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On with Kara SwisherTrump says American cities are "cesspools." These mayors have receipts.
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Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- September 3, 2026
- Duration
- 1h 8m
- Channel
- On with Kara Swisher
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
President Trump has described American cities as “rotting” and “cesspools of blood.” But the Democratic mayors of Denver, Kansas City and New Orleans say the facts on the ground tell a very different story. Kara Swisher sits down with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno to discuss falling crime rates, homelessness, affordable housing and the growing backlash against AI data centers. They also explain how their cities are pushing back against ICE operations, detention centers, gerrymandering and threats to the upcoming elections. Plus, Pete Buttigieg asks which ideas they’re stealing from other mayors—including Zohran Mamdani and Daniel Lurie—and the three mayors make the case that local leaders could help fix the Democratic Party’s national message. 00:00 Intro 05:31 Trump’s attack on cities 10:43 What the World Cup did for Kansas City 18:16 Pete Buttigieg asks which mayors they’re copying 23:43 Why cities are rejecting AI data centers 30:22 The fight over affordable housing and homelessness 42:56 Democratic mayors push back against ICE 51:30 Gerrymandering, election threats and voting rights 1:01:53 Can mayors fix the Democratic Party’s message? Subscribe: https://goo.gl/FRleYo Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-with-kara-swisher/id1643307527 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/42ntT7XnfdbbYetUQu0vu5?si=ddbc94321e3948af FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onwithkaraswisher/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@onwithkaraswisher?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-swisher-b7213 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@onwithkaraswisher
SPEAKERS
Kara Swisher
hostJournalist and podcast host of On with Kara Swisher.
Helena Moreno
guestNew Orleans city official and city councilmember (at-large), focused on urban governance issues.
Quinton Lucas
guestMayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
Pete Buttigieg
cameoFormer U.S. Secretary of Transportation and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of On with Kara Swisher, featuring Kara Swisher and Helena Moreno, Trump says American cities are "cesspools." These mayors have receipts. explores Democratic mayors rebut “cesspool” claims with local results and battles Kara Swisher interviews Democratic mayors of Denver, Kansas City, and New Orleans about governing amid polarization across public safety, housing, immigration, and elections.
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