Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Episode: The MAGA Civil War Begins

Date: November 19, 2025
Podcast Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Main Theme

In this episode, Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dive into the escalating rift within the MAGA movement and the broader Republican Party, explore the emerging power struggle over Chuck Schumer’s future, and react to Michelle Obama’s candid remarks on America’s readiness for a female president. The discussion is rooted in a centrist perspective, pinballing between political strategy, policy rifts, and the future of both parties as the 2028 election cycle looms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The MAGA Civil War: Fractures and Fallout

[02:19 - 20:45]

• Summary:
  Scott and Jess dissect the very visible internal feuds tearing through MAGA, from Trump’s eroding control, high-profile betrayals, to splinters over policy and conspiracy theories. The conversation highlights the transition from MAGA as a Trump cult to a broader, contested movement.

• Key Segments:

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene Goes Rogue: MTG publicly challenges Trump—unprecedently for a “MAGA acolyte.”

    • Scott: “She's firing shots across his bow...there might be political opportunity in directly taking on the President’s idea, specifically around Epstein.” (05:02)
    • Jess: “She still has the kook in her, right...It will be interesting to see how he deals with the caucus post release of the [Epstein] files.” (06:12)

  • “The MAGA Breakup Stool” – Jess’ Analysis:
    Jess introduces a “three-legged stool” analogy for the unraveling MAGA coalition:

    1. Epstein Files/Conspiracy Theories (MTG crowd and some normies)
    2. Policy Fractures (Tariffs, H1B visas, immigration overreach)
    3. The Israel Divide (Battle for ‘America First’ and right-wing identity, accelerated by media figures and extreme influencers)
    • Jess: “Then you have the third stool, which I think is at least the most salacious...the fight over Israel, kind of the battle for the soul of the America First aspect of the party.” (09:31)

  • The Influence of Far-right and Far-left Extremism:

    • Scott: “When you go to the extremes, they become more and more similar...the horseshoe thing. The far left and the far right share anti-Semitic views.” (11:29)

• Notable Quote:

  • Scott: “If conspiracy was a person, it would have [Marjorie Taylor Greene’s] haircut... She has the energy of a woman who shows up to Costco with a, you know, demanding to return a rotisserie chicken that's already half eaten.” (13:34)

2. Who Leads Post-Trump? Potentials and Power Markets

[13:59 - 17:26]

• Summary:
  Examining betting markets and political energy, they assess who’s likely to inherit the splintered GOP. The numbers, especially for JD Vance, spark disbelief.

• Kalshee Market Odds:

  • JD Vance: 51%
    • Scott: "That does feel high to me… I don't think J.D. Vance has that likability." (14:32)
    • Jess: “He is completely charmless...Even his friends don’t talk about him the way they talk about Trump.” (15:13)
  • Marco Rubio: 9%
  • Ron DeSantis: 3%
  • Tucker Carlson: 3%
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene: 5%

• Leadership Style and Necessary Breaks with Extremism:

  • Scott: “Real leadership is calling out people in your own party and just saying this is not productive.” (17:26)

3. Media’s Role in Amplifying Division

[17:26 - 20:45]

• The Tucker-Carlson/Nick Fuentes Feedback Loop:

  • Scott: “People just don't realize how powerful these podcasters are becoming...Tucker’s reaching probably 5 to 10 times the core demo.” (18:53)
  • Jess: “That’s the average viewership...By the way, folks, Jess is on a show that’s the most viewed show in all of cable news by far.” (19:05)
  • Scott: “Social media algorithms...love incendiary, controversial content, which is Latin for misinformation that is especially vile...They're creating a non-organic monster here.” (20:09)

• Memorable Analogy:

  • Scott: “Reasonable policy discussion of people are somewhere in the middle...The algorithms are like, hold my beer.” (20:37)

4. The Battle Over Schumer’s Senate Future

[27:07 - 34:19]

• Summary:
  With Chuck Schumer deeply unpopular, speculation swirls around succession. Jess and Scott agree he’s unlikely to face a primary and is more apt to retire.

  • Jess: “I don't think he gets primaried...you are supposed to pass the torch after a great career in public service.” (27:08)
  • Scott: "Senator Schumer should take a page out of the MTV playbook...MTV has come and gone. It closed down last week. MTV is no longer a thing." (34:19)

• Who’s Next?

  • Amy Klobuchar: Both hosts’ favorite for future Democratic Senate leader.
    • Jess: “Amy Klobuchar just totally fits the bill. She’s 65. I think having someone from the Midwest is also a good thing...I like her fight, I like her smarts.” (29:02)
    • Scott: “If I were just to...support someone based on competence and policy, my choice for president would be Senator Klobuchar...I think smart needs to be the new black.” (30:01)

• Brian Schatz: Jess’s runner-up—a progressive with centrist trust.

• Electability vs. Competence: Scott struggles between supporting the most electable candidate versus the most qualified.

5. Michelle Obama Calls Out American Sexism in Politics

[36:33 - 45:28]

• Michelle Obama’s Brutal Assessment:

  • Michelle Obama (clip): "...don't even look at me about running because you all are lying. You're not ready for a woman. You are not. So don't waste my time..." (37:11)
  • Scott: “She’s so practical and sounds like such a good parent...Right there, she just said the quiet part out loud. I think the easiest way to lose the election and then not have a female president for the next 20 or 30 years would be to run a woman again.” (37:17, 38:06)

• Stats on Women in Power:

  • Only 27% of U.S. elected officials are female, despite women outnumbering men in college graduations for decades.
  • Scott’s (satirical) theory: America may be more ready for a “Margaret Thatcher-like” Republican woman than a Democrat. (39:27)

• Jess’s Pushback & Optimism:

  • Jess: “I want to be a little glass half full...as we see more important victories for women in politics, like Abigail Spanberger and Mikey Sheryl winning. That was a rout.” (40:42, 41:50)
  • Emphasizes how Hillary Clinton’s lead in the popular vote and Kamala Harris’s campaign didn’t benefit from fair competition.

• Notable Quote:

  • Scott: “Sometimes I wonder, did we elect the wrong Obama and the wrong Clinton? I think Secretary Clinton is the great president we should have had.” (45:06)
  • Jess (on Michelle Obama): “She hates politics. She won’t give it up.” (45:28)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On MAGA Fracturing:

  • Scott: “It feels like Marjorie Taylor Greene’s...consultant is now the most seminal person in the world.” (05:00)

• On Schumer’s Longevity:

  • Scott: “When Senator Schumer entered Congress in 1981, the median price of a home was $69,000...MTV launched that year...MTV is no longer a thing.” (33:25, 34:19)

• Humorous “Leaf Blower” Metaphor:

  • Scott (on MTG): “She has the political nuance of a leaf blower at 6am...” (14:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• MAGA Fractures Begin: 02:19–11:04
• Jess's "Breakup Stool": 06:08–11:04
• Media Splinters and Alt-Right Influence: 13:59–20:45
• Schumer's Senate Succession: 27:07–34:19
• Michelle Obama on Sexism: 36:33–45:28
• Discussion on Women in Leadership: 39:45–45:28

Tone and Language

Galloway’s irreverent metaphors and Jess’s wry political analysis create a sharp, often humorous centrist conversation. Both hosts blend broad political context with vivid, sometimes biting language (like “the political nuance of a leaf blower at 6am,” and candid takes on likability, electability, and character).

Conclusion

This episode provides a lively, critical, and centrist perspective on American political fault lines. From the MAGA schism to Democratic leadership prospects, Galloway and Tarlov unpack how extremism, media platforms, and lingering sexism shape the turf for both parties. Their mix of policy depth, sharp banter, and frank assessment—especially on issues like internal party conflict, media manipulation, and American attitudes toward female leaders—make this a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity as 2028 approaches.

(For brevity and context, ads, intros, and outro music have been omitted.)