NYU professor and co-host of Raging Moderates podcast Scott Galloway called Donald Trump’s decision to stage a UFC event on the White House lawn “brilliant,” a stance that visibly surprised his co-host Jessica Tarlov.
When the topic came up on the podcast, Tarlov criticized the idea of constructing an octagon on the South Lawn, calling it “gross” and “so ugly.” Galloway, however, saw the move very differently.
“I actually think it’s brilliant,” Galloway said. “A big part of the reason that Trump won was testosterone, and that is the government has increasingly been feminized and starched and somewhat deluded and somewhat lacks all tensile strength. And I think he saw the opening.”
Galloway went on to argue that a cultural frustration among men helped shape Trump’s 2024 victory.
“Not only are a lot of young men really struggling who tend to be swing voters in this nation,” he said, “but there’s still a large portion of women in our nation who will vote for whoever they perceive is better for their husbands or their sons.”
“And there’s a general feeling in America across moderates and people on the right,” Galloway continued, “that America has slowly become very anti-male and has implemented a series of policy and vibes that are detrimental to the well-being of their sons, their brothers, and their husbands.”
Despite praising the political strategy, Galloway made it clear he personally dislikes the kind of masculinity the event projects.
“I think it’s the wrong type of performative masculinity,” he said. “I personally don’t watch UFC. It’s an incredible league and incredible business, but I just don’t. I have a difficult time watching these young, incredible men beat each other up. I find it physically rattling.”
Still, he maintained that the optics work in Trump’s favor.
“I think it’s a very smart move for him,” Galloway said. “I think it says to Trump and Trump voters and moderates that I’m bringing tea back to leadership and I think it’s very effective.”
Galloway also revealed that he had personally declined an invitation to attend the event.
“I was invited to this event and I said no,” he said. “I don’t want to do anything that in any way legitimizes what I see as a corrupt family running the country.”
