Pope's Pushback, Orban's Concession, and Bessent's Anthropic Warning

What It Covers

Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway cover five major stories: Trump's attack on Pope Leo XIV, Viktor Orban's electoral defeat in Hungary after 16 years, the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Treasury Secretary Bessent warning banks about Anthropic's unreleased Mythos AI model, and Eric Swalwell's resignation from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Key Questions Answered

• •Iran Negotiation Dynamics: The US entered Iran talks without understanding the opposing side's incentives. Iran had strategic reasons to extend negotiations — time to rearm, lay mines, and strengthen IRGC positioning. Galloway draws a direct parallel to the WGA strike, where Netflix benefited from prolonged conflict. Recognizing which party benefits from delay is essential before entering any high-stakes negotiation or conflict.
• •Strait of Hormuz as Leverage: By not securing Gulf allies or establishing clear military objectives before escalating against Iran, the US inadvertently handed Iran control of a critical global chokepoint. The Strait handles hundreds of billions in cargo. Galloway argues the correct move now is a multinational blockade of Iranian ports, forcing China and European allies — who have more economic exposure — to the table.
• •Power Imbalance and Workplace Conduct: Galloway proposes a clear, no-exception rule: any elected official or senior executive who engages in sexual relationships with staff should be removed, regardless of consent claims. The power differential over someone's livelihood creates institutional risk that outweighs individual circumstances. The Swalwell case illustrates how widely known misconduct can persist when no structural enforcement mechanism exists.
• •Anthropic's Mythos Model Risk: Treasury Secretary Bessent met with top US bank executives and Fed Chair Jerome Powell to warn about Anthropic's unreleased Mythos AI model, flagging cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Anthropic itself has restricted access to a small group of testers. Financial institutions should treat advanced AI model exposure as a systemic risk category, not just a technology procurement decision, given its potential to find vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure.
• •Citizens United and Political Corruption: Elon Musk donated $10 million to Republican super PACs, then the FTC investigated ad firms that had avoided Twitter — those firms subsequently settled. Galloway frames this as a direct return on political investment. Until Citizens United is overturned, 300 individuals now account for one-fifth of all PAC spending, enabling billionaires to strategically deploy capital to neutralize regulatory threats against their businesses.
• •Democratic Backsliding Indicator — Hungary: Viktor Orban's defeat, with Hungary recording its highest voter turnout since the fall of communism, signals a measurable rejection of far-right governance in Central Europe. Orban immediately conceded and called his opponent. Galloway frames peaceful electoral concession as the foundational requirement of democracy — and notes that a 16-year authoritarian ruler demonstrated more institutional fidelity than multiple current US Republican officials and judicial nominees.