Jessica Tarlov and Aaron Parnas are back for Raging Perspective with 39 days until the midterms.
With mortgage rates hitting 7%, diesel prices at historic highs, and gas up 27% year-on-year, the affordability crisis is now front and center in the final stretch — and a growing number of Republicans, including Senate hopefuls in Michigan and Iowa, are publicly breaking with Trump over the Iran war, rising prices, immigration operations, and the questions around funding for Don Jr.’s wedding after-party. Aaron and Jessica debate whether voters will actually buy a last-minute pivot from candidates who followed Trump blindly for years.
The Supreme Court has also just cleared the Trump administration to use sensitive federal data to help states identify people deemed ineligible to vote; Aaron and Jess discuss the possible impacts and why this ruling isn’t that surprising.
Days after banning CNN, Politico, and MSNOW from the White House, the administration launched “Trump TV” — a 24/7 YouTube stream drawing comparisons to state media in China and North Korea, with tiny ratings so far. A federal court ordered Trump to reverse the press ban, and reporters from the three outlets were allowed back into the White House yesterday — but CNN and MSNOW were then denied access to cover guest arrivals at the Xi state dinner the same night. Where does press freedom go from here?
On the Xi state dinner itself: protesters were outside, tech CEOs filled the room, and Trump asked guests if anyone wanted to see the ballroom construction. Aaron reacts.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed he has considered the remote possibility of a U.S. invasion, following the escalation of Trump’s trade war and increasing hostility from Washington. What does it say that the leader of America’s closest neighbor is speaking about this publicly?
AOC told the New York Times this week that she’ll decide after the midterms whether to run for president in 2028 — and that she’s aware being a Latina woman could impact her electability. Aaron breaks down the interview, and outlines her potential options.
And finally: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker publicly revealed this week that he’s lost 80 pounds on a GLP-1 medication. They discuss the buzz around Pritzker’s presidential ambitions and the general chances for state governors.
PLUS: Jess and Aaron take listener questions.
Join us next Wednesday at 12pm ET for the next edition of Raging Perspective.
