Surviving Trump: With Democracy On Life Support
Surviving Trump is your indispensable guide to navigating the challenges and contradictions of life under the second Trump administration. In the first 20–25 segments we’ll uncover what’s truly at stake: our democracy. You'll deep dive into the key players, from Trump and Musk (with candid insights into their mental states) to MAGA supporters and other Trump loyalists, revealing who they are and why they pose a threat to democratic values. This essential guide equips you with the knowledge and insight to confidently navigate the turbulent years ahead, empowering you to make informed decisions and take proactive action as challenges emerge.
Surviving Trump: With Democracy On Life Support
Episode 39: Corruption: A Presidency for Sale
In this episode, Bella Goode traces how Donald Trump didn’t just dip into corruption—he turned the presidency into a personal business empire. By comparing his actions to past scandals like Watergate and Teapot Dome, we see just how far Trump has pushed the boundaries of ethics, law, and public trust. From meme coins and luxury jets to regulatory rollbacks and foreign gifts, this episode breaks down the machinery of self-enrichment that defines Trump’s presidency. This isn’t just corruption. It’s a system. And it’s changing the American presidency forever.
Key Takeaways To Listen For
- How Trump monetized political access through crypto dinners, executive club memberships, and branded merchandise
- The launch of meme coins and stablecoins backed by foreign investment and the regulatory rollbacks that enabled them
- Why Trump’s $16M settlement from Paramount over a “baseless” lawsuit is being called a bribe tied to an $8B merger
- The ethical collapse of oversight: Small-dollar PAC donations used to fund Trump’s legal fees, while pardons went to political allies and investors
- A historical comparison of presidential corruption and how Trump’s conduct marks a sharp and dangerous break from past norms
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Reuters
- Politico
- ProPublica
- Bloomberg
- The Washington Post
- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Inc.
- World Liberty Financial
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | USAGov
- Federal Communications Commission
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Host: Bella Goode
Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.
Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.
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