President-elect Trump’s inauguration featured a prominent display of billionaires, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, signaling a potential prioritization of the wealthy in his administration. Progressive critics decried the presence of these individuals, citing their history of allegedly exploiting workers and the record-breaking $200 million in corporate and lobbying donations to the inauguration. This, coupled with Trump’s proposed cabinet appointments—at least 13 billionaires—further fuels concerns about an administration serving the interests of the ultra-wealthy rather than working-class Americans. The incoming administration’s potential combined net worth exceeding $460 billion underscores these worries.
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Donald Trump’s administration, featuring numerous billionaire appointees with a combined net worth of roughly half a trillion dollars, represents a new era of “plutocracy on steroids.” This unprecedented concentration of wealth, fueled by neoliberal policies and asset booms, contrasts with historical patterns where the wealthy were viewed with suspicion and held societal responsibilities. This new plutocracy, exemplified by the intertwining of power and money, mirrors historical parallels in Russia but differs in the lack of overt coercion to maintain loyalty. Ultimately, this system poses risks, as foreign powers could exploit the administration’s vulnerabilities by targeting the financial interests of its wealthy members.
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Elon Musk’s participation in a call between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked a wave of outrage and concern among many Americans. This seemingly innocuous conversation has stirred up deep anxieties about the potential for unchecked influence and the dangers of billionaires wielding power in foreign affairs.
Many people are expressing their concern over Musk’s close relationship with Trump, attributing his access to the former president to his financial contributions, a form of bribery that undermines democratic principles. They view his involvement in international affairs as a recipe for disaster, particularly given Trump’s history of erratic behavior and his tendency to prioritize his own interests above those of the nation.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood