Dive into the intriguing world of political campaigns as billionaires like Elon Musk attempt to sway votes with clever tactics. Discover the complex dynamics of campaign financing and how nonprofits navigate political waters. The conversation also explores prediction markets versus traditional polling, shedding light on which might better forecast elections. Plus, a look at how many Americans manage their finances, balancing luxury with the reality of living paycheck to paycheck, amidst a landscape of evolving economic perceptions.
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insights INSIGHT
Campaign Finance Shift
Citizens United ruling removed campaign finance restrictions, creating a fundraising arms race.
This has changed the nature of national elections and increased the influence of billionaires.
insights INSIGHT
Billionaire Funding Mechanisms
Billionaires now primarily donate through Super PACs, which often have opaque donation sources.
Other nonprofits like C4s can indirectly support candidates while remaining tax-exempt.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Elon Musk's Election Tactics
Elon Musk offers sweepstakes to registered voters, prompting a DOJ warning about incentivizing voting.
He also uses petitions supporting amendments to target voters in battleground states.
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This week: How do you buy an election? Throw a sweepstakes! Emily Peck, Elizabeth Spiers, and Rueters’ Anna Szymanski (filling in for Felix Salmon) discuss Elon Musk’s scheme to get potential Trump voters to the ballot box and the maneuverings of the campaign finance industrial complex. Next, they discuss a French gambler whose massive bet on the election may affect Trump’s real-world odds. Finally: Many Americans report living “paycheck to paycheck,” even though they have savings and splurge on luxuries.
In the Plus bonus mini-episode: Keurig Dr. Pepper plans to spend more than a billion dollars on the Ghost energy drink company. The hosts discuss what’s powering the energy drink renaissance and how some hyper-caffeinated, sugary beverages are managing to brand themselves as health and fitness drinks — and what it’s doing to the Gen Zs swallowing the bait.
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Podcast production by Jared Downing and Cheyna Roth.
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