The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Raging Moderates: The Affordability Crisis Trump Can’t Spin

Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Scott Galloway & Jessica Tarlov
Producer: David
Episode Type: Raging Moderates

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Raging Moderates," Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dive deep into the ongoing affordability crisis facing America and dissect how former President Trump is trying—and failing—to spin the narrative. They discuss the real impacts on Americans from rising costs of living, the lack of effective political solutions from both parties, and the political fallout—especially as it relates to the upcoming Texas Senate race and the treatment of women within the GOP. As always, they combine sharp business and political analysis with candid, occasionally irreverent banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Affordability “Blitz” vs. Reality

[04:12 – 08:15]

• Scott lays out the current economic paradox: Trump touts falling gas prices and the supposed benefits of tariffs while critical economic indicators (consumer sentiment, layoffs, looming price hikes) tell a different story.

• White House actions: Opening a price-fixing investigation into imported food and launching a $12B bailout for tariff-impacted farmers.

• Senate Republicans: Division over how to handle ACA subsidies and healthcare aid. No clear solution ahead of an important vote; Democrats firmly push for a clean extension.

• Jessica’s view: Republicans are spinning reality, echoing prior Democratic defenses—“Promises made, promises beyond broken.” Highlights working-class struggles: rising costs for groceries, utilities, healthcare, and declining housing satisfaction.

• Quote

  “Promises made, promises beyond broken. ... Watching Republicans very much do the same things that Democrats did when they were defending an economy that average Americans were screaming from the rooftops is not working for is the height of stupidity.”
  —Jessica Tarlov [05:41]

• Real-world stats:

  • 70% spend more on groceries than last year
  • Huge drop in housing satisfaction
  • US manufacturing contracted for nine months
  • China’s trade surplus at record highs
  • Farmers reject bailouts, want trade (not aid)

2. Can the American Economy Survive Bad Policy?

[08:15 – 12:55]

• Scott’s take: The U.S. economy is incredibly resilient despite “bass ackward” policies. Economic growth is dangerously concentrated among a few tech giants; worries about China “AI dumping.”
• Prescriptions for Affordability:
  • Dramatically increase housing supply (8–10M new homes in 10 years), overhaul zoning, end tariffs on construction (embrace manufactured homes), more government-backed loans for under-40s.
  • “It’s time to nationalize medicine.” Lower Medicare eligibility, slash healthcare costs by at least 25%.
  • Education reform—tie tuition to income, penalize universities hoarding large endowments and not growing class sizes.
  • Strict antitrust enforcement—break up big agriculture, poultry, streaming services.
• Memorable rant:

  “If you want to get serious about affordability, ... you have to go after the biggest increase in CPI, which is housing. ... It’s time to nationalize medicine... The rivers need to reverse for a little bit. So if we’re really going to have an adult conversation around affordability, let’s have an adult conversation. The problem is it’s boring shit that will take years, if not decades.”
  —Scott Galloway [10:10]

3. Broken Data, Broken System

[12:55 – 16:26]

• Jessica: Notes the lack of key government reports (jobs, GDP, inflation) and growing reliance on sketchy data—calls it a dangerous trend paralleling China and Russia.

• Scott:

  “When you don’t have data, as we don’t, we’re trying to land a $25 trillion economy on a hard surface without instruments. ... We don’t know what’s going on. And we’ve become China. ... This is incredibly damaging. We’re flying blind.”
  —Scott Galloway [14:34]

• Impact: Policy uncertainty increases, planning becomes guesswork, voters can’t hold leadership accountable without data.

4. ACA Subsidies – Will Premium Hikes Hit?

[16:26 – 20:56]

• Several bills are on the table to extend ACA subsidies. Republicans remain deeply divided:
  • Some support a two-year, means-tested extension with income caps.
  • Democrats offer a 3-year clean extension.
  • Jessica predicts: Too little, too late; the most likely outcome is subsidy expiration and painful premium hikes for millions.
• Political angle: If subsidies end, could be a political gift to Democrats heading into 2026.
• Heartfelt banter: Both share personal encounters with Senator John Thune—praised for his “very handsome” looks and rare Republican politeness.

5. Women in the GOP: Nancy Mace’s Op-Ed and Congress in Gridlock

[23:54 – 28:05]

• Nancy Mace’s NYT op-ed: Accuses GOP leadership of sidelining women and the rank and file, warns that failure to deliver on key issues will cost the party its majority.

• Jessica: Notes the intentional placement in the NYT, the lack of legislative results (only 5% of bills get a floor vote), and the contrast between current GOP and Nancy Pelosi’s leadership.

• Scott, on Marjorie Taylor Greene:

  “I felt like I was watching an arsonist lecture us on fire safety. I just think it’s so ridiculous that she has the gumption to pretend to be a moderate. ... Good riddance.”
  —Scott Galloway [26:31]

• Both hosts reflect on the real "do-nothing" status of this Congress and the risk of political exodus ahead of midterms.

• Prediction Markets: Scott highlights Kalshee’s odds—65% chance Speaker Johnson is out before midterms.

6. Texas Senate Race: Crockett vs. Talarico

[30:51 – 40:22]

• Democratic primary heats up:
  • James Talarico (centrist, faith-forward) vs. Jasmine Crockett (progressive firebrand).
  • Colin Allred exits, clearing the path for a Talarico/Crockett matchup.
  • Early polling favors Crockett, but Talarico may be more electable statewide.
• Jessica: Worries a high-profile progressive candidacy (Crockett) could nationalize the race, make it harder to win in purple/red Texas, and give ammunition to right-wing media.
• Scott: Admires both—puts his money behind both candidates.

  “I just think she’s courageous, compelling, unafraid, smart. I just think she’s outstanding. ... I want to bring more attention to young rising stars in the Democratic Party. I absolutely love both of them.”
  —Scott Galloway [34:10]

• On the GOP side: John Cornyn faces tough primary challenges, including from AG Ken Paxton.
• David (producer): Sides with Talarico on substance, notes Crockett’s launch video was not affordability focused.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott’s prescription for housing:

  “Get rid of NIMBY laws and replace them with YIMBY laws. Manufactured homes take the tariffs off. China get some incredible innovation around new construction that lowers the cost by 50 or 60%.”
  [09:30]

• On nationalizing medicine:

  “It’s time to nationalize medicine. ... That massively increases affordability.”
  —Scott Galloway [11:20]

• Jessica’s Republican leadership frustration:

  “Too little, too late, right? There’s no surprises in this. It’s just that she’s saying it out loud and in the pages of the New York Times, which is a very intentional place to put this op ed.”
  [24:32]

• On Texas Democrats’ prospects:

  “Texas is not a blue place. It’s like, on an amazing day, it’s purplish, right? And it’s usually red and on the right.”
  —Jessica Tarlov [36:56]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:12] — Main Topic Introduction: Affordability Crisis & Trump’s Spin
• [05:41] — Jessica critiques GOP spin on affordability and tariffs
• [10:10] — Scott’s housing, healthcare, and education affordability proposals
• [14:34] — Broken data and economic policy “flying blind”
• [16:26] — ACA subsidies extension debate and premium hike risk
• [23:54] — Nancy Mace’s NYT op-ed and women in the GOP
• [26:31] — Marjorie Taylor Greene on 60 Minutes commentary
• [27:54] — GOP midterm predictions; Speaker Johnson’s job security
• [30:51] — Texas Senate primary: Talarico vs. Crockett
• [34:10] — Scott: “I absolutely love both of them.”
• [36:56] — Jessica cautions about nationalizing Texas races
• [39:33] — On Democrat primary: “We wanna win the big one.”

Tone & Style

• Candid, witty, irreverent: Scott and Jessica banter with humor and frankness, often veering into bold rants and sharp political analysis.
• Centrist, pragmatic: Both scrutinize the failings and hypocrisy of both parties, pushing for actual, workable policy instead of slogans.
• Data-driven, occasionally exasperated: The hosts rely on hard numbers and are open about their frustration with the slow pace of meaningful reform.

Conclusion

This episode puts the spotlight on America’s affordability crisis, the political finger-pointing and policy shortcomings surrounding it, and why neither party is offering real solutions. In classic "Raging Moderates" style, Scott and Jessica move seamlessly from policy analysis to political gossip (with self-deprecating asides), ultimately illustrating just how complex—and dire—the economic and political landscape has become. Their closing discussion on the Texas Senate race underscores both the opportunity and risks for Democrats as 2026 approaches.