NYU professor and podcast host Scott Galloway made a striking prediction on Friday's "Pivot" podcast: Donald Trump might forgo a 2024 presidential run in exchange for a plea deal. Galloway's co-host, Kara Swisher, reacted with audible surprise, questioning the basis of his bold claim, a moment highlighted by Mediaite.
Galloway referenced similar speculation from Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and current GOP presidential candidate, suggesting Christie might even surpass DeSantis as the second-strongest contender, though ultimately it wouldn't matter given his prediction about Trump. Galloway stated he doesn't personally relate to Trump, but believes he understands the mindset of wealthy older men. He painted a picture of Trump returning to a life of leisure, implying this would be a preferable outcome. He further suggested the looming threat of prison would be a powerful motivator for Trump to accept a deal.
Galloway theorized that Trump's current political momentum serves as leverage to negotiate a plea deal that avoids jail time. He speculated that authorities might be inclined to offer such a deal to avoid further disruption and division within the country. Galloway emphasized the potential severity of even a short prison sentence for someone of Trump's age.
As context, Galloway noted Trump's existing legal battles: his not-guilty plea in April to charges from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office regarding alleged hush money payments, and his June indictment on 37 federal counts related to classified documents.
Swisher reiterated the significance of Galloway's prediction, emphasizing its uniqueness. Galloway concluded by outlining a scenario where the DOJ, recognizing the potential chaos of a Trump candidacy and subsequent legal battles, offers a plea deal in exchange for his withdrawal from the political arena. This, he argued, would be a beneficial outcome for all parties involved, preventing further polarization and potential unrest fueled by Trump's supporters and detractors.
