10% rise in housing prices = 1% drop in birth rates
Every 10% increase in housing prices is associated with a 1% decrease in birth rates, illustrating housing's sweeping societal impact.
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Jun 30, 2026
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Trump Blocks the Bipartisan Housing Bill
At 41:30 · chapter starts 40:35
Kara Swisher reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson is sending the landmark housing bill to the White House days after Trump abruptly canceled the bill-signing ceremony. The bill passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, 358-32 — a ratio Scott Galloway notes is almost unheard of in today's Congress. [1] — Scott Galloway "Housing bill passed 358-32 in Congress: The landmark housing bill passed both houses with overwhelming bipartisan support, 358 to 32, yet T…" 42:22 Trump says he won't sign until Congress passes his SAVE Act requiring photo ID and ending mail-in voting. Kara notes the Constitution provides a path around him: if Trump doesn't sign within 10 days, the bill becomes law; if he vetoes, Congress likely has the votes to override. [2] — Scott Galloway "10% rise in housing prices = 1% drop in birth rates: Every 10% increase in housing prices is associated with a 1% decrease in birth rates, …" 41:30 Scott argues housing affordability is one of America's most consequential crises, referencing Finland's housing-first homelessness strategy — just build cheap housing — and citing research linking every 10% housing price increase to a 1% drop in birth rates, reduced coupling, and lower self-esteem. He characterizes the bipartisan bill as 'weak sauce in specifics but a powerful symbolic movement in the right direction,' and says Trump blocking it is straightforwardly self-defeating — he should put on a tool belt and take credit.
Trump Blocks a Veto-Proof Housing Bill — And It's Just Stupid
A bipartisan housing bill passed 358-32 and is effectively veto-proof, but Trump is holding it hostage for his SAVE Act on voter ID. Finland's approach — just build cheap housing — shows 10% housing price increases cut birth rates 1%. Scott Galloway says blocking this bill is simply stupid.
Finland homelessness strategy: just build housing
Finland took the approach of simply building cheap housing rather than focusing on mental health or veteran affairs, and dramatically reduced homelessness.
Housing bill passed 358-32 in Congress
The landmark housing bill passed both houses with overwhelming bipartisan support, 358 to 32, yet Trump is blocking it to leverage his SAVE Act.
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SF average rent up 18% in 2 years
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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.
