About this episode

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov discuss the implications of Donald Trump's influence on the GOP and the evolving political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov take a high-level look at the 2026 landscape as Republicans continue centering their messaging almost entirely around Donald Trump. Scott and Jessica examine whether the GOP has developed any coherent platform beyond Trump himself — and whether voters may finally be tiring of the constant culture-war politics and personal attacks. And, as California heads into a major statewide primary election featuring hotly contested races for Gavin Newsom’s successor governor, and for Los Angeles mayor — where former reality star Spencer Pratt has had a surprisingly high appeal with voters. Meanwhile, Graham Platner — the presumptive Democratic nominee for Senate from Maine, who’ll be vying to beat Susan Collins this November— faces more scrutiny, after reports surfaced that he sent explicit texts to other women early in his marriage. Scott and Jessica debate whether political scandals still matter in modern campaigns — or whether voters are more willing than ever to write off “purity tests.” They also unpack growing tension between Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance amid reports Trump privately doubts Vance’s political strength and future as a MAGA…

People in this episode

Hosts: Scott Galloway, Jessica Tarlov

Topics covered

• 2026 midterms
• Republican strategy
• political scandals
• California primary
• MAGA movement
• culture wars
• voter sentiment

Keywords

• Trump
• Republicans
• political scandals
• California election
• Graham Platner
• MAGA
• Bernie Sanders

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• Trump's “Little Excursion" in Iran Becomes a 100-Day Disaster · June 8, 2026 · 53 min
• A Rare Republican Break With Trump Raises New Questions · June 4, 2026 · 43 min
• The Hidden Costs of Trump’s Hollowed-Out Foreign Policy · June 2, 2026 · 48 min
• Trump Cornered On Iran, Newsom Pushes Back on Slush Fund · May 28, 2026 · 46 min

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