Resist and Unsubscribe with Gov. Tim Walz

Summary of Resist and Unsubscribe with Gov. Tim Walz

by New York Magazine

1h 16m•March 10, 2026
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Overview of Resist and Unsubscribe with Gov. Tim Walz

This episode was a live Pivot/On stage event recorded at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis featuring hosts Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway with special guest Governor Tim Walz. The conversation centers on recent federal actions in Minnesota (ICE and related federal responses), accountability for public officials (notably Kristi Noem), the political and policy aftermath of Minnesota scandals around social services, Democratic strategy and organizing, and Scott Galloway’s “Resist and Unsubscribe” consumer-driven campaign to pressure tech and corporate behavior.

Topics covered

  • Kristi Noem’s departure from federal role, and calls for investigations and accountability
  • ICE/federal enforcement presence in Minnesota and local responses
  • Distinction between fraud and corruption related to Minnesota social service scandals
  • Democratic Party strategy: delivering results vs. norm-bound politics
  • Gov. Walz’s political future and priorities for Minnesota
  • Scott Galloway’s “Resist and Unsubscribe” campaign: economic strikes via unsubscribing/subscription exits
  • Corporate leadership and the risk/benefit calculus for CEOs pushing back on federal pressure
  • News quicktakes: Target’s response to immigration detentions, Anthropic labeled a DoD supply-chain risk, Elon Musk/Twitter litigation, anti-trans laws in Kansas
  • Cultural/economic observations: OnlyFans per-capita spending in Minneapolis and Scott Galloway’s “theory of horny” about masculinity, social isolation, and economics

Key takeaways

  • Accountability and investigations: Walz argues that what happened in Minneapolis (and related abuses) crosses constitutional and human-rights lines and requires investigations, potential indictments and trials, and accountability that reaches “to the top” (he links responsibility to Trump-era policies).
  • Local organizing mattered: Walz credited the community, grassroots organizers, neighbors, and everyday Minnesotans (carpools, PTOs turned food banks, parents protecting schools) with forcing federal actors to back down—advice to other mayors/governors: follow and protect organic local leadership and “stay in your lane.”
  • Distinguish fraud vs. corruption: Walz emphasizes that Minnesota’s social-service scandals involved corruption and theft (with prosecutions) and that the state will tighten pre-approvals and oversight without dismantling social programs.
  • Democratic strategy: Walz argues Democrats should be bolder, break norms when needed to deliver tangible wins (healthcare, paid family leave, child tax credits) and create direct links between policy wins and voter enthusiasm.
  • Resist & Unsubscribe as civic tool: Galloway positions non-participation (cancelling subscriptions) as a powerful, low-friction economic strike that can shift corporate incentives; the site has driven millions of visits and a measurable unsubscribe rate without paid promotion.
  • Corporate leadership gap: Both hosts argue many CEOs are reluctant to “go first” under political pressure; coordinated, collective action among large firms would be more effective than isolated statements.
  • Civic engagement reminder: Both Walz and the hosts repeatedly stress the most important lever is voting and sustained community organizing.

Notable quotes

  • Scott Galloway: “The most radical act in capitalism is non-participation.”
  • Gov. Tim Walz: “Somebody has to pay. Somebody has to pay a price.” (on accountability)
  • Walz on corporate silence: “We need spine, not spin.”
  • Walz: “When you’re in elected office… this was a blatant violation of human constitutional rights of Minnesotans.”
  • Galloway on social leverage: “If you unsubscribe from ChatGPT… four people unsubscribing is about a $40,000 hit to market cap.”

Segment highlights

  • Gov. Walz on Kristi Noem: Felt personally betrayed by her shift after Trump’s influence; calls for investigations and accountability and notes that “following orders” historically doesn’t absolve perpetrators.
  • Advice to local leaders: Emphasize community-led responses, protect immigrant communities, avoid cooperating with federal enforcement that targets immigrant paths to citizenship, and be ready to act quickly.
  • Scott’s Resist & Unsubscribe report:
    • Built a site that simplifies unsubscribing from major subscriptions.
    • Claims ~1.5–2 million unique visits so far, ~5% unsubscribed conversion for visitors.
    • Launched a calculator estimating economic impact of individual unsubscribes and plans to focus upcoming campaigns (example: ChatGPT) and hire full-time staff to sustain momentum.
  • News reactions:
    • Target CEO missed an opportunity to take a strong stand; criticized for “spin.”
    • Anthropic labeled a DoD supply-chain risk; tensions between AI firms and government continue.
    • Elon Musk’s Twitter trial could cost him heavily; panelists debated enforcement limits when penalties are small relative to wealth.
    • Kansas law invalidating many trans driver’s licenses and adding civil “bounty” mechanisms drew sharp criticism.
  • Cultural discussion: Minneapolis ranks very high per capita for OnlyFans spending; Scott used it to discuss loneliness, male behavior, and a call for men to “level up” socially and personally (his “rule of threes” for young men).

Recommendations / Action items (what the hosts encouraged listeners to do)

  • Visit resistandunsubscribe.com and unsubscribe from at least one subscription you don’t need; share your action on social media to amplify economic impact.
  • Support local organizations (e.g., Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota) and volunteer at community food banks, PTOs, or mutual-aid efforts.
  • Contact and push elected officials for investigations, transparency and accountability where abuses occurred.
  • Vote—and turn out others to vote. Hosts emphasized voting as the primary tool for systemic change.
  • Consider reducing exposure to harmful social-media platforms if they affect mental health (hosts described personal benefits from leaving Twitter/X).

Production/context notes

  • Live event format with audience Q&A and extended banter; the tone shifts between policy seriousness and comedic/colloquial moments.
  • Hosts: Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway; featured guest: Governor Tim Walz.
  • Event benefit: proceeds supported the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.
  • The episode mixes news commentary, policy advocacy, campaign organizing tactics, and cultural commentary—useful for listeners interested in contemporary civic action strategies and Minnesota’s recent crises.

If you want a one-line summary: live discussion with Gov. Tim Walz and Scott Galloway focusing on accountability for federal actions in Minnesota, community-led resistance, and using consumer unsubscribes as an economic lever to pressure tech and corporate actors—paired with calls to vote and sustain local organizing.