Attorneys Report Trump Pardons Now Cost $2 Million Each
"The quotes in that Atlantic piece from lawyers who say that they know that for about $2 million that you can get a pardon— at one point I think it was up to $6 million— I guess he's discounting because he's, you know, on one foot out the door."
About this episode
On this episode of Raging Moderates, hosts Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dissect a series of consequential Supreme Court rulings and their implications for American politics. The marquee case involved birthright citizenship, where the Court struck down Trump's executive order 6-3, though both hosts questioned why the administration pursued the obviously unconstitutional measure. More alarming to the hosts was a campaign finance ruling that eliminated the last federal limits on political party spending in coordination with candidates—extending Citizens United to remove all remaining guardrails on dark money. Galloway made explosive predictions that Trump orchestrated SpaceX's NASDAQ inclusion to generate up to $160 billion in personal wealth, which he forecasts will be weaponized with $10 billion deployed into midterm elections. The conversation turned heated around transgender sports, with Galloway arguing Democrats' position on the issue three years ago cost them the 2024 election by alienating middle America, while Tarlov acknowledged the party has since recalibrated its messaging. Both agreed the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling upholding state bans was legally predictable. Tarlov cited Atlantic reporting that Trump pardons are now being openly priced at $2 million by attorneys, down from $6 million, as the president plans 250 pardons for July 4th. The episode covered Colorado primaries, where progressive challengers are mounting generational change campaigns against 30-year incumbents, and celebrated the FIFA World Cup as a rare unifying American moment precisely because Trump is not involved. Galloway disclosed his 1990s business rivalry with Colorado Governor Jared Polis, contrasting their divergent trajectories with self-deprecating humor.
Key takeaways
- Galloway alleged Trump manipulated SpaceX NASDAQ inclusion to generate up to $160 billion in personal wealth for potential $10 billion midterm spending.
- Supreme Court's 6-3 campaign finance ruling eliminated last federal limits on party coordination spending, extending Citizens United to political parties.
- Tarlov cited Atlantic reporting that attorneys are openly pricing Trump pardons at $2 million each, down from previous $6 million rates.
- Galloway argued Democrats' 2021 position on transgender athletes in women's sports cost them the 2024 election by alienating middle America.
- Supreme Court struck down Trump birthright citizenship executive order 6-3, though hosts questioned why administration pursued obviously unconstitutional measure.
- Colorado primaries feature progressive challengers mounting generational change campaigns against 30-year Democratic incumbents in deep blue districts.
- Both hosts celebrated FIFA World Cup as rare unifying American moment, attributing success partly to Trump's absence from coverage and events.