Podcast Summary – Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Episode Title: The Trump Team’s GRIFTS for Greenland, Gaza, and Beyond
Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Tarlev (JT) & Aaron Parnas (AP)
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Overview

This episode covers the latest political developments through a centrist lens, focusing on:

• Trump's disruptive presence at Davos and international grifts
• U.S.-European alliances and shifts in global order
• Kushner’s controversial Gaza redevelopment plans
• The Democratic 2028 primary calendar battle
• J.D. Vance’s marginalization as VP
• The RFK Jr. “dietary guidelines” tour and speculation about his political ambitions
  Throughout, hosts Jessica Tarlov and Aaron Parnas balance insightful political critique with their trademark humor and frankness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump at Davos and the "Greenland Grift"

[02:21]–[06:28]

• Trump’s visit to Davos created market chaos after threats of tariffs over Greenland, only to later present a “framework” deal that was essentially what the U.S. already had via NATO and Denmark.
  • "It kind of seemed like all one big grift... what Trump likes to do, if you look at the stock market, he says tariffs, then the stock market falls, then people buy, then he says no more tariffs, and then the stock market's now rising again and people are making money." (AP, [03:34])
• European allies (especially Macron and Danish PM) directly confronted Trump’s claims, breaking precedent in their public rebukes.
  • "The amount of Trumpian BS that they just called out... is different than it has been in the past." (JT, [04:57])
• Mark Carney’s speech, declaring “America as a superpower is over,” signaled a turning point in the global order.
  • "[Carney] basically just said America is a superpower in the same way, is over. The global order is done." (JT, [05:19])

2. Shifting World Order and U.S.-EU/NATO Relations

[06:28]–[11:05]

• The hosts discuss a historic shift away from U.S.-centric alliances, with more countries possibly aligning with China amid American self-isolationism.

  • "I think 2026 will be defined as the year the world order shifts dramatically... More countries will kind of move closer to China as the United States really alienates itself." (AP, [06:41])

• Even a Democratic president in 2028 would likely continue many of the current policies due to realpolitik and an altered global landscape.

  • "You can't just do that. You can't keep flip flopping like this every four years...we have to recognize that the world is shifting." (AP, [10:24])

• Tarlov questions whether such deep fissures with democratic allies are inevitable, expressing concern for the future of Western partnerships.

  • "I wouldn't think that this level of fissure...was the direction we had to be going in. I think that there is a world where we could be like, it's us versus them and it's more traditional axes of evil..." (JT, [10:32])

3. Kushner’s Gaza “Palm Beach” Vision & Political Grifting

[11:52]–[14:23]

• Tarlov slams Jared Kushner’s “dystopian” plan to reconstruct Gaza:

  • "It's so unprofessional...if you are not ready to deal with the repercussions...proposing to turn Gaza into Palm Beach...what is going to happen to [the people]? How are they going to afford your condos?" (JT, [11:52])

• Parnas warns that without buy-in from Gazans, the plan is doomed, and darkly jokes about the exploitative logic behind it.

  • "You could pump whatever money you want into Gaza today. It's not going to work if you don't have sign off from the people...or you ethnically completely cleanse them...or some type of, like, internment light..." (AP, [13:10])

• Both call out the use of government influence for personal profit, referencing Kushner’s interactions with Steve Witkoff.

  • "How did we get this good fortune right, that we're able to use the government as a way to line our pockets like this..." (JT, [12:13])

4. Democratic 2028 Primary Calendar Chaos

[14:23]–[17:51]

• With no incumbent, many states lobby to go first in the primaries, each emphasizing different voter demographics.
• Parnas floats bold ideas:
  • "To me, it's either...Iowa, South Carolina, or take a big state and you make them go first—throw in California, throw in Florida...let's try something different." (AP, [15:51])
• Tarlov enjoys the hypothetical of New York primaries and the resulting political drama.
  • "Finally you're saying something that makes some sense...Imagine, like, every presidential candidate having to go in and get Zohrand's endorsement..." (JT, [17:32])

5. J.D. Vance Marginalized as VP & Trump's Media Games

[21:16]–[24:13]

• Vance makes speeches in the Midwest but seems sidelined; crucial meetings and high-profile events exclude him.
  • "I think JD Vance is being sidelined kind of worse than what they did to Kamala because he's not in any of the Important rooms. He wasn't there when we captured Maduro. He wasn't there in Davos." (AP, [22:50])
• Trump’s angry reaction to negative New York Times/Siena poll: threats to sue, as JT jokes about the toll of constant grievance.
  • "It must just be exhausting living in his body or his mind." (JT, [21:54])
• Discussion of political optics: Trump cares less about actions than how they're televised (e.g., ICE roundups).

6. RFK Jr. as Health Czar and Political Wildcard

[19:46], [24:13]–[27:05]

• RFK Jr. is on a "dietary guidelines" tour—politically similar to a campaign, but insists he’s not running for president.

• Speculation about his ambitions:

  • "I think he knows that he's not going to win...I think that's also old...[but] it makes me wonder if he's going to do something strange as an independent." (AP & JT, [24:33]–[25:39])

• Tarlov and Parnas are unimpressed by his nutritional policies—comparing RFK’s guidelines to the Atkins diet, questioning his qualifications, and calling it a “pyramid scheme.”

  • "He just should have gotten a job at USDA and been nowhere near HHS Secretary." (JT, [25:39])
  • "I don't know about RFK Jr. and this new pyramid scheme of his." (AP, [27:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s market manipulation:

  • “It kind of seemed like all one big grift in a way. A grift that actually is going to make a lot of people money.” (AP, [03:34])

• European Pushback:

  • “I think the amount of Trumpian BS that they just called out to his face and on social media is different than it has been in the past.” (JT, [04:57])

• On Kushner’s Gaza Plans:

  • “Proposing to turn Gaza into Palm Beach...like, people are going to have questions. Especially because there are millions of people that live there.” (JT, [11:52])

• On J.D. Vance’s Role:

  • “He seems to be kind of just being trotted out in places the administration doesn't want to deal with...he's already on paternity leave.” (AP, [22:50], [24:09])

• On Democracy & Domino’s Pizza:

  • "[People need to calm down about Domino's.] I think it's better than most New York style pizza." (AP, [27:57])
  • "[Everyone’s] entitled to their own opinion, even if it’s wrong." (AP, [28:02])
  • JT reply: "No, I think that's how we ended up with Trump." (JT, [28:06])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump at Davos / Global Grift: [02:21]–[06:28]
• Shifting Alliances & World Order: [06:28]–[11:05]
• Kushner, Gaza, and Corruption: [11:52]–[14:23]
• Democratic Calendar Fights: [14:23]–[17:51]
• J.D. Vance and White House Power Dynamics: [21:16]–[24:13]
• RFK Jr. and the Health Policy Sideshow: [24:13]–[27:05]
• Rage and Calm: Domino’s vs. New York Pizza: [27:14]–[28:18]

Final Thoughts – Rage & Calm Segment

• What’s making them rage:
  • AP: People not taking the ice storm seriously; Ted Cruz fleeing to Laguna Beach again. [27:14]
• What to calm down about:
  • AP: Domino’s Pizza hate—claims it’s better than most New York pizzas, to JT’s horrified bemusement. [27:57]

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is witty, occasionally irreverent, but analytical, combining policy insight with pop culture and candid personal takes. The hosts’ centrist approach invites skepticism towards both parties and a recognition of the political theater underlying current events.

If you missed the episode, this summary covers the full range of political drama, international intrigue, campaign maneuvering—and, of course, a slice of controversial pizza takes.