Trump Caves to Putin as Democrats Surge Before Midterms

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov open the final two weeks before Election Day — with early voting starting today in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Texas. Democrats are up 8 points on the congressional ballot in a new Ipsos poll, Trump’s disapproval rating sits at 66%, and a new Wall Street Journal poll finds Democratic voters aren’t sold on a leftward shift. Kalshi gives Sherrod Brown a 66% chance of winning back his Senate seat in Ohio, and Abdul El-Sayed has got a 68% chance of winning in Michigan.

Trump has waived new sanctions and tariffs on Russia required under a law he previously signed — two days before they were set to take effect, claiming he needs to keep Moscow at the negotiating table. Putin has proposed a three-way meeting with Trump and Xi Jinping next month to discuss Ukraine on terms favorable to Moscow. Meanwhile Trump is blaming Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for high diesel prices after Ukraine struck a Russian oil export terminal in St. Petersburg as part of its biggest drone campaign of the year. Jess breaks down whether any of Trump’s justifications hold up — and whether the Ukraine situation is being used to distract from the unresolved Iran conflict. Trump also just endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election. Is there anything surprising about that?

Scott and Jess also talk about Vice President JD Vance’s comments about the Iran war during a Michigan town hall, and what this might signal for Republicans trying to manage public sentiment heading into the midterms.

Plus, Jess and Scott take listener questions.

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