Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov The Rise of Conspiracy Politics in Trump’s America (ft. Astead Herndon)
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Apr 29, 2026 
Astead Herndon, political journalist and Vox editorial director known for covering national politics, joins to unpack conspiracy politics, shifting MAGA loyalties, and the media’s shrinking agenda-setting power. They hit Iran war timelines, the Supreme Court’s map ruling, and how institutional distrust and demographic shifts are reshaping the electorate.
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Administration Scrambling Over Iran Strategy
- Pete Hegseth's testimony revealed a White House scrambling to justify a war with no clear exit strategy.
- Astead Herndon says timelines and explanations have flailed, showing an administration unprepared for predictable retaliation and consequences.
Tariffs Drove Early Erosion Of Trump Base
- Tariffs were the initial policy decision that began eroding Trump’s support among some voters by spiking inflation.
- Herndon links summer polling drops to tariff-driven price pain like higher grocery and fertilizer costs.
Epstein Undermined Trump’s Outsider Brand
- The Epstein revelations punctured Trump's outsider image and weakened his ability to set the agenda.
- Herndon argues many supporters projected an anti-establishment Trump but saw evidence he sought acceptance in elite circles.