After a demoralizing election loss, the Democratic Party is deep in the throes of debate and finger-pointing as it figures out what it wants to actually be in the years ahead: a party of working Americans, or one of CEOs and billionaires. Donald Trump’s side, meanwhile, has already made up its mind: it’s going with the CEOs and billionaires. Everything we’re learning about the incoming administration’s plans from insiders make very clear this is going to be a government of, by, and for big business.
Trump’s advisers have told Axios that on day one, the incoming president is going to push “a business-friendly agenda of tax cuts, deregulation and expanded energy production,” and “will fill his top ranks with billionaires, former CEOs, tech leaders and loyalists.” Reportedly in the works are plans to slash corporate tax rates further, deregulate a variety of industries like crypto, artificial intelligence, and big banks, and push out anti-monopoly Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan to make way for more corporate consolidation.
This is hardly surprising, since Trump has already handed the reins of his presidency over to the corporate elite. Trump’s transition is being led by two millionaire donors to his campaign: Linda McMahon, who as former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO racked up a long record of screwing over workers (and may be rewarded further with the commerce secretary post), and trading firm Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, who financially cut off the families of his employees killed in the September 11 attack just one day after crying on national television over their deaths. Trump’s just-named chief of staff is a corporate lobbyist who has worked for tobacco, insurance, and coal companies. A couple of hedge fund managers are in the running to be his treasury secretary.
These are just a few of the billionaires and executives quietly shaping Trump’s future presidency behind the scenes, including…
Auteur: Branko Marcetic
