The Prof G Pod: Raging Moderates

Episode Title: Things Are Getting Real Fascist (ft. Aaron Parnas)
Air Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Jessica Tarlov (subbing in for Scott Galloway during “Scot Free August”)
Guest: Aaron Parnas (Political Strategist, Content Creator, TikTok Journalist)

Overview

In this week’s Raging Moderates, Jessica Tarlov sits down with lawyer and social media political influencer Aaron Parnas for a centrist but cutting look at American politics under Trump’s second term. The conversation balances critique, historical context, and media savvy as they dissect recent authoritarian moves — particularly the specter of National Guard deployments in blue cities and the weaponization of immigration law. The episode focuses as much on what the media and Democrats are doing (or failing to do) as it does on Trump’s increasingly brazen style of governance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Does the Left Need a Joe Rogan? (01:44–03:33)

• Aaron reacts to being called “the left’s upgrade to Joe Rogan”:
  • “I don’t try to be that…Joe Rogan is a Fear Factor host turned podcaster. I don’t think the left needs Joe Rogan.” (Aaron Parnas, 01:49)
• Jessica:
  • There’s value in a “battle-tested” left media figure, but Democratic wishcasting around finding a progressive Joe Rogan skips acknowledging that Rogan himself is a complex figure who has toggled between supporting Sanders and Trump.
• Insight:
  • The conversation highlights how Democratic media lacks a unifying, populist figure — but also interrogates whether that’s desirable or realistic.

2. Trump’s Use of National Guard & Escalating Authoritarianism (05:24–12:11)

• National Guard in Blue Cities:
  • Trump is threatening to deploy the National Guard in Chicago, claiming he can “solve crime in a week.” He signed an executive order for specialized units to address “civil disturbances.”
  • Jessica questions if Trump can constitutionally do this and what precedent exists (05:24).
• Aaron’s Response:
  • “He does have the right to declare a national emergency… Ultimately, this Supreme Court has given significant executive leeway to the Trump administration.” (Aaron, 05:24)
  • But, much of this is for show: “Even the deployment of the National Guard, these Guardsmen are just walking around the city… They’re there for show.”
• Atmosphere in DC:
  • “It’s really dystopian… seeing armed military personnel just walking right beside you.” (Aaron, 05:24)
  • National Guard members "don’t have a choice” but to follow orders (06:17).
• Larger Implications:
  • Aaron sees this as a set-up for military presence at polling sites in 2025/26 — “He’s going to have military members watching polls in certain blue states where he thinks the election is rigged.” (Aaron, 07:21)
  • Jessica emphasizes: “Everything we were upset about or concerned about is actually coming to fruition and it’s too late.” (Jessica, 07:29)

3. Democratic Response, Media Narratives, and Bread & Butter Issues (12:11–16:23)

• Jessica:
  • Democrats need to “respond to everything he’s doing on a kind of day-to-day basis and call it out… but at the same time continue this overwhelming narrative of he's trying to take over American life.” (Jessica, 12:11–14:27)
  • Points to research suggesting tariffs and Medicaid as breakthrough economic topics for voters, not abstract democracy threats.
• Aaron:
  • Modern media virtue cycles mean issues fade quickly; a dual approach is needed: call out daily offenses and continuously push structural economic arguments (14:27).
  • “Democrats don’t necessarily need a viable message or opposition right now… Republicans were talking about Mr. Potato Head. A year later, they won the House.” (Aaron, 14:27–16:01)

4. The Media’s Role in the Authoritarian Creep (16:56–22:21)

• JB Pritzker’s Callout:
  • “This is not a time to pretend here that there are two sides to this story… [Don’t] fall back into the reflexive crouch… ignore authoritarian creep.” (Pritzker via Jessica, 17:03)
• Normalization of Trump:
  • If Biden “said just 2% of what Donald Trump says on a daily basis, the 25th Amendment would have been invoked years ago.” (Aaron, 19:47)
  • Media shrugs off Trump gaffes and rants, but would crucify a Democrat for the same.
• Mainstream vs Independent Media:
  • “Mainstream media’s role… is becoming more and more obsolete… people turn to independent media, and for better or for worse…” (Aaron, 21:50)

5. Immigration and the Kilmar Abrego Garcia Saga (28:40–37:09)

• Case Recap:
  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported, re-apprehended, now facing “third country” deportation to Uganda with no connection there.
  • Aaron: “I don’t know why they chose Kilmar and they’re like, we’re gonna literally torture this family…” (Aaron, 29:30)
  • The attempt to deport to Uganda is due to a technical loophole—Uganda is one of the few accepting “third country” deportations.
  • Aaron predicts: “I actually think that they’re going to lose here. I think the Maryland judge is gonna say… you can’t deport him while he has this criminal case pending…” (Aaron, 30:33)
  • Jessica notes public attention — especially Sen. Van Hollen’s advocacy — shifted the polling and Trump is losing the immigration narrative: “In any given poll, he’s down five to fifteen points when it comes to illegal immigration.” (Jessica, 33:13)
• Bigger Picture:
  • Trump’s immigration blitz is haphazard, not strategic, leading to legal slip-ups and bad optics: “It’s just, it’s stubbornness. I mean, he can back off for four more months… but he’s not gonna do that.” (Aaron, 36:56)
  • Aaron warns this will damage the GOP brand in 2026 and 2028.

6. GOP Succession & 2028 Presidential Field (38:59–41:41)

• Jessica & Aaron speculate:
  • Vance seen as the future of the GOP—unless Tucker Carlson jumps in: “If Tucker Carlson ran, then I think he has a real, real good shot.” (Aaron, 39:37)
  • The base is fractured between MAGA isolationists and “plain talking” conservatives, with figures like Vance and Carlson attracting significant followings.
  • “I think Tucker Carlson could be the nominee if he ran, but that’s up to him.” (Aaron, 41:04)

7. Democratic Messaging & the 2028 Bench (44:09–50:34)

• DNC’s New Tech & the “Trump-Light” Strategy:
  • “DNC is overhauling campaign tech… for the first time in nearly 20 years.” (Jessica, 44:44)
  • Discussing Gavin Newsom as “Trump-light” — trolling Trump online, taking up aggressive redistricting.
  • Aaron: “I don’t think the DNC needs to be run properly. I don’t think the DNC really plays a fact in any election.” (Aaron, 45:08)
  • “Democrats are just not aligned on much these days… They love finding problems when there aren’t any… especially within their own party.” (Aaron, 46:00)
• Nominee Speculation:
  • Aaron: “If Newsom wins his referendum in November, I think he’ll be the nominee. If he loses… I don’t think he has a shot in hell.” (Aaron, 47:55)
  • Jessica doubts Shapiro (anti-Semitism and Israel conflict), suggests Wes Moore might run, and speculates about a “curveball” (Mark Cuban).

8. Unlocking the Youth Vote & The New Normal for Gen Z Politics (50:34–54:11)

• Jessica asks how to engage Gen Z:
  • “Donald Trump’s already lost 20 points with Gen Z voters… we’re kind of back to the normal Biden levels.” (Jessica, 50:54)
  • “For so many Young voters… they’re completely disenchanted with the political process writ large.” (Jessica, 51:21)
• Aaron’s Prescription:
  • “We don’t remember President Obama, we don’t remember President Bush. All we know is Donald Trump, Joe Biden, then Donald Trump. Donald Trump is politics to us.” (Aaron, 51:58)
  • Stop referencing “the old normal” — instead, create tangible results: “When we tell you we’re going to forgive student loans, we’re actually going to do it… Until you have a candidate who actually stands up and does what they say they’re going to do.” (Aaron, 53:16)
  • Delivering real change will unlock youth engagement more than slogans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s showmanship:
  • “It’s a lot of show and not a lot of action… He likes to say all talk, but no action.” (Aaron Parnas, 11:16)
• On media normalization:
  • “The media shrugs off Trump gaffes and rants, but would crucify a Democrat for the same.” (Aaron Parnas, 19:47)
• On the state of the DNC:
  • “I don’t think the DNC needs to be run properly.” (Aaron Parnas, 45:07)
• On youth and politics:
  • “All we know is Donald Trump… Donald Trump is politics to us.” (Aaron Parnas, 51:58)

Important Timestamps

• 01:44 — “The left’s upgrade to Joe Rogan?” — the meme and its reality
• 05:24 — Legal and political mechanics of sending National Guard into Chicago
• 14:27 — Dual-pronged Democratic strategy: respond daily, repeat economic narratives
• 17:03 — JB Pritzker’s challenge to the press ("tell it like it is")
• 28:40–37:09 — The saga of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the failures of Trump’s immigration machinery
• 39:37–41:04 — Speculation on J.D. Vance, Tucker Carlson, and the future GOP
• 44:44 — DNC tech update and the challenge of party infrastructure
• 51:58 — “Trump is normal for us” — Gen Z’s political coming-of-age

Conclusion

With rising authoritarian moves in the Trump White House, Democratic disarray, and the mainstream media’s struggle to calibrate its response, this episode offers both a warning and a roadmap for centrists and progressives. Aaron Parnas provides not just critique, but also detailed, generational context—reminding listeners that for millions, the Trump era is the political normal. Real solutions, accountability, and authenticity, both in deeds and messaging, are held up as the only way forward for Democrats hoping to recapture the imagination of disillusioned voters.

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