More social mobility in UK than US
On the 250th anniversary of US independence, there is now reportedly more social mobility in the United Kingdom than in the United States.
Snapshot · The Rest Is Politics: US
198. Trump's War On Europe: No Way Back?
Explore episode
Jun 22, 2026
Where this was said
Introductions: Joe Scarborough Joins Katty Kay
At 4:02 · chapter starts 2:38
With Anthony Scaramucci at a literary festival in the south of England, Katty Kay turns to Joe Scarborough — co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe and former Republican congressman from Florida — to fill the seat. The introduction is warm and playful: Kay stacks up Scarborough's many former identities, and the pair laugh about the social mobility of Southern state schools versus the fading cachet of Ivy League WASPy pedigree. Scarborough reflects that going to Washington and Lee before ending up in Florida turned out to be a blessing — it gives him licence to mock Trump administration officials with Southern state-school credentials. The banter sets the tone for a conversation that will be equal parts analytical and candid.
Similar snapshots
SF average rent up 18% in 2 years
San Francisco's average rent rose 18% over the past two years to $3,728/month, surpassing New York City as the most expensive rental market in the country.
SF average rent: $3,728/month
San Francisco's average monthly rent now stands at $3,728, surpassing New York City to become the most expensive rental city in the United States.
Bobby walked 7 miles with dicks drawn on face
At a childhood sleepover, Bobby Lee's friends drew penises on his face and he walked 7 miles home on a dirt road before being picked up by Eric Purvis's mom.
World poverty: 60% in 1950 vs 10% today
In 1950, about 60% of the world lived in extreme poverty; today it's about 1 in 10, attributable to capitalist economic growth.
6M US children fell into poverty 2021–24
From 2021 to 2024, 6 million children fell below the poverty line in the US after the expanded child tax credit expired.
Private adoption costs $40,000–$70,000
Private domestic infant and international adoptions typically cost $40,000 to $70,000, while foster care adoption is the most affordable route at $0 to $2,000.
Only 40% of men have ever reproduced
Historically, only 40% of men have ever reproduced — Galloway uses this to argue that romantic success requires effort, not a hall pass.
7th of 10 children
Robby Hoffman is the 7th of 10 children raised in a Hasidic household in Montreal, where the family was poor and comedy was a survival mechanism.
No concept of 'too soon'
Robby's Hasidic community had no concept of 'too soon' in comedy — if it was funny, you threw it, and if you bombed, your sibling told you immediately.
