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Psychologist Claims NYC Mayor's Smile Masks True Character

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist, claims New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign smile is a "fake" non-Duchenne smile on the Pod Force One podcast.
He argues that New Yorkers have deceived themselves into believing Mamdani's charm and have not recognized his "true nature."
Saad concludes that many people are blind to the mayor's "venomous" character and that voters fell prey to self-delusions regarding his demeanor.

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Story summary

Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist, claims New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign smile is a "fake" non-Duchenne smile on the Pod Force One podcast.
He argues that New Yorkers have deceived themselves into believing Mamdani's charm and have not recognized his "true nature."
Saad concludes that many people are blind to the mayor's "venomous" character and that voters fell prey to self-delusions regarding his demeanor.