Pivot

Tariff Turmoil, Trump's Netflix Threat, and SOTU Predictions

with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway
24 Feb 2026 5 min read 1h 5m
TL;DR

Trump's Supreme Court tariff defeat has forced him to explore legal workarounds while raising questions about refund payouts. The episode explores escalating political pressure on corporate boards—exemplified by Trump's Netflix ultimatum regarding Susan Rice—and how Democrats are strategizing for the State of the Union response.

Key Moments
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript available] Kara and Scott discuss Trump's tariff defeat at the Supreme Court and his scramble for workarounds”
Opening segment on the legal and political implications of the tariff ruling
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript available] Trump pressures Netflix to fire board member Susan Rice or face consequences”
Discussion of Trump's ultimatum to Netflix regarding Susan Rice's board position
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“[No transcript available] Billions in refunds may never get paid out following tariff reversal”
Analysis of financial fallout and refund mechanisms after the Supreme Court tariff defeat
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript available] Democrats weigh strategies for State of the Union response”
Political strategy discussion for Democratic response to upcoming address
[No transcript — approximate]
“[No transcript available] Scott explores updates on his Resist and Unsubscribe campaign”
Scott Galloway discusses progress on his ongoing media and corporate accountability initiative
About the show
›
Pivot is a weekly podcast hosted by Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway that breaks down the week's biggest news in tech, media, and politics. The show cuts through the noise with sharp analysis and informed debate on how technology intersects with power, policy, and culture. Kara and Scott bring decades of experience covering Silicon Valley, business, and the intersection of tech and society.
Takeaways
1
Supreme Court blocks tariffs; workarounds remain unclear Trump's tariff agenda suffered a major legal defeat, but the administration is exploring alternative executive mechanisms to implement trade restrictions. The uncertainty around implementation and refund mechanisms creates ongoing policy and market volatility for tech and consumer companies.
2
Political pressure on corporate board independence Trump's direct ultimatum to Netflix over Susan Rice's board seat represents an escalation in political interference with corporate governance. This signals a broader pattern where political figures leverage pressure on boards to influence company direction and personnel decisions.
3
HALO stocks bet on policy winners Investors are positioning in companies expected to benefit from Trump administration policies, reflecting market expectations around tariffs, deregulation, and political alignment. Tech investors should monitor which sectors are being hedged or bet on as policy uncertainties resolve.