Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Trump Pauses Iran Strikes as Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Comes Under Fire

2026-07-27

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov open the week with the latest news on Iran: U.S. strikes are on hold, with Trump pausing major escalation amid growing concerns from advisors about diminished air defense munitions stockpiles in the Middle East. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz addressed the stockpile issue publicly this week, blaming it on former President Biden. Meanwhile, a separate and deeply troubling story: the Pentagon has quietly lowered its official count of U.S. troops killed in the Iran war on its website....

Meanwhile, a separate and deeply troubling story: the Pentagon has quietly lowered its official count of U.S. troops killed in the Iran war on its website. Scott and Jessica break down what to make of that.

Also under scrutiny: new reporting reveals that Hegseth's pick to lead the Navy, Admiral Daryl Caudle, was previously the subject of an inspector general investigation — and was represented by an attorney who is currently a special adviser to Hegseth himself. What toll will this culture of corruption wreak on the future of the U.S. military?

With less than 100 days until the midterms, Scott and Jessica take stock of where Democrats stand. In Maine, Troy Jackson is now the official Senate nominee, and leads Kalshi markets at 62% to win the seat. But nationally, the DNC is facing ongoing concerns about a cash shortage — even as individuals like Hakeem Jeffries and John Ossoff are raising significant sums.

Republicans have circulated a new version of a major cryptocurrency bill — the CLARITY Act — but the sticking point is the ethics clause. The Trump family has made over $2.3 billion through crypto ventures since the start of the second term, and Senate Democrats want a provision addressing that conflict of interest. Will it pass?

Finally, the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner was held Friday and Trump used the occasion to go after CNN's Kaitlan Collins. Should this event get cancelled?

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