The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

No Mercy / No Malice: Role Models

February 14, 2026

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  • The perceived deficiencies of Donald Trump as a role model are causing lasting damage to future generations by clear-cutting American values, contrasting sharply with the societal growth fostered by positive role models. 
  • Sociologist Robert K. Merton's concept of role models, who serve as behavioral scripts and sources of inspiration, is contrasted with the current political environment where high-prestige figures like Trump can initiate or veto collaboration through cultural learning. 
  • Business leaders are failing as role models by remaining publicly silent about threats to democracy, echoing the historical failure of German industrialists who prioritized self-interest over civic responsibility during the Weimar Republic era. 

Segments

Trump as Negative Role Model
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(00:00:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Donald Trump’s actions, including promoting racist conspiracy theories, are actively damaging American values for future generations.
  • Summary: Ninety percent of Americans believe the president should be a good role model, yet Donald Trump is cited as the antithesis of this ideal. His promotion of a video depicting the Obamas as apes drew widespread backlash, even from allies like Senator Tim Scott. Trump’s crisis management strategy follows Roy Cohn’s playbook: admit nothing, deny everything, and claim victory.
Crisis Management Contrasts
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(00:02:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Effective crisis management requires acknowledging the issue, taking responsibility, and overcorrecting with disproportionate force, unlike Trump’s denial tactics.
  • Summary: The scale of a crisis is determined by the reaction, not just the initial mistake. The better playbook involves plain language acknowledgment and taking responsibility. Trump instead attacked critics like an Olympic skier and Bad Bunny, while ironically expressing performative concern over bad role models despite his own documented associations.
Role Models and Cultural Learning
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(00:04:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Role models, coined by Robert K. Merton, are essential for anticipatory socialization, teaching specific social scripts, and high-prestige individuals dictate group behavior.
  • Summary: Sociologist Robert K. Merton defined role models as individuals whose specific social roles we emulate, leading to anticipatory socialization. Psychologists argue role models motivate by showing what is possible and inspiring action. Anthropologist Joseph Henrick posits humans are hardwired to follow high-prestige role models, who effectively set a group’s agenda through their actions.
Personal Mentorship Example
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(00:09:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Mentorship, exemplified by Cy Sero’s guidance, requires presence and sharing experience, which is more needed than financial success.
  • Summary: Scott Galloway recounts his early financial education from his broker, Cy Sero, who provided consistent, caring mentorship beyond just investment advice. Sero’s actions—calling the host’s mother to offer positive reinforcement—demonstrate the value of presence in mentorship. There is a critical shortage of male mentors, highlighting the need for more men to share their presence with young people.
Historical Parallels and CEO Silence
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(00:11:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Trump’s dehumanizing rhetoric and the silence of corporate leaders create an alarming parallel with the late-stage Weimar Republic.
  • Summary: Historians note that while history doesn’t repeat, it rhymes; America currently rhymes with the late-stage Weimar Republic due to dehumanizing rhetoric against opponents. Studies show an upward trend in violent words in Trump’s speeches, designed to spread anxiety and boost demand for a strong leader. Fortune 500 CEOs are choosing silence and compliance for regulatory benefits, creating a speedway for authoritarianism.