Oct 22, 2026 · 52 min
Young voters test the durability of Trump’s coalition
Trump Defends Vivek Ramaswamy as Disgusting Ad Sparks GOP Backlash
The episode connects election math, youth polling, foreign policy, and political backlash to a central question about the GOP’s changing coalition.
- 1House and Senate control may turn on competitive races, while Trump’s approval numbers create openings for Democrats.
- 2Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad becomes a case study in how cruelty can generate political liability rather than strength.
- 3Polling suggests young voters, including young men, are moving away from Trump, Republicans, and prominent manosphere figures.
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The hosts dissect a heated Michigan Senate debate between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, focusing on attacks involving the Muslim Brotherhood and constitutional messaging.
The brief
Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov preview the fight for House and Senate control, then test whether Trump’s weak approval numbers leave Democrats room to recover.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad draws attention to his opponent’s personal history, prompting a broader argument over whether conservative politics mistakes cruelty for strength.
The hosts examine youth polling that shows strong Democratic support among 18-to-29-year-olds and declining favorability toward Trump, Republicans, and prominent manosphere figures.
They debate the risks of pressuring Ukraine toward a settlement, including the consequences for Western support and NATO, alongside Elon Musk’s political spending and oversight prospects.
A heated Michigan Senate debate between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers becomes the episode’s sharpest test of attack politics, constitutional messaging, and voter perception.
The closing argument is less about one election than coalition durability: economic disappointment may be pushing young men away from the political figures who courted them.
Books & mentions
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