Real Coffee with Scott Adams

Episode 3097 - The Scott Adams School

Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features the news crew's spirited discussion of current political and societal events through the "persuasion filter" lens, a key hallmark of Scott Adams' commentary. With Scott Adams temporarily away, the team—led by Erica with Marcella, Owen, and Sergio—analyzes topics like election integrity, the upcoming midterms, economic changes, and the state of political persuasion, all while emphasizing the central theme: "Build or Collapse."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering Jesse Jackson

[04:03–04:25]

• Jesse Jackson's passing at age 84 is acknowledged. The hosts recognize his decades-long influence as a civil rights leader, collaborator with MLK, founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, two-time presidential candidate, and sometimes controversial figure.
• Quote - Erica:
  “His legacy reflects both his role in advancing civil rights and the debates that often surrounded his activism.”
  [04:19]

2. The "Build or Collapse" Theme

[05:57–09:31]

• Marcella frames the episode: in every context, the current moment is about choosing to build (progress, order, solutions) or collapse (decline, chaos, failure).
• Refers to JD Vance’s Fox News interview, highlighting the contrast between leadership that constructs (Trump, strong borders, order) vs. policies or administrations seen as destructive.
• The crew draws explicit lines: will America choose to "build" via policy, persuasion, and participation, or wither by default and inaction?

3. The Battle for the Midterms

[09:31–16:30]

Strategy & Stakes

• There is palpable concern about illegal immigration, rising crime, and the strategic importance of the midterms.
• Worry that if Republicans ("MAGA") fail to win, progress under Trump could be erased—especially via impeachment efforts and executive order reversals.
• Quote – Erica:
  "If we don’t win the midterms… nothing’s going to matter. We’re just going to be stuck."
  [09:59]

Voter Mobilization & Persuasion

• Discusses tactics such as motivating non-voters by making it a "prank" or personal mission.

• Owen points out the structural Democratic advantages (redistricting, census changes, celebrity fundraising).

• Quote – Owen:
  “Right now, on PolyMarket, it’s something like 83% think that we’re going to switch to Democrat control of the House.”
  [12:41]

• The importance of concrete promises and speaking to economic pain is underscored: "You have to speak to the issues that are still there, things like affordability. The economy is going to be pretty much everything." (Owen, 13:47)

4. "Build vs. Collapse" as a Persuasion Frame

[16:31–19:59]

• Sergio extols framing the political choice as building versus collapsing, arguing it transcends traditional party lines or personal loyalties:
  Quote – Sergio:
  “We are not aligning ourselves behind a person or a party or even Trump. We are aligning ourselves with the common sense of building instead of destruction.”
  [17:22]
• Analogy drawn to Bear Grylls’ “The Island,” highlighting visible contrasts between different approaches and outcomes.

5. Student Loan Reform

[22:13–26:14]

• Owen reports recent student loan changes, shifting from extensive subsidies to requiring minimum payments and extending forgiveness timelines.
• General agreement that these reforms restore financial accountability and prevent universities (or loan servicers) from gaming the system.
• Marcella:
  “If you take out a loan, you have to pay for it. Nobody should pay for anybody else’s loan.”
  [24:30]
• Sergio notes this will help restore the real value of an education and improve financial literacy.

6. The SAVE Act and Election Integrity

[26:25–37:55]

What is the SAVE Act?

• Marcella explains: Requires proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, passport) to vote, a response to reports of non-citizens and fraudulent voters.
• Details the legislative process: it passed Congress, is stalled in the Senate by a likely filibuster (needs 60 votes to break). Senator Mike Lee advocates for a "talking filibuster" to force public debate.

Filibuster Debate

• Crew debates whether to eliminate (or "nuke") the filibuster for essential bills:
  • Owen and Sergio: “Nuke it and build, stop the collapse.”
  • Marcella: Defends the filibuster as a needed check, even if it frustrates short-term goals.

Racial & Gender Narratives

• Marcella and Erica critique narratives claiming minorities or women struggle disproportionately with voter ID laws, calling such claims condescending and “racist.”
• Erica:
  “Everything you do in this world, you need an ID.”
  [33:46]

7. Economic Narrative and Messaging Worries

[37:57–49:39]

Economic Achievements

• Owen relays economist Steve Moore’s update:
  • Median income up $2,400 last year.
  • Tax cuts delivered $1,400 per family.
  • Inflation stabilizing at 2.4%.
  • Trump “proved 22 Nobel Prize scientists wrong on the economy.”
• Skepticism persists about whether voters feel real improvement in day-to-day life.
• Erica:
  “How do we convince those people? Listen, don’t abandon the plan… the alternative is more crime in the streets, danger, losing who we are.”
  [40:00]

Framing the Message

• Erika and Sergio discuss persuasion strategies, including contrasting "what America avoided" versus "what America is suffering now"—to increase voter patience and hope.

• Sergio suggests the narrative of “construction” is important:
  Quote – Sergio:
  "Construction is intrusive, right?...but whoever is navigating the ship is doing a good job balancing things, so it's not a complete crash."
  [45:19]

• Owen floats the idea (rhetorically) of a Trump-backed “tariff rebate check” directly to voters—a tangible sign of progress, despite potential for renewed inflation.

8. Election Fraud Exposed: Nick Shirley

[49:51–58:54]

• Marcella recaps investigative journalist Nick Shirley’s work in California, exposing blatant voting roll fraud:
  • Dogs and 125-year-olds voting.
  • Addresses at public storage units, UPS boxes registered as voting domiciles.
  • Demonstrates how the system is designed for manipulation—especially in states without ID requirements.
• The panel lauds Nick’s courage and encourages others to expose local fraud—emphasizing this is about protecting the country’s future, not partisan point-scoring.
• Erica (on Nick Shirley):
  “He’s in his 20s and he’s fearless... fighting for this country and its integrity, which is shot right now.”
  [54:51]
• Consensus: Voting fraud is real, systemic, and demands action like the SAVE Act.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Builder Collapse. Your choice.” (Marcella, 05:57)
• “We are aligning ourselves with the common sense of building instead of destruction.” (Sergio, 17:22)
• “If we don’t win the midterms… nothing’s going to matter. We’re just going to be stuck.” (Erica, 09:59)
• “If you take out a loan, you have to pay for it. Nobody should pay for anybody else’s loan.” (Marcella, 24:30)
• “We need the SAVE Act to pass in the Senate… for election reform. Basically, what we’re asking for is for US citizens to only be allowed to vote. Whoa.” (Marcella, 26:25)
• “Everything you do in this world, you need an ID.” (Erica, 33:46)
• “He’s in his 20s and he’s fearless...fighting for this country and its integrity, which is shot right now.” (Erica, 54:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Jesse Jackson Tribute | 04:03–04:25 | | Build vs. Collapse Theme Introduced | 05:57–09:31 | | Midterms & Voter Mobilization | 09:31–16:30 | | Persuasion Framing: Building vs Collapse | 16:31–19:59 | | Student Loan Reform Discussed | 22:13–26:14 | | The SAVE Act & Filibuster Debate | 26:25–37:55 | | Economic Progress & Messaging | 37:57–49:39 | | Nick Shirley Exposes Election Fraud | 49:51–58:54 |

Tone & Style Notes

• Conversational, energetic, sometimes wry or irreverent.
• Panel leans openly right/conservative but regularly discusses persuasion frames and how to reach those outside the base.
• Willingness to debate among themselves, especially on tactics (e.g., filibuster).
• Frequent appeals to viewers to be “useful,” engaged, and proactive—mirroring Scott Adams’ recurring advice.

Conclusion

The episode offers a vivid snapshot of grassroots conservative strategy and concerns in 2026, blending analysis, persuasion, personal stories, and calls to action. With Scott Adams’ direct presence missing, the panel maintains his tradition of looking at news through a “persuasion” lens—asking listeners, in all things, whether they want to build or collapse, and urging them to engage productively to secure America's future.