Victoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Nov 14, 2024

[thread 3/x] Existential threat of billionaires
[thread 2/x] https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113346390093945554
parent: https://mastodon.social/@persagen/112810230899017402

Return of Privatization of Everything
https://inthepublicinterest.org/the-return-of-the-privatization-of-everything

* Trump2 an accelerant to fire sale of public goods/services

#billionaires #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy #DarkMoney #DemocracyInChains
#GOP #RepublicanParty #fascism #Trump2 #Trumpism
#capitalism #corporations #libertarianism
#WealthTax #AssetSeizure #AssetForfeiture
#SocialDemocracy #socialism #sustainability

The Return of the Privatization of Everything

Trump II brings an accelerant to the fire sale of public goods and services

In the Public Interest
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Nov 19, 2024

Eric Schmidt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Schmidt
https://www.forbes.com/profile/eric-schmidt

People: billionaires, seriously!

https://persagen.org/docs/dystopian_neofascist_neoliberal_worker_state.html
https://persagen.org/docs/big-tech-is-using-the-pandemic-to-push-dangerous-new-forms-of-surveillance.html

* Schmidt envisages world where Big Tech takes over gov. functions
* profits increasingly to small circle of tech firms
* disposable/semi-disp. workers of color deliver Amazon packages, health care, services to those who can afford them

#capitalism #libertarianism #corporations #plutocracy
#billionaires #EricSchmidt #meritocracy #oligarchy #dystopia

Eric Schmidt - Wikipedia

Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Nov 26, 2024

Trump2 Billionaire Cabinet Picks Reflect Agenda Written By/For Billionaires/Corporations
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/trumps-billionaire-cabinet-picks-reflect-agenda-written-by-and-for-billionaires-big-corporations

* Trump has now tapped 5 billionaires, other ultra-high net-worth individuals to head key agencies
* campaign: promised to help working-class Americans

#billionaires #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy
#books : #DarkMoney #DemocracyInChains
#GOP #RepublicanParty #fascism #Trump2 #Christofascism
#capitalism #corporations #libertarianism
#WealthTax #AssetSeizure #AssetForfeiture

Trump’s Billionaire Cabinet Picks Reflect Agenda Written By-and-For Billionaires, Big Corporations

An Accountable.US review found President-elect Trump has now tapped five billionaires and several other ultra-high net-worth individuals to head key agencies despite campaigning on promises to help working-class Americans. “ Donald Trump paid plenty of lip service to working-class Americans, b...

Common Dreams
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 2, 2024

Billionaires Subsidize Israeli Military thru U.S. Nonprofit Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
https://truthout.org/articles/these-billionaires-subsidize-the-israeli-military-through-a-us-nonprofit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends_of_the_Israel_Defense_Forces

* U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit
* raises $10Ms effectively subsidizing Israeli military
* funnels money f. billionaires like Home Depot’s co-founder Bernie Marcus

#FIDF #Israel #billionaires #Netanyahu #genocide #Gaza #Palestine #ICJ #ICC

Image: David Foster and Haim Saban speak onstage at Friends of The Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Western Region Gala

These Billionaires Subsidize the Israeli Military Through a US Nonprofit

A US nonprofit funnels money from billionaires like Home Depot’s co-founder to effectively subsidize Israeli troops.

Truthout
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 3, 2024

1st 7 Billionaires Trump Tapped for Top Jobs
https://inequality.org/great-divide/billionaires-trump-has-tapped-for-top-jobs

* Trump so far plucked 7 of ~800 U.S. billionaires for top spots in Trump2 administration

Elon Musk
Warren Stephens
Linda McMahon
Howard Lutnick
Vivek Ramaswamy
Doug Burgum
Scott Bessent

Comment: most politicians (esp. American) are wealthy, privileged, siloed f. mainstream society / issues / challenges

#USpol #CanPol #elitism
#billionaires #libertarianism #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy
#Trump2 #fascism #Christofascism

The First Seven Billionaires Trump Has Tapped for Top Jobs

Out of America's 800 billionaires, president-elect Trump has so far plucked seven for top spots in his administration.

Inequality.org
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 4, 2024

Trump Oligarchy: Latest Billionaire Pick a Stunner
https://newrepublic.com/article/188999/welcome-trump-oligarchy-latest-billionaire-pick-stunner

* another billionaire for prominent Trump2 role
* post-Watergate guardrails against corruption unlikely to withstand what’s coming

Transcript: https://newrepublic.com/article/189000/transcript-expert-stunned-trump-picks-9th-billionaire-top-job

Trump offers Pentagon’s No. 2 job to billionaire Stephen Feinberg
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113595904656278819

#USpol #CanPol #elitism #Pentagon #StephenFeinberg #PeteHegseth
#billionaires #libertarianism #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy
#Trump2 #fascism #Christofascism

Welcome to the Trump Oligarchy: Latest Billionaire Pick Is a Stunner

As Trump chooses yet another billionaire for a prominent administration role, an ethics expert explains why the post-Watergate guardrails against corruption are unlikely to withstand what’s coming.

The New Republic
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 4, 2024

12 U.S. Billionaires Have Combined $2 Trillion
https://inequality.org/great-divide/twelve-billionaires-now-have-a-combined-2-trillion

* Nvidia's Jensen Huang oligarchic dozen
* group w. unfettered influence over media, politics

#capitalism #corporations #CorporateGreed #inequality
#billionaires #WealthConcentration #WealtyInequality
#plutocracy #meritocracy #oligarchy
Solutions: #SocialDemocracy #ecosocialism #socialism #WealtyTax #AssetForfeiture #AssetSeizure #sustainability

Twelve U.S. Billionaires Now Have a Combined $2 Trillion

Nvidia's Jensen Huang joins the oligarchic dozen, which have more influence over media and politics than ever.

Inequality.org
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 6, 2024

Elon Musk Spent $260M+ to Elect Trump
https://readsludge.com/2024/12/06/elon-musk-spent-over-a-quarter-billion-to-elect-trump

* $120M to America PAC
* $262M+ July 2024+ to superPACs backing Trump
* post-gen. period dumped add. $119.9M into America PAC

Musk behind mysterious pro-Trump super PAC that invoked Ruth Bader Ginsburg
https://www.politico.com/elon-musk-trump-donations-super-pac

* sole funder
* $millions on ads claiming Trump’s position on abortion aligned w. RBG
* plowed $260M into 2024 election
* single lg. indiv. political donor of cycle

#billionaires #Musk #fascism #Trump2 #GOP

Elon Musk Spent Over a Quarter Billion to Elect Trump

Musk gave nearly $120 million to his pro-Trump America PAC in the final weeks of the campaign, according to a new FEC filing.

Sludge
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 6, 2024

Billionaire Tax Proposal: Leading Nations Write History to End Hunger & Defy Injustice
https://thebetter.news/billionaire-tax-global-plan-end-hunger-and-reduce-inequality

How much money could help end world hunger?
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/how-much-money-would-it-take-to-end-world-hunger

* $23B USD/yr enough to eliminate hunger/malnutrition
* <10% of what global billionaire tax could raise annually

#billionaires #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy
#Trump2 #GOP #fascism
#capitalism #corporations #libertarianism
#WorldHunger
#WealthTax #AssetSeizure #AssetForfeiture
#SocialDemocracy #socialism

Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 7, 2024

Wealth of World’s Billionaires Doubled Over Past Decade
https://truthout.org/articles/wealth-of-the-worlds-billionaires-has-more-than-doubled-over-the-past-decade

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241205-billionaires-wealth-more-than-doubles-in-10-years-ubs

* driven by massive inequality
* billionaires' fortunes grew f. $6.3 TRILLION to $14 trillion
* planet’s total gross domestic product $105.4 trillion
* population of just 8 billion
* underscores extreme wealth concentration
* # billionaires rose f. 1,757 to 2,682 over past decade

#capitalism #billionaires #WealthConcentration #oligarchy #plutocracy meritocracy #corporations #WealthTax

Wealth of the World’s Billionaires Has More Than Doubled Over the Past Decade

Driven by massive inequality, the world’s richest grew their fortune from $6.3 trillion to $14 trillion.

Truthout
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 10, 2024

Trump Organization leases brand to 2 Saudi Arabia projects
https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-trump-business-real-estate-ethics-cb3bf4f03e32690e7fb65b3da336b0e1

* partner w. London-based Dar Global plc
* Trump has ties to Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman (2018 killing, Jamal Khashoggi)

DarGlobal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DarGlobal
* Dubai real estate developer

#USpol #GOP #Trump2 #fascism #authoritarianism
#billionaires #DonaldTrump #TrumpOrganization #authoritarianism
#libertarianism #DarGlobal
#SaudiArabia #Dubai #FossilFuels #HumanRightsAbuse #greenwashing #sportswashing

Trump Organization leases brand to 2 new projects in Saudi Arabia

The Trump Organization says it has leased its brand to two new real estate projects in Saudi Arabia just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. It said Monday it will partner with Dar Global, a London-based luxury real estate developer that will lease the Trump brand but fully own and develop the projects in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Trump’s close ties to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and day-to-day ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, drew heavy criticism after the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi columnist for the Washington Post who had written critically about the monarchy.

AP News
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 10, 2024

Trump’s Latest Ridiculous Proposal a Huge Gift to Billionaires
https://newrepublic.com/post/189222/donald-trump-proposal-environment-billionaires

* Trump's true priorities
* any person/company investing $1B+ in U.S. will receive fully expedited approvals/permits
* includ./not lim. to all environmental approvals
* “This is awesome” Musk on X/Twitter

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism #Project2025
#EcologicalDestruction #ClimateChange #EPA
#capitalism #billionaires #corporations #libertarianism #oligarchy #meritocracy #ElonMusk #plutocracy

Trump’s Latest Ridiculous Proposal Is a Huge Gift to Billionaires

Donald Trump is showing his true priorities.

The New Republic
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 13, 2024

Trump2 billionaire sycophants: Zuckerberg; Bezos; Musk

Musk: https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113473035331153428

Zuckerberg's Politics Changed
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113195153123372420

Zuckerberg dines w. Trump
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113561759902519900
* Stephen Miller: Zuckerberg wants to support Trump2 economic plans

Meta donates $1M to Trump2 inaugural committee
https://www.salon.com/2024/12/12/meta-donates-1-million-to-inaugural-committee-after-zuckerberg-meets-with-elect

Jeff Bezos/Amazon Bend Knee to Trump
https://newrepublic.com/post/189364/jeff-bezos-amazon-bend-knee-trump-donation
* AMZN to donate to Trump2 inaug. cmte

#Trump2 #fascism
#billionaires #oligarchy #Bezos #Musk #Zuckerberg

Meta donates $1 million to Trump inaugural committee after Zuckerberg meets with president-elect

Salon.com
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 13, 2024

/1 Trump2 billionaire sycophants: Zuckerberg | Bezos | Musk | OpenAI, Sam Altman

OpenAI’s Altman will donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund
https://apnews.com/article/sam-altman-donald-trump-openai-3b7a87037f3718eb3edc73e94be8a61a

#Trump2 #fascism
#billionaires #oligarchy #Bezos #Musk #Zuckerberg #OpenAI #SamAltman

OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million.

AP News
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 19, 2024

Elon Musk ascends as political threat beyond his wealth
https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-congress-bipartisan-deal-320a3487d596ae0d2e1ffdc1e62054b3

* brought bipartisan budget proposal to sudden halt by posting constantly on X
* threatened Republicans w. primary challenges

Let “President Musk” Run Government 🤨
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113680533622686848
+ follow-on posts there

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism #extremism #Project2025
#ElonMusk #capitalism #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #plutocracy #ExistentialThreats #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk ascends as political force beyond his wealth by tanking budget deal

Elon Musk’s role in taking down a bipartisan budget deal shows his ascendance as a political force. The social media warnings from the world’s wealthiest man preceded President-elect Donald Trump’s condemnation of the measure negotiated by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson. That combination effectively killed the stopgap measure that was designed to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government. It was the first major test of Musk's influence since Trump was elected.

AP News
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 20, 2024

U.S. Gov't Shutting Down Because Musk Has Factories in China
https://prospect.org/politics/2024-12-20-government-shutting-down-elon-musk-factories-china

* mundane reason for late-term chaos: conflict of interest
* Trump2 picks up wh. Trump1 left off
* transition team had no problem w. 2024 yr-end spending bill
* then Elon Musk's X posting frenzy
* political chaos ensues [get used to it]

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism
#ElonMusk #capitalism #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #plutocracy #libertarianism #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

The Government Is Shutting Down Because Elon Musk Has Factories in China

There’s a mundane reason for the late-term chaos, and it’s called a conflict of interest.

The American Prospect
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 20, 2024

Elon Musk Inaugurates New Gilded Age
https://www.salon.com/2024/12/20/elon-musk-throws-his-support-behind-germanys-extremist-far-right
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilded_Age

* world’s richest man Elon Musk
* $443B: https://www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk
* uses vast wealth/political influence to shut down bipartisan deal to keep U.S. gov't open
* obscene; just 1 example of ways billionaires dominate American democracy

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism
#ElonMusk #capitalism #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #plutocracy #libertarianism #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk throws his support behind Germany's extremist far-right

Salon.com
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 20, 2024

Elon Musk throws his support behind German extremist far-right AfD
https://www.salon.com/2024/12/20/elon-musk-throws-his-support-behind-germanys-extremist-far-right
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany

* Alternative for Germany performing strongly in polls leading to Feb. 2025 election
* far-right party described as xenophobic, extremist, successor to Nazi Party
* Elon Musk throwing his support behind AfD

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism
#ElonMusk #capitalism #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #plutocracy #libertarianism #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk throws his support behind Germany's extremist far-right

Salon.com
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 20, 2024

/1 Elon Musk Faces Blowback After Shocking Praise for Germany’s Far Right
https://newrepublic.com/post/189609/elon-musk-blowback-praise-germany-far-right-afd

* Musk decided to start his day by endorsing Germany’s right-wing AfD

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism
#Germany #GermanPol #AfD #FarRight
#ElonMusk #capitalism #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #plutocracy #libertarianism #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk Faces Blowback After Shocking Praise for Germany’s Far Right

Elon Musk decided to start his day by endorsing Germany’s right-wing AfD.

The New Republic
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️

/2 Musk Applauds German Neo-Nazi Party
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/elon-musk-applauds-the-german-neo-nazi-party

* after supp. Trump, Musk supports AfD, other anti-immigration parties
* Führer into full neo-Nazi embrace
* soc. media assault blocked congressional spending bill meant to avoid gov't shutdown
* took to X, described racist, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as Germany’s last/best hope

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism
#ElonMusk #AfD #billionaires #oligarchy #meritocracy #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk applauds the German neo-Nazi party

After rallying behind Trump, the tech billionaire supports AfD and other anti-immigration parties.

Mother Jones
Dec 20, 2024 at 11:01pmWeb
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 29, 2024

Koch Network Tax Plan Targets the Poor in Louisiana
https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2024/12/29/koch-network-tax-plan-targets-the-poor-in-louisiana

* day after Trump2 electoral sweep
* Governor Jeff Landry(R-LA) convened special session of state legislature
* overhaul state’s tax system
* Koch-backed groups actively pressured governor/legislators to pass slate of bills
* reduce taxes on wealthy/corporations
* Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana
* Pelican Institute

#capitalism #libertarianism #CharlesKoch #KochIndustries #CorportatePolluters #AFP #PelicanInstitute

Koch Network Tax Plan Targets the Poor in Louisiana - EXPOSEDbyCMD

While leaders of both major parties were either celebrating their victories or mourning their losses after the November 5 elections, billionaire Charles Koch racked up a big win in Louisiana when Republican Governor Jeff Landry convened a special session of the state legislature on November 6 — the very next day — to overhaul the state’s tax system. 

EXPOSEDbyCMD
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 29, 2024

Elon Musk Doubles Down on Support for Germany’s Ultra-Right AfD Party
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/12/elon-musk-tweeet-germany-afd-far-right-party-nazi-support-die-welt-op-ed
https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/plus254982012/Warum-Elon-Musk-auf-die-AfD-setzt-und-warum-er-dabei-irrt.html

* Musk published German op-ed calling AfD “last spark of hope for this country” 🤨

https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113686441530193055
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113687638348201692

#USpol #Trump2 #GOP #fascism #authoritarianism #DOGE
#GermanPol #AfD #FarRight #protofascism
#ElonMusk #billionaires #plutocracy #oligarchy #meritocracy #disinformation #WealthTax
#Christofascism #transgenocide

Elon Musk doubles down on his support for Germany’s ultra-right party

He publishes a German op-ed calling AfD "the last spark of hope for this country."

Mother Jones
Show threadVictoria Stuart 🇨🇦 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 30, 2024

Thread continues at

[thread 4/x] Existential threat of billionaires
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113742913269375565

Show threadKevin Karhan Jan 8, 2025

@persagen the fact that @[email protected] / @bmi did not callout #Musk for this illegal #advertising and #foreign #ElectionInterference and seized assets to cover #fines and force him to stop committing #IllegalPoliticalAdvertising and #ForrignInterference is a sign of #weakness and facist scum like #NSAfD take notes...