Undercurrents BONUS: Bernie Sanders exposed Trump’s Treasury nominee
Jan 17, 2025
The podcast dives into a heated moment between Senator Bernie Sanders and Treasury nominee Scott Bessent during a high-stakes confirmation hearing. It sheds light on the rise of oligarchy in the U.S., questioning the concentration of wealth among billionaires like Musk and Bezos. The discussion reveals how these financial elites shape modern politics and social media, challenging all political factions to respond effectively to their influence. The implications for democracy are significant and raise critical societal questions.
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Sanders Questions Oligarchy
- Bernie Sanders questioned Scott Bessent on whether the US is becoming an oligarchy.
- Sanders pointed to the immense wealth and influence of billionaires like Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg.
Bessent's Contradictory Answers
- Bessent gave contradictory answers, first suggesting upward mobility negates oligarchy, then acknowledging oligarchs exist.
- He pointed out Biden awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to potential oligarchs.
Trump's Shifting Stance
- Trump's 2016 RNC speech criticized the system being rigged against citizens like Bernie Sanders.
- Now, his close ties with billionaires like Musk and Bezos raise concerns about oligarchical influence.