Podcast Summary: Raging Moderates – Can Democrats Criticize Trump’s Invasion Without Defending Maduro?

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Jessica Tarlov (Guest hosting for Scott Galloway)
Guest: Ben Mysalis (Co-founder, Midas Touch Network)

Episode Overview

This special "Raging Moderates" episode, hosted by Jessica Tarlov with guest Ben Mysalis, centers on the high-stakes US operation that deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the challenging political, legal, and ethical questions it poses for Democrats. They examine how US intervention is viewed at home and abroad, its implications for democratic norms, and how moderates should respond. The conversation also covers the resignation of Minnesota’s governor amid a fraud scandal and the new California billionaire wealth tax proposal, all through a centrist, values-driven lens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Venezuela Operation and US Foreign Policy (01:30–22:51)

a. Maduro’s Ouster: Legality and Politics

• Ben quickly identifies the US action as an "unlawful invasion":
  • “I immediately didn’t hesitate in calling it an unlawful invasion...Was there congressional authorization for it? Yes or no? There was not. Does our Constitution require that there be congressional authorization? ...You absolutely require congressional authorization. Therefore, it’s an invasion that is unlawful.” (04:11)
• Democrats face a political trap: How to oppose an unauthorized operation without being seen as defending Maduro.
• Trump and the GOP claim the operation is law enforcement, not “regime change,” but Democrats objected to the process and lack of briefing.

b. The “Spheres of Influence” Geopolitics

• Tarlov and Mysalis discuss the overlooked role of China, Russia, and Iran in Venezuela.
  • Jessica: “Our biggest adversaries are operating in our backyard... China [has] control of Venezuelan mining... Iran has drone manufacturing facilities. They use Russian radar array systems.” (07:41)
• Rubio’s remarks signal American acceptance of “spheres of influence,” potentially ceding European and Asian leadership to Russia/China.
  • Ben: “America's not the leader of the world...America controls the West, Russia controls [its] territory...” (11:42)

c. The New Power Structure in Venezuela

• Delsey Rodriguez, former VP, is now in power—seen as a possible Trump/CIA puppet.
  • Ben: “Trump claims he's running it and that he’s got a team of people who are basically puppeteering Delsey Rodriguez...” (04:35)
• Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado’s fractured alliance with the US, and lingering threats for pro-democracy activists.
• No clear democratic transition in sight—contradicts European calls for new elections.

d. Media and Public Response

• Public polling shows little support for viewing Venezuela as a security threat; Americans are disengaged from the issue.
  • Jessica: “Is Venezuela a major threat to US security? 13% said yes. 76% say no...” (19:32)
• Trump’s disdain for oversight and Congress is underscored as a marker of democratic decline.
  • Jessica: “We know that Donald Trump has no respect for congressional oversight...” (20:02)

2. Moderates’ Political Dilemma and Strategy (22:51–27:57)

• Democrats must avoid sacrificing core principles, regardless of political gain or loss.
  • Ben: “You call it out, whether you believe it’s a winning issue or not a winning issue. Because that's what you do as leaders and what you do as good people.” (22:51)
• The challenges of communicating empathic leadership versus right-wing demagoguery are discussed.
• Both speakers emphasize the need for authenticity and valuing people’s real-world struggles.
  • Ben: “I'm listening to you, I hear you. Let me know what you're going through and how can we try to find solutions to these problems...” (27:02)

3. Minnesota’s Governor & Fraud Scandal Fallout (29:13–39:00)

• Gov. Tim Walz resigns to “avoid being a distraction” amid a welfare scandal, despite no personal wrongdoing.
  • Ben: “...He said, to the extent I'm a distraction and I'm holding down the ticket, I don't want to be a distraction anymore...” (30:25)
• Scandal became a national flashpoint due to right-wing disinformation and a viral video.
• Media environment asymmetry: Viral sensationalism on X (Twitter) dwarfs more measured coverage.
  • Ben: “It was being covered everywhere as though it was the Super Bowl of news stories... the attention that was given [to] his... because on Twitter, Elon Musk reposted, JD Vance reposts it...” (33:17)
• Democrats struggle to defend against coordinated disinformation and lack real-time, aggressive media countermeasures.
  • Jessica: “Democrats don’t have a good media strategy to protect Democrats and fight back against bad information.” (38:19)

4. The Progressive Media Ecosystem & Democratic Messaging (39:00–43:33)

• Midas Touch’s success is attributed to focusing on values (not just politics) and authentic engagement, resonating beyond the US.
  • Ben: “The core values and principles that we talk about are relatable on an international human level to combat a lot of the forces happening on the right wing.” (40:31)
• Far-right narratives are coordinated across borders, making authentic, hopeful messaging more vital.
• Democrats must speak directly to voters’ fears and needs, not merely repeat poll-tested talking points.
  • Ben: “I've rarely seen a politician look into the camera and say, 'I care about you. I hear you, I'm listening to you...'” (42:50)

5. California Billionaire Tax Proposal & Inequality (44:21–51:15)

• Rep. Ro Khanna backs a proposal for a one-time 5% tax on California billionaires; Silicon Valley’s elites are furious.
  • Ben: “I think that there should be one... I think first you have to start off with saying why is there basically subsidies for billionaires and a welfare program for billionaires built into our tax code.” (44:43)
• International context: Many European countries scrapped wealth taxes for being hard to administer and of limited fiscal impact.
• The proposal would fund healthcare and safety-net programs; debate centers on equity, practicality, and political feasibility.

6. 2028 Democratic Prospects & Closing Thoughts (51:15–54:47)

• Possible 2028 frontrunners: Newsom (governor’s path), Senators (accountability/investigation path), or a surprise, outsider, democratic socialist.
  • Ben: “I think right now the favorite would be a Governor Newsom...” (53:44)
  • “...it's gonna be everybody can say their piece...moderate... more left... let the people decide.” (54:17)
• Both agree: The next galvanizing Democratic leader might be someone few are thinking about now.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Ben Mysalis:
  • “Leaders need to lead, not ultimately come up with a position that they think is going to be palatable. Your position as the leader should be grounded in values and principles.” (04:00)
  • “If you directly want to trace a program that was sculpted by somebody without the safeguards...it could be a trillion dollars in missing money that nobody knows where it is.” (34:52)
  • “You call it out, whether you believe it’s a winning issue or not...Because that’s what you do as leaders and what you do as good people.” (22:51)
  • “I've rarely seen a politician look into the camera and say, 'I care about you. I hear you, I'm listening to you.'” (42:50)
• Jessica Tarlov:
  • “Is Venezuela a major threat to US security? 13% said yes... 76% say no explanation from the administration on what Trump is doing has been given.” (19:32)
  • “Democrats don’t have a good media strategy to protect Democrats and to fight back against bad information.” (38:19)
• On Moderation and Political Values:
  • Jessica: “We are seeing the reaction from European nations...the Danish prime minister spoke out yesterday basically saying that NATO will end if Donald Trump does this, if he pushes forward and tries to take over Greenland.” (12:24)
• On Messaging:
  • Jessica: “Healthcare over private jets seems like a pretty easy sell to basically everyone that votes except a few of the private jet owners.” (51:15)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:30 – 04:11: Intro to Maduro’s arrest and Ben’s legal framing
• 07:41 – 12:24: China, Russia, Iran’s role and US “regional superpower” debate
• 14:33 – 19:32: Venezuela’s opposition, US involvement, legitimacy concerns
• 19:32 – 22:51: US public reaction, Trump’s disregard for oversight, Democratic messaging dilemma
• 29:13 – 33:35: Minnesota fraud scandal, right-wing media amplification, resignation of Gov. Walz
• 39:00 – 43:33: Building a progressive media ecosystem, core values, messaging
• 44:21 – 51:15: California billionaire tax, global history, economic inequality framing
• 51:15 – 54:47: 2028 Democratic primary scenarios
• 54:47 – End: Wrap-up, plugs, and closing thoughts

Tone & Language

Jessica and Ben are conversational yet sharp, openly critical of hypocrisy across the political spectrum, and direct about values. Humor appears in their mutual ribbing of Scott Galloway’s vacation habits and the over-the-top nature of American politics, but the tone grows earnest when addressing democracy, economic hardship, and media disinformation.

Memorable Moments

• Ben’s analogy of Trump as a vessel for broader right-wing international forces, not a one-off anomaly.
• The candid assessment of moderates’ fraught position: “Look like you’re defending the Constitution without looking like you’re defending Maduro...” (03:21)
• Exposing the viral video economy and the profound asymmetry in left/right media infrastructure.

Conclusion

This wide-ranging, values-driven episode offered a nuanced, centrist breakdown of how moderates—and Democrats more broadly—should approach complicated international interventions, domestic scandals, and the politics of inequality. Jessica Tarlov and Ben Mysalis highlight the need for leadership grounded in core principles, authentic engagement, and a revived media ecosystem capable of countering right-wing disinformation.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides a comprehensive overview of the major topics, key arguments, and the centrist values approach advocated throughout.