
Organized Money When Billionaires Go Rogue
Dec 16, 2025
Tom Steyer, a former financier and activist billionaire running for California governor in 2026, shares his unique insights on anti-monopoly politics. He passionately critiques the potential impacts of the Warner Bros. deal on California's film industry, emphasizing the risks of industry consolidation. Steyer outlines his vision for affordability, addressing housing and utility monopolies, while advocating for innovative solutions like manufactured housing. His commitment to represent working Californians showcases the intersection of wealth and public service in the political landscape.
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Money Quieting State Politics
- California politics allow near-unlimited state political spending, letting wealthy media executives silence criticism through donations.
- That explains why many front-runners stayed silent on the Warner-Netflix-Paramount consolidation despite major local economic risk.
A Personal Duty To Contribute
- Tom Steyer frames his civic duty as coming from family responsibility to contribute to society.
- He emphasizes being a positive contributor rather than adopting a 'ripoff' mentality.
Distribution Trumps Annual Success
- Controlling distribution creates persistent market power regardless of creative success in any single year.
- As players consolidate under five firms, competition drops sharply and incentives to compete on quality evaporate.
