If MAGA loses the midterms, what happens to the celebrities and politicians who backed it? Luke Thomas says the answer depends on the Democrats, because winning power back means nothing without a theory of governing, and Zohran Mamdani is the one Democrat proving what that actually looks like.
Luke walks through why he thinks MAGA comes apart as a coalition after Trump but is not convinced a big midterm loss makes being formerly MAGA politically toxic yet. Then he pivots to the part he cannot stress enough: Democrats only talk about winning elections. Mamdani is governing big and small at the same time, from childcare and late-night rec centers to cleaned-up playgrounds and 70,000 arts tickets, and his approval is still climbing nine months in. Luke calls it the most pro-social governing he has seen in years and argues that is how the left wins.
A viewer pushes back on Luke's take that California had leverage in the Warner Bros merger fight. Luke does not budge. They won the TRO, the Paramount threat was a bluff, and the party still folded. His verdict on a party that has made surrender part of its culture is not gentle.
Listen to the full conversation over on Luke's Substack: https://lthomas.substack.com/
Luke Thomas Gets Political lives on YouTube, Substack, and as a podcast. Subscribe here and hit the bell so you never miss a live chat.
Chapters
00:00 What Happens To MAGA If They Lose?
00:45 Does MAGA Survive Trump?
01:20 Winning Means Nothing Without Governing
01:50 Mamdani's Potholes To Liftoff Theory
02:45 Childcare, Parks, And 70,000 Arts Tickets
03:40 Why Mamdani's Approval Keeps Climbing
04:20 This Is How The Left Wins
04:45 Viewer Pushback On The Warner Bros Deal
05:30 California Won The TRO And Folded
06:10 Democrats Have No Appetite For Battle
#maga #donaldtrump #lukethomas
