Podcast Summary: "Things Are Getting Real Fascist"

Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Guest: Aaron Parnas | Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Vox Media Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode of Raging Moderates, Jessica Tarlov sits down with Aaron Parnas, a lawyer, political content creator, and influential figure among Gen Z political audiences. With Scott Galloway off for August, Jessica leads a wide-ranging, centrist-leaning discussion. The core theme: exploring the growing authoritarian moves under Trump’s second term—especially the use of the National Guard in cities, immigration enforcement controversies, shifting Democratic strategies, and the state of media, with a focus on how all this resonates (or doesn’t) with younger voters. Throughout, the conversation contrasts performative politics with actual policy, emphasizing how both sides are struggling to message or motivate the pivotal center.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Does the Left Need Its Own Joe Rogan?

Guest: Aaron Parnas [01:13]

• Jessica opens by quoting Rolling Stone, calling Aaron "the left's upgrade to Joe Rogan."
• Aaron laughs off the comparison:

  "I don't want to be Joe Rogan. I don't think the left needs a Joe Rogan." (Aaron, 01:19)

• Jessica notes:

  "Having the gift of gab...would be a good thing. ...I'd like to see someone do 3 hours sitting with someone." (Jessica, 02:15)

• Both agree the media landscape is changing, and neither believes there’s a magic centrist talk show host who will alter the political culture.

2. Trump and the National Guard: Is Authoritarianism Here?

[03:39–11:41]

What’s Happening in Chicago and D.C.?

• Trump threatens to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to “solve” crime.
• Signed executive orders for Guard units to handle “civil disturbances” broadly.
• Jessica:

  "Does Trump have the right to do this in Chicago? What do you think is going to be his next step?" (03:41)

• Aaron:

  "The President really has broad executive authority... The Supreme Court has been very willing to give significant executive leeway to the Trump administration. So I wouldn't be surprised if it’s all kind of held up." (Aaron, 04:55) "He’s not sending it to red states... He’s doing it because of retribution...and distraction." (Aaron, 05:29) "National Guard members are not necessarily the problem. It’s the president who’s deploying them." (Aaron, 06:18)

The Authoritarian Playbook

• Jessica raises the alarm on Trump’s “dystopian” moves and recounts Democrats’ limited options.
• Jessica:

  “He’s marching towards complete control of the country...I’ve been accused of minimizing Trump before...but sometimes this just doesn’t feel like him.” (Jessica, 08:08)

• Aaron:

  “He wants that power back. He feels as though that power was kind of stolen from him after 2020.” (Aaron, 09:36) “He hasn’t actually accomplished a whole lot...It’s a lot of show and not a lot of action...they want people to feel...outrage...but when you pierce through it, he’s not actually getting much done at all.” (Aaron, 10:39)

3. Crime, Media Narratives, and Democratic Messaging

[11:41–16:58]

• Jessica references David Shor’s memo: Democrats shouldn’t dismiss concerns about crime but should focus on economic issues like tariffs and Medicaid.
• “If you give up the opportunities to be making this big argument, which is that Donald Trump is trying to control every single facet of American life, then you’re missing the big picture.” (Jessica, 13:25)
• Aaron: Double-pronged approach is needed—immediate response plus long-term messaging.

  “You can't rely on just the media... it's kind of up to folks like you to really, constantly...hit those general narratives.” (Aaron, 13:58)

• Both agree Democrats often overcomplicate messaging, while sometimes indifference wins:

  “Right now, I don’t know that Democrats really need to have this, like, overarching Medicaid-cuts-are-bad message.” (Aaron, 15:32)

4. The Media’s Role: Failing or Evolving?

[16:58–24:01]

• Jessica quotes Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, urging the media:

  “This is not a time to pretend there are two sides...not a time to...ignore the authoritarian creep by this administration in favor of some horse-race piece.” (Pritzker via Jessica, 16:26–16:46)

• Discussion of media normalizing Trump’s behavior and not holding him to account—especially regarding his health, false claims, and past scandals (e.g., Epstein).
• Aaron:

  “Normalizing what Donald Trump is doing...is a problem. ...They just say, listen, he’s this eccentric figure and we’re just going to let him get away with it.” (Aaron, 19:17) “Mainstream media's role...is kind of becoming more and more obsolete as the second Trump presidency goes on. Independent media is where people are going to get their news and their information from.” (Aaron, 21:27)

5. Immigration and the Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case

[26:29–34:58]

• Jessica:

  “Kilmar Abrego Garcia...wrongfully deported...now Trump admin is trying to deport him to Uganda—a country he has zero connection to.” (Jessica, 26:29)

• Aaron:

  “I don’t know why they chose Kilmar...They unlawfully send him...then fought so hard...then brought him back on trumped up trafficking charges...now they want to deport him to Uganda.” (Aaron, 27:19) “It seems like they don’t have the evidence to prosecute him...It’s a losing situation for Trump because he keeps trying to say he’s this MS-13 gang member...if he is, present the evidence. They haven’t.” (Aaron, 28:37)

• Both argue that the administration’s handling is stubborn, rushed, and largely for show, not substance.

6. 2028 Politics: Vance, Newsom, and the Next Gen

[36:48–47:40]

• Projections on GOP and Dem fields:
  • Aaron: “I don’t honestly think there’s going to be anyone who’ll come close to challenging [Vance] on the Republican side...The MAGA base will coalesce around Vance.” (Aaron, 36:48–37:25)
  • On Democratic side: Gavin Newsom seen as strong if he survives the upcoming California referendum; mentions of Shapiro, Wes Moore as dark horses.
• Both voice skepticism about younger voters’ engagement, with the landscape feeling alienating and issues like the Israel-Gaza conflict creating intra-party obstacles.

7. Democratic Strategy and Messaging in 2026 & Beyond

[41:19–49:08]

• Is Democratic messaging effective heading to the midterms?
  Jessica:

  “There can be no bigger indication of not meeting the moment than the fact that nobody is giving the DNC cash, and a lot of Republicans are giving the RNC cash.” (Jessica, 43:39)

• Aaron: DNC’s structure is antiquated and candidate-driven.

  “The DNC...I don’t think has been properly run for a very long time...Democrats are just not aligned on much these days.” (Aaron, 42:18)

• Gavin Newsom’s standing: If he wins California’s referendum, could be nominee; loses, he’s done.
• Youth engagement challenge:

  “If you want to get Gen Z motivated...there has to be a complete change in the way you think about young people...We don’t remember President Obama, we don’t remember President Bush. All we know is Donald Trump, Joe Biden, then Donald Trump.” (Aaron, 49:08) “You’re never going to [motivate] until you have a candidate...who actually stands up there and does what they say they’re going to do.” (Aaron, 50:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He [Trump] hasn’t actually accomplished a whole lot...It’s a lot of show and not a lot of action.”
  Aaron Parnas [10:39]

• “This is not a time to pretend there are two sides...not a time to...ignore authoritarian creep...”
  Gov. JB Pritzker via Jessica [16:26–16:46]

• “We don’t remember President Obama...All we know is Donald Trump, Joe Biden, then Donald Trump. ...Stop trying to tell us we’re gonna go back to something we don’t even know.”
  Aaron Parnas [49:08]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:13] – The “Joe Rogan of the Left” comparison
• [03:39] – Trump, the National Guard, and show-of-force politics
• [11:41] – Messaging on crime and Democratic strategy
• [16:26] – Quoting Pritzker on media’s responsibility
• [21:27] – Rise of independent media vs. mainstream
• [26:29] – Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Immigration saga
• [36:48] – 2028 political landscape: Vance, Newsom, future contenders
• [41:19] – DNC’s messaging and digital overhaul
• [49:08] – Generational shift: How Gen Z sees politics

Tone & Overall Take

The conversation is blunt, skeptical, and weary of performative politics—matching the centrist mission of Raging Moderates. Both Jessica and Aaron emphasize substance over spin and express concern about an electorate caught between outrage fatigue and real, creeping authoritarianism. The show ends with a call for politicians to actually deliver on their promises, or risk losing not just elections, but future generations’ engagement.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

You'll come away with a nuanced, sometimes unsettling centrist take on American politics in 2025: skepticism about both parties’ strategies, clear-eyed concern about authoritarian creep, and a strong sense of how young people and the information ecosystem are changing the rules for everyone.