The Bulwark Podcast Lina Khan: The Impunity of the Elites
30 snips
Sep 3, 2025 
Lina Khan, former FTC chair and Columbia Law professor, dives deep into the complexities of antitrust law and its implications for democracy. She critiques the Trump administration’s favoritism toward elites and explores how economic populism can shift power dynamics. Khan emphasizes the need for robust antitrust regulations to support competition, particularly in tech. Amidst serious discussions, she humorously shares anecdotes about her cat, adding a light touch to the heavy topics at hand.
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Origin Story: From Reporting To Antitrust
- Lina Khan described her path from journalism to antitrust driven by investigating concentrated markets like chicken farming.
- She recounted farmers losing bargaining power when buyers consolidated and the personal harm that revealed the stakes of monopoly power.
Everyday Consumer Harms Matter
- The FTC under Khan tackled everyday consumer harms like repair restrictions, subscription cancellation friction, and junk fees.
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Populist Rhetoric, Elite-Friendly Policy
- Khan argues the Trump administration's policies favored elites and concentrated wealth upward despite right-wing populist rhetoric.
- She warns antitrust and legal powers are being weaponized to advance political and cultural demands by the current administration.
