In this podcast, Krystal and Saagar cover a wide range of fascinating topics including the Fed's next moves on inflation, new developments in the Trump investigation, issue and midterm polling, big pharma vaccine wars, Zuckerberg's comments on Facebook censorship, the 1971 political shift, populist Democrats, and the possibility of Trump getting indicted.
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Quick takeaways
Moderna has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer for allegedly copying elements of its mRNA technology.
President Biden's approval rating has increased to 44%, positioning him favorably for the upcoming midterm elections.
A majority of Americans, including those without student loan debt, support some form of student debt relief.
Moderna and Pfizer face criticism for their vaccine profits and ongoing patent disputes, hindering the widespread availability of critical vaccines.
Deep dives
Moderna Sues Pfizer over mRNA Technology
Moderna has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, claiming infringement of intellectual property regarding mRNA technology. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer copied key elements of Moderna's mRNA platform, including chemical modifications and targeting the spike protein of the virus. Both Moderna and Pfizer have benefitted greatly from government intervention and funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden's Approval Rating Sees a Boost
President Biden's approval rating has reached its highest point in a year, with a 6% increase to 44%. This puts him in a better position than his predecessors before midterm elections. However, Republicans still have a slight edge in the generic ballot, and the enthusiasm gap has narrowed. Issues such as abortion and critical race theory continue to drive the political landscape.
Public Supports Student Debt Relief
A majority of Americans, including those without student loan debt, support some form of student debt relief. Polls show that 64% of respondents are in favor, with young voters and black voters showing strong support. The impact of student debt relief on the upcoming elections remains to be seen.
Moderna and Pfizer Face Criticism Over Vaccine Profits and Patent Disputes
Moderna and Pfizer are facing scrutiny over their vaccine profits and ongoing patent disputes. Critics argue that the vaccines would not exist without significant government funding and support. Both companies have reaped billions of dollars in profits while maintaining patent protections, preventing critical vaccines from being widely available.
Ethical Concerns Arise as COVID Boosters Roll Out without Complete Testing
COVID-19 booster shots are being authorized and rolled out before completing necessary human testing. The move raises ethical concerns as data showing the safety of the boosters is not yet available. The rollout comes in response to new COVID variants, but the rushed decision-making process raises questions about the thoroughness of the testing and approval process.
Evidence of obstruction
The recently released affidavit provided confirmation that there is evidence of obstruction in the classified documents matter involving Donald Trump. The government found that documents were intentionally moved and concealed, and surveillance videos from the Trump Organization support this claim. These actions, combined with the retrieval of classified documents from Donald Trump's personal office, indicate a clear intent to obstruct the proper recovery and handling of these documents.
Difference from Clinton's mishandling
The Clinton standard is not applicable to the Trump case. Unlike Hillary Clinton's mishandling of classified information, where spillage and lack of intent were the main issues, the evidence in the Trump case shows that he had access to properly marked classified documents and failed to turn them over as directed. The presence of top secret markings, including for human intelligence and signal intercepts, distinguishes this case as a deliberate and intentional violation of handling classified information.
Importance of upholding the rule of law
While consideration may be given to the political implications of indicting a former president, it should not outweigh the importance of upholding the rule of law. Donald Trump should not be immune from prosecution simply because of his political significance. If the facts and the law warrant an indictment, the Justice Department should proceed accordingly, allowing Trump to present his defense in court like any other citizen.
Krystal and Saagar discuss the Fed's next moves on inflation, Trump investigation developments, Issue polling and midterm polling, big pharma vaccine wars, Zuckerberg comments about Facebook censorship, 1971 political shift, populist Democrats, & the possibility Trump gets indicted!
