Good morning! It’s Thursday, June 26, 2025. In today’s newsletter:

⏱️ Estimated read time: 7 minutes, 14 seconds

TOP STORY

Why the establishment is panicking right now

Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory over corporate darling Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has the establishment in full-blown panic mode.

They know his truth-telling campaign—and the massive support it’s garnered—strikes at one of the ruling class’s foundational lies: that everything has to be a business.

DRIVING THE NEWS: On Tuesday, Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, bested Cuomo by six percentage points in the first round of voting.

  • He hasn’t officially clinched the nomination yet—final results come next week—but Cuomo has already conceded.

The upset didn’t just rattle elites. It shook the foundations of the system itself.

ZOOM OUT: Mamdani won by rejecting the idea that markets are the only way to organize society. That’s the lie that underpins late-stage capitalism: the only, best, and natural way to run a society is as a business.

  • But Zohran’s platform challenges that: Free public buses. Free childcare. City-run grocery stores. All paid for by taxing the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.

That vision—of a world where every human has the basic necessities of life without fear of ever losing them, no matter the cost—cuts directly against the immoral neoliberal orthodoxy that’s governed both parties for decades.

THE BACKLASH: But rather than engage the substance of Mamdani’s ideas, the ruling class is responding with fear-mongering:

  • On CNBC, anchors seriously suggested Mamdani’s policies could lead to “rich people being shot,” comparing him to Lenin.

  • Trump called him a “100% Communist lunatic”—because he believes poor people should have food, housing, and dignity.

  • Right-wing influencers unleashed a torrent of racist and Islamophobic attacks—trying to paint Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and is Muslim, as a threat to white America.

BUT BUT BUT: The panic isn’t limited to Republicans. Capitalist Democrats are just as shook.

  • Larry Summers—Ivy League blowhard and former Obama official—tweeted he was “profoundly alarmed” by Mamdani’s win and begged him to embrace a “market economy” as the American ideal.

Even the party’s “leaders,” New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakim Jeffries have refused to endorse him.

WHY IT MATTERS: Mamdani didn’t just beat a disgraced former governor. He cracked the illusion. For decades, elites have told us there’s no alternative to this exploitative system.

But now, millions are seeing through the lie. And the people who built their power on that lie? They should be scared.

➡️ Question of the Day

Given Mamdani’s success, yesterday we asked, could a Democratic Socialist be elected president? Your answer was overwhelming.

Corso voted no: “As much as I would support it, I don't think a majority of Americans would.”

But Rocky voted yes and pointed out what many said: “The general public doesn’t realize that we are already in a Democratic Socialist government. Of course Trump is attempting to change all that.”

JW went deeper: “Yes, Of course! Many of our best services are actually socialist! Social Security is one that we ALL love and look forward to cashing in on, since we actually paid into it All our working lives. We knew we could count on it to be there for us when we retired. It's a brilliant system! That's why it should never be changed! So are many others social services, if you just think about it...”

TODAY’S QUESTION: Today we want to do a vibe check. Are you feeling more or less hopeful these days? Why or why not? Tell us after you vote!

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🗞️ Making News

Trump’s team admits Iran strike didn’t work

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are now admitting the U.S. may not have inflicted as much damage on Iran’s nuclear sites as initially claimed. A leaked Pentagon assessment found the program may have only been delayed by a few months—not years. While Trump compared the bombing to Hiroshima, intelligence reports—and satellite images—suggest a far murkier reality. Full story from The Guardian.

Trump DOJ sues entire federal bench in Maryland in latest power grab

In a stunning move, Trump’s Justice Department has sued every federal district judge in Maryland, attacking a court order that paused deportations for migrants filing legal challenges. Legal experts say the suit is unprecedented and could undermine the basic principle of judicial independence. Full story from Democracy Docket.

Bondi caught lying about masked ICE raid videos

Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed ignorance about ICE agents hiding their faces during immigration raids—even though videos of masked officers have gone viral. Civil rights groups warn the tactic fuels fear and mirrors authoritarian regimes. Critics say the use of unmarked, masked agents endangers both immigrants and the public—and Bondi’s denial strains belief. Full story from The Guardian.

Intense summer heat is arriving earlier thanks to the climate crisis

Dangerous heat waves are hitting earlier than ever across the U.S., Canada, and Europe—turning June into the new July. Scientists say this is no fluke: climate change is stretching summer longer, with record-breaking temperatures, early wildfires, and melting glaciers weeks ahead of schedule. The hottest years on record keep piling up—and 2025 is well on its way to joining them. Full story from The Washington Post.

Trump’s tax plan: For every millionaire who gets a tax cut, 19 people would lose healthcare

A new report from Sen. Bernie Sanders reveals the GOP’s latest budget would strip healthcare from 16 million Americans—just to fund tax breaks for the rich. For every millionaire who benefits, 19 people lose coverage. Doctors warn the cuts could lead to over 50,000 unnecessary deaths each year and shutter rural hospitals nationwide. Full story from Common Dreams.

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IN DEPTH

The next progressive star to watch

After Zohran Mamdani’s insurgent victory in New York City, progressives are asking who might be next. One name keeps coming up: Kat Abughazaleh.

MEET KAT: At just 26, Abughazaleh is running for Illinois's 9th District—and already making waves.

As she’s said, "Half of Congress are millionaires and people born before the moon landing. And that's part of the reason we're in this mess: Our leaders are out of touch."

HOW SHE’S DIFFERENT: While most candidates hold fundraisers, Abughazaleh is using her campaign to deliver real aid.

  • She recently hosted a food drive for a community fridge program—asking supporters to donate groceries in exchange for yard signs.

"Part of the reason I decided to run is because I saw how much money gets wasted in politics," she said. "And I thought, what if we spent it differently?"

That’s not just a slogan—it’s strategy. Her campaign is built around mutual aid and community care.

THE BACKSTORY: Laid off from Media Matters after Elon Musk’s Twitter sued the group, Abughazaleh says she saw firsthand how oligarchs weaponize power to silence dissent.

  • That experience pushed her to launch her campaign in March, calling out the Democratic Party’s failure to confront rising fascism.

WHY IT MATTERS: She’s running to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

  • Once seen as a long-shot, Abughazaleh is now within single digits of the lead—outpacing five career politicians in the polls.

She’s also the only candidate in the race rejecting corporate and Republican-funded PAC money.

BIG PICTURE: Abughazaleh’s campaign echoes the Mamdani model: local, people-powered, and willing to call out capitalism by name.

  • But while Mamdani cracked the system in New York, Kat is testing whether it can be done on a national scale.

So far, the results are promising. She’s got the movement—and the momentum—to prove this isn’t just a protest candidacy. It’s a path to power.

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Thank you for reading! - Andrew & Anthony

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