Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Episode: Trump Targets the Left After Kirk Murder
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Vox Media Podcast Network
Overview
This episode delves into the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the subsequent political and cultural fallout. Scott and Jessica provide a centrist analysis on the resurgence of cancel culture—now weaponized by the right—Trump’s crime crackdowns in major American cities, and Democratic leadership’s hesitations in the face of shifting political currents. The conversation is punctuated by frustration with political extremism, concern over civil liberties, and candid critiques of institutional dysfunction.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Right's Embrace of Cancel Culture (02:39–06:05)
- Topic: MAGA’s use of cancel culture and hypocrisy in condemning the left while engaging in similar tactics.
- Jessica Tarlov: Asserts the right has always participated in cancel culture via boycotts and amplifying grievances, despite portraying themselves as victims of suppression.
“For people who are being silenced, they sure have a lot of control of the government and our media organizations.” (02:44)
- Media Amplification: MAGA influencers targeting anyone critical of Kirk after his death, calling them "poisoners of America's youth."
- Free Speech Concerns: AG Pam Bondi’s call to prosecute “hate speech” goes against First Amendment tradition and even Kirk’s own positions.
- Emotional Impact: Jessica voices fear for the precedent being set and the apathy around civil liberties:
"Last week we were all shocked and sad about what happened… But this week I'm terrified.” (05:20)
2. Free Speech, Hate Speech, and Campus Culture (06:05–15:15)
- Scott Galloway: Argues for broad free speech protections, even when rhetoric edges toward the hateful or incendiary.
“Pretty much anyone should be able to say pretty much anything about pretty much anybody.” (06:14)
- Campus Issues: Acknowledge a lack of resilience in students and increasing mental health concerns, but reject equating “words with violence.”
"Universities are meant to be safe places physically and dangerous places intellectually.” (08:34)
- “Conflict Entrepreneurship:” Both sides use outrage for political gain, but current conservative efforts weaponize Kirk’s death for institutional crackdowns without evidence.
“Pushback. And what you have here is… powerful people, elected representatives on the right… trying to drum up this false narrative…” (12:51)
- Profile of Shooters: Most political violence isn’t ideologically motivated but comes from “young men, extremely online, lacking guardrails.”
3. Flaws and Failures in Law Enforcement and Media (15:15–22:35)
- Jessica Tarlov: Critiques the quick assignment of political motives to the shooter and FBI Director Kash Patel’s mishandling of communications and investigation:
“Cash Patel… has been such an enormous flop... the FBI does not communicate on fucking Twitter.” (19:27–20:32)
- Online Radicalization: The real crisis is digital-nativist, nihilistic young men—not coordinated leftist conspiracies.
- Morality Tests and Over-Reach: Recent firings, visa denials, and job loss threats for “wrong” posts point to dangerous government overreach.
4. Trump’s National Guard Deployments and the Politics of Crime (24:41–30:25)
- Scott Galloway: Summarizes Trump’s justification for military deployments, citing lower crime rates in D.C., but scrutinizes these figures and strategic motives.
- Jessica Tarlov: Raises alarm about normalizing the militarization of U.S. cities and overriding local governance.
“There’s no respect for free and fair elections... we're going to have a national emergency in D.C. if Bowser says she wants the troops out, and then you’re going to have it creeping all over the country.” (26:12)
- Scott Galloway: Argues Democratic leaders’ focus on virtue signaling opens the door for authoritarian tactics, reframing crime policy as justifiable cover for election interference.
"This is normalizing the militarization of our cities such that when elections come… [Trump] can justify … sending in the National Guard to change elections, decrease turnout." (29:03)
5. Democratic Messaging and Policy Gaps (30:25–31:55)
- Jessica Tarlov: Calls out Democrats’ lack of proactive policy and messaging, especially on crime and affordability, which weakens them against attack narratives.
“Trend lines going in the right direction. But again, that's not a great bumper sticker.” (31:33)
6. Governor Hochul’s Endorsement of Mamdani & Democratic Fractures (33:53–42:49)
- Scott Galloway: Introduces the late endorsement of Democratic Socialist Zoran Mamdani by Governor Hochul.
- Jessica Tarlov: Explains Hochul’s delay as pragmatic—balancing powerful donors’ discomfort and respect for the primary’s winner. Notes Mamdani’s attempts to moderate views, particularly after being pressed by Al Sharpton on issues of antisemitism.
“Mamdani was not my choice, but you have to respect the democratic process even when it doesn’t go your way.” (36:51)
- Scott Galloway: Expresses skepticism about Mamdani’s operational abilities and policy positions but sees little genuine choice among the major candidates.
"I'm frustrated that only these three people could make each other viable.” (42:25)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Weaponized Cancel Culture:
- Jessica Tarlov: “The right has always been pretty into cancel culture. They just packaged it up as a problem of the left.” (02:39)
- On Free Speech:
- Scott Galloway: “If you want to honor [Kirk’s] memory, it’s a lesson in free speech.” (06:30)
- On University Discourse:
- Scott Galloway: "If words offend you, then you need to call your parents, have them come get you…” (08:34)
- On FBI Mishandling:
- Scott Galloway: “The FBI, much less the director of the FBI, does not communicate on fucking Twitter.” (20:09)
- On National Guard Deployments:
- Jessica Tarlov: “It’s all this predicate for militarizing the country… there’s no respect for free and fair elections.” (26:12)
- Scott Galloway: “This is normalizing the militarization of our cities…” (29:03)
- On Democratic Dysfunction:
- Jessica Tarlov: “Lowest inflation rate in the G7 doesn't win you a general election. And our trend line is going in the right direction on crime is also a very tough sell.” (31:39)
- On Hochul & Mamdani:
- Jessica Tarlov: “You have to respect the democratic process even when it doesn’t go your way.” (36:51)
- On the Menu of Candidates:
- Scott Galloway: “I’m frustrated that only these three people could make each other viable.” (42:25)
Key Timestamps
- 02:39 – The right’s adoption and rebranding of cancel culture
- 05:20 – Jessica’s fear for the future and concerns about hate speech prosecution
- 06:05–08:34 – The fine line between hate speech and free speech, especially on campuses
- 15:15–19:27 – Breakdown of investigative failures and political opportunism in the Kirk case
- 24:41–27:41 – National Guard deployments: crime-fighting or political theater?
- 29:03–30:25 – Militarization of politics as electoral tactic
- 33:53–42:49 – The Mamdani endorsement, progressive anxiety, and party fractures
Tone & Final Thoughts
Scott and Jessica’s discussion is urgent, candid, and at times exasperated, reflecting the frustration of moderates caught between political extremes. Their analysis is rich in institutional critique, concern for civil liberties, and the need for pragmatic, effective politics.
The episode offers a nuanced centrist perspective for listeners seeking informed commentary beyond tribalist soundbites.