New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to tax properties worth $5 million or more — otherwise known as the “pied-à-terre” tax — is a ploy to throw out Americans out of the Big Apple and replace them with foreign investors.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay criticize Mamdani’s communist rule in New York, pointing out his incompetence to bring the city back to its former glory. Melissa and Scott call out his aggressive housing inspections and expand on the “tax the rich” scheme that Mamdani wants to push on landowners. They also discuss the current standings of Mamdani amongst his constituents and the implications of his communist policies in the long term. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The statistics of children’s academic performance in the public school system are horrific — 34 percent of kids can read at grade level.

Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations and co-author of Woke and Weaponized: How Karl Marx Won the Battle for American Education, and How We Can Win It Back, joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the dismal state of the public education system. Robert details how Marxism was placed into the very foundation of public schools through the ideas of Robert Owen and Horace Mann. Melissa shares her personal experience of homeschooling her kids and witnessing the public school horrors firsthand. Scott, Melissa, and Robert all share the dire consequences of the education system and how homeschooling and other educational alternatives are a better solution for kids. Tune in to find out the truth that the educational elites are trying to hide!

What does it take to run for public office, and why do the best people for the job often decide to quit or avoid the position altogether?

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay explore this question and explain what it takes to be a legislator, and how principled leaders often quit due to the discouragement and scrutiny that takes place. Melissa and Scott highlight traits of successful politicians, such as possessing a certain charisma and having an ego that can bolster a leader through the ranks. They also highlight the terrible qualities that separate a good leader from a bad one, making an example out of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Gavin Newsom was caught trying to blemish his accolades and uphold his memoir as a New York Times bestseller, even though two-thirds of his book sales are from his PAC’s email blast asking for donations.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Morgan Weiner explain what happened with Newsom’s book sales and what it means for his hopes to secure the 2028 presidential election. Ellie, who is the author of Newsom Unleashed: The Progressive Lust for Unbridled Power, shares how Newsom has ruined California and how he has tried to cover his failures with his book. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, who have been caring for patients with terminal cancer for over 125 years, are being sent warning letters from the state of New York for refusing to adhere to the Long-Term Care Facility Residents’ Bill of Rights for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and People Living with HIV Act.

The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo give insight into the case and how these nuns are being attacked by the state for their religious beliefs. Ellie and Lyrah continue to sound the alarm on the harms of transgenderism and express disappointment toward the state for continuing to push for the ideology. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Justin Bieber’s performance at Coachella provoked various responses from ‘Beliebers’ and critics. Bieber’s recent comeback has also reignited discussions about his rise to fame and his past struggles.

The American Spectator’s Development Associate and ‘Belieber’ Morgan Weiner joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the controversies surrounding Justin Bieber, his abuse and handling by Sean “Diddy” Combs and Usher, and the big issues surrounding the music industry. Melissa and Morgan discuss Bieber’s previous sporadic behavior, which included fights and public breakdowns. They also discuss how Bieber was a victim of P Diddy, and how the Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning exposes the evil wrongdoings that many in Hollywood could not speak about. Scott also highlights the corruption of the recording industry and Hollywood, drawing historical comparisons to the fall of the Roman Empire and what it means for the industry today. Tune in to hear their discussion!

While the conservatives shake their heads in disappointment over Donald Trump’s recent AI photo of himself as Jesus, many struggle to make sense of Trump’s statements against Pope Leo XIV and his overall stances regarding faith.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie discuss the debacle of Trump’s AI photo and the pushback by religious conservatives — some who have even deemed the president as the Antichrist. They also discuss Trump’s unconventional strategy using AI throughout his term, and how that plays a role in the Iran war. Scott and Melissa also discuss the implications of new developments within AI to be more religious, such as the creation of an AI Jesus that can interact with users for a fee. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell have officially ousted him from the California governor’s race and led him to resign from Congress. The feeding frenzy that led Swalwell to his resignation was also fueled by the Democrats, who have left him to be ostracized by the American public.

The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie criticize Swalwell for his actions and speak on the compromised state of the Democratic Party. Scott and Melissa call out other Democrats for their deviant behavior, such as Adam Schiff and his association with sexual predator Ed Buck, and Gavin Newsom. They also discuss the Democrats who are complicit for their ties with China, such as Joe Biden, Mark Kelly, Barack Obama, and many more. Tune in to hear their discussion!