Why the GOP is SCARED, and Trump is Copying Zohran Mamdani

Jessica Tarlov is back with Friday regular Aaron Parnas for a packed end-of-week rundown. They dive into TIME’s Person of the Year debate — is 2025 really the year of AI, not Trump? — and break down rising tensions after President Trump’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. They also unpack the GOP’s internal chaos over expiring ACA subsidies, the high-stakes showdown between Netflix and Paramount, and the growing influence of Zohran Mamdani as Brad Lander jumps into NY-10. Plus: predictions on next week’s Epstein files, a very online moment from Piers Morgan’s interview with Nick Fuentes, and what’s making both Jessica and Aaron rage this week. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov break down Trump’s nationwide “affordability blitz,” where he’s touting falling gas prices and insisting his tariffs will help the middle class — even as consumer sentiment sinks, layoffs top a million, and businesses warn prices will jump in January. The White House is scrambling in response, launching a food price-fixing probe and rolling out a $12B farm bailout, all while Republicans splinter over how to handle Democrats’ ACA subsidy extension. From there, they turn to South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace, who’s taking aim at her own party’s leadership for sidelining rank-and-file members — especially women. Her blistering op-ed argues the GOP is too timid, too male-dominated, and at real risk of losing its majority. Finally, they head to Texas, where an unexpected Democratic matchup — James Talarico vs. Jasmine Crockett — is reshaping the 2026 Senate race.  Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessie Tarlov sits down with Aaron Parnas to unpack a week of political chaos. They dive into the Pentagon’s IG report exposing Pete Hegseth’s reckless sharing of classified military information on Signal and the controversial Caribbean boat strikes, with Aaron explaining why accountability—and potentially impeachment—should be on the table. They also discuss the Tennessee special election, what it means for 2026, and the ongoing healthcare debates as Republicans scramble to put together a viable plan. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dig into Trump’s latest anti-immigrant crackdown—from firing nearly 100 immigration judges to freezing visas and floating denaturalization — and what happens when policy is driven by panic instead of evidence. Then they break down the viral post arguing the real poverty line isn’t $32K… it’s closer to $140K, and why so many families feel stuck in the “Valley of Death.” Plus, Oxford just crowned “rage bait” as its Word of the Year, so they unpack how outrage became the internet’s favorite currency — and what it means for our politics. Follow Jessica Tarlov,⁠ @JessicaTarlov⁠.  Follow Prof G,⁠ @profgalloway⁠. Follow Raging Moderates, ⁠@RagingModeratesPod⁠. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov sit down and talk through these strange days for the MAGA movement, after former stalwart Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s abrupt resignation announcement, Trump’s praising of Zohran Mamdani and the dismissal of the case against former FBI Director James Comey. Plus, the latest on the Ukraine-Russia peace talks, and whether the Transportation Department’s new “civility campaign” can actually make holiday travel any less miserable. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica Tarlov is joined by special Friday correspondent Aaron Parnas to talk about what comes next with the Epstein files release, now that the bill has sped through. They also look at the dangers of “sane-washing” Trump’s Truth Social threats, the latest legal challenges to midcycle redistricting in Texas and California, and the upcoming meeting between Trump and NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov break down the MAGA civil war — Trump losing his grip, right-wing influencers turning on each other, and the 2028 power struggle already accelerating. Then they get into the growing intrigue around Chuck Schumer: he’s not stepping aside yet, but the quiet jockeying to replace him has begun. And finally, they unpack Michelle Obama’s tough-love message for Democrats — and what it means for the party’s future bench. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the new Epstein documents affect Republican candidates in next year’s midterms? Jessica Tarlov is joined by political journalist Galen Druke to talk through it, and to analyze some deeper insights from last week’s election results. Plus — whether the redistricting efforts in Texas and other states will wind up backfiring, whether Democrats will see ramifications from the long government shutdown, and early predictions for the 2028 presidential race. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov.  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway. Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dive into Trump’s new “affordability” push — from $2,000 tariff rebate checks to 50-year mortgages — and ask whether any of it actually makes economic sense. Then, California’s Gavin Newsom takes on America’s masculinity crisis, warning Democrats can’t keep ignoring men and boys. Plus, Texas Democrat James Talarico gets caught following OnlyFans models, and Trump’s influence hits a new low (or high?) — the “Mar-a-Lago face.” Follow Jessica Tarlov,⁠ @JessicaTarlov⁠.  Follow Prof G,⁠ @profgalloway⁠. Follow Raging Moderates, ⁠@RagingModeratesPod⁠. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica Tarlov is joined by Gen Z political voice and commentator Aaron Parnas to break down the post-election landscape — from what Democrats can learn from Zohran Mamdani’s surprise win in New York to why some of the GOP’s favorite culture-war tactics keep falling flat. They dig into Nancy Pelosi’s retirement announcement, the record-breaking government shutdown, and Trump’s latest standoff with Senate Republicans. Plus — could Marjorie Taylor Greene really be gearing up for a presidential run? Follow Jessica Tarlov,⁠ @JessicaTarlov⁠.  Follow Prof G,⁠ @profgalloway⁠. Follow Raging Moderates, ⁠@RagingModeratesPod⁠. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices