James Billot

2 weeks ago | unherd.com | James Billot

Andrew CuomoAOCDemocratsMayoral electionNYCPoliticsThe leftUSzohran mamdani Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign claims a volunteer army of 25,000. But on a balmy evening in Greenpoint, fewer than a dozen showed up to canvas. Still, spirits were high. Mamdani had just scored the coveted endorsement of progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, giving his campaign a timely boost. “This could get us over the line,” a volunteer told me, grinning.

Mar 11, 2025 | unherd.com | James Billot

Andrew CuomoCrimeDemocratsEric Adamsillegal immigrationNYCPoliticsUS A group of 20 or so men are huddled on a street corner in the South Bronx. They are the only signs of life in this desolate urban landscape, save for the heavy BQE traffic that runs above their heads. The smell of liquor hangs in the air, but the bottles are hidden.

Mar 11, 2025 | unherd.com | James Billot

Andrew CuomoCrimeDemocratsEric Adamsillegal immigrationNYCPoliticsUS A group of 20 or so men are huddled on a street corner in the South Bronx. They are the only signs of life in this desolate urban landscape, save for the heavy BQE traffic that runs above their heads. The smell of liquor hangs in the air, but the bottles are hidden. No one wants to be caught breaking the rules, what with the security guards standing just a few feet away.

Feb 17, 2025 | unherd.com | James Billot

aiChinaDonald TrumpElon MuskPoliticsPopulismPremiumSilicon ValleySteve BannonTech brosUSvisas “Musk is a parasitic illegal immigrant. He wants to impose his freak experiments and play-act as God without any respect for the country’s history, values, or traditions.” Steve Bannon doesn’t hold back when I meet him in the basement of his Washington townhouse.

Nov 18, 2024 | unherd.com | James Billot

New YorkPoliticsRepublicansUS If the Trumpian message of decay and decline has any resonance, it’s in places like Hunts Point. Emerging from the subway here in the South Bronx, I see a man on a payphone pleading to speak with a psychotherapist. Another stands outside the entrance begging for change. A third is challenging street vendors to a hand-measuring contest: the winner gets a dollar (no one takes him up on the offer). This is not Trump country — far from it.