Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov Republicans Confront the Epstein Files (ft. Rep. Don Bacon)
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Sep 5, 2025 
Rep. Don Bacon, a five-term Congressman from Nebraska with a rich background in the Air Force, discusses his departure from politics amid shifting Republican values. He candidly reflects on his opposition to Medicaid cuts while navigating a controversial budget reconciliation. The conversation dives into the implications of the Epstein files release, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the struggles faced by Midwestern soybean farmers. Bacon stresses the need for bipartisan cooperation and a renewed focus on moral clarity in U.S. foreign policy.
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Peace Depends On Security Guarantees
- Bacon says Ukraine may accept compromises only with security guarantees from NATO or the U.S. and needs military aid and sanctions to change Putin's calculus.
- He frames the solution as enabling Ukraine so Russia realizes it cannot win.
A Reagan Conservative's Exit
- Bacon describes himself as an unchanged Ronald Reagan Republican who believes in alliances, free trade, and peace through strength.
- He cites 30 years in the Air Force and ten years in Congress as his public-service arc before retiring to spend time with family.
Consider Service Beyond Congress
- Bacon says he'd accept service in a future administration if he could keep his values intact and serve on national security.
- He plans to support candidates who align with postwar Republican principles like Nikki Haley and others.