allowed him to operate across Europe and the Middle East for decades. Warrick also recounts meeting an unrepentant Carlos in a French prison and explains how his brand of international terrorism anticipated Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the decentralized political violence of today. We're nominated for Signal Awards! Vote for The Moynihan Report for: Best video podcast: https://bit.ly/4jxj2wY Best guest (William Shatner): https://bit.ly/4AG4zoz Best episode: https://bit.ly/4dxq7tZ Also: The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show: https://bit.ly/3U0K8ST CHAPTERS (0:00) Cold Open (0:20) Intro (1:44) Becoming Carlos the Jackal (5:10) Terrorism, Marxism and Antisemitism (8:34) The Paris Grenade Attack (11:35) Why Europe Paid Off Terrorists (15:42) The Soviet Terror Network (22:49) Terrorism and the Palestinian Cause (28:20) Meeting Carlos in Prison (35:55) Carlos and the Nazis (39:02) From Marxism to Radical Islam (41:58) The CIA Informant Who Betrayed Carlos (44:45) How Dictators Protected the Jackal (47:02) The Legacy of 1970s Terrorism (49:21) What Happened to Al-Qaeda and ISIS? (52:45) Israel and the Axis of Resistance (56:08) Political Violence Today
Michael Musto Is Mr. Adjacent Village Voice and NYC icon Michael Musto joins Michael Moynihan for a tour through the New York he chronicled from the inside, from growing up gay in Bensonhurst to the glory days of downtown nightlife, celebrity gossip, the Club Kids, Michael Alig, ACT UP, RuPaul, and the AIDS crisis. They also talk about outing celebrities, Rosie O’Donnell calling Musto a “gay Nazi,” the changing city, and what it meant to spend decades watching New York culture from just off center.