Obama’s Cheesecake Factory Roast Sends Trump World SPIRALING
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica TarlovSummary
As Election Day approaches, both major parties ramp up their efforts to mobilize voters, with notable celebrity endorsements shaping the landscape. Nicki Minaj publicly supports Trump and MAGA candidates, while former President Obama campaigns for Democrats, highlighting the stark contrasts in their messages. With around 30 million Americans having already voted, Democrats appear to be gaining traction in key Senate races, particularly in Alaska, where Democrat Mary Peltola is projected to have a strong chance of winning.
Amidst the political fervor, discussions about the implications of celebrity involvement in elections arise. While such endorsements may energize party bases, they may not sway undecided voters. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of trust in political leaders, with polls indicating a significant portion of Americans suspecting self-serving motives behind policy decisions. This erosion of trust could have lasting effects on voter engagement and turnout.
In international news, Israel's elections are set to take place against a backdrop of heightened tensions and significant voter turnout. The potential for a change in leadership raises questions about the future of Israeli policy and its relationship with the United States. Meanwhile, in Brazil, President Lula's recent electoral victory defies trends in Latin America, signaling a possible shift back toward progressive governance in a region that has leaned right in recent years.
As the political climate evolves, the focus remains on the pressing issues of affordability, healthcare, and corruption, which resonate deeply with voters across the United States. Candidates like Joanna Mendoza, running for Congress in Arizona, emphasize the need for responsible governance and fiscal accountability, reflecting the concerns of their constituents as they navigate the complexities of the upcoming elections.
Show Notes
Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov cover key elections, at home and abroad, in the leadup to the U.S. midterm elections.
With Election Day one week away, both parties are bringing out their celebrity firepower. Nicki Minaj is backing Trump and MAGA candidates — and is reportedly being considered for press secretary. Meanwhile, Barack Obama campaigns for Democrats, mocking Trump’s gold-heavy White House renovations. Is the Right feigning outrage over the former president’s “Cheesecake Factory” characterization?
Beyond the celebrity cameos, around 30 million Americans have already voted, and Democrats are making up a larger share of early voters in key Senate races. Trump is suing states over election rules, threatening election officials and offering $1 million for tipoffs that lead to voter fraud convictions. Despite these efforts, Kalshi odds show Democrats have a 65% chance to take back the Senate. But with seven toss-ups projected, both parties are relying on voter turnout. Will Democratic efforts be enough to deliver the “blue wave” many have predicted?
Looking abroad, Brazilian incumbent leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva clinched a narrow victory over far-right opponent Flávio Bolsonaro. The result put an end to the wave of conservative wins in Latin America since Trump took office in 2025. Could this signal a change in global politics?
And in Israel, voters are heading to the polls today in the first election since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party and former IDF chief-of-staff, is running against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Jessica points to the tens of thousands of Israeli expats flying home to vote as a sign the country is ready for a change.
Finally, JoAnna Mendoza joins the show to talk about her candidacy in Arizona’s 6th District, where she faces a tight race against incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani. She discusses major issues facing her district, including high cost-of-living and Medicaid cuts. Will financial strain be enough to sway Latino voters in the state, who helped carry Trump to victory in 2024?
For ad-free episodes, exclusive livestreams, and to connect with Scott, Jessica, and the Raging Moderates community, join us at ProfG+ on Substack: https://ragingmoderates.profgmedia.com/
Get The Monday Rage newsletter: https://profgmedia.com/s/monday-rage/
Follow Raging Moderates on IG, Tiktok, and Facebook:
https://www.instagram.com/ragingmoderatespod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@ragingmoderates
https://www.facebook.com/ragingmoderates
Follow Jessica Tarlov on Instagram, Substack, and Bluesky:
https://instagram.com/jessicatarlov
https://substack.com/@jessietarlov
https://bsky.app/profile/jessicatarlov.bsky.social
Follow Scott on Instagram, Substack, and Bluesky:
https://instagram.com/profgalloway
https://substack.com/@profgalloway
https://bsky.app/profile/profgalloway.com
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Live from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Scott Galloway, Jessica Tarlov, and Larry Sabato break down the final stretch of the midterms. With Election Day just one week away, they discuss the battle for control of Congress, Trump’s impact on Republican candidates, shifting voter attitudes, and what the results could mean for the 2028 presidential race.
Could Democrats and independents pull off shocking upsets in some of America’s reddest states? Jessica Tarlov and Scott Galloway sit down with three underdog candidates fighting to challenge Republican power ahead of the midterms.
Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov talk through the latest polls, numbers, and close races 12 days before Election Day. Trump’s approval rating has hit a new low — just 36% among likely voters in the latest NYT/Siena poll. And in South Carolina, a new poll has Republican incumbent Darline Graham with only a 3-point lead over Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews — a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1998. Trump was on the campaign trail there yesterday. Is this panic — or smart politics?
Jessica Tarlov and Aaron Parnas open with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is facing backlash after praising Vladimir Putin during talks in Moscow, even as Russian forces continue to bombard Ukrainian cities and kill civilians. Russia also released a 74-year-old American citizen from a Russian prison after seven years. Is that a sign of good faith or a negotiating chip?
Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov open the final two weeks before Election Day with the latest on some of the midterms’ most closely-watched races. They talk about some of the latest numbers — including the stat that Kalshi gives Democrats a 64% chance of retaking the Senate.