Bernie Sanders Misreads the Trillionaire Class

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Nick Gillespie are joined by Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch, to discuss Elon Musk becoming the world’s first trillionaire and whether that milestone signals a triumph of capitalism or a cautionary note about inequality. The group investigates the political backlash to extreme wealth, the extent to which government subsidies helped propel Musk, and whether Americans should be more concerned about how fortunes are amassed than about how large they become.

Next, the editors turn to the Supreme Court’s most consequential cases still in the pipeline, including matters of birthright citizenship and the Federal Reserve. They also consider Democratic ideas to broaden the Court and what those moves could mean for the judiciary’s future. The discussion then shifts to the economic repercussions of the Iran war, such as rising inflation and higher energy prices. Finally, a listener asks whether unregulated markets are driving the increasing “enshittification” of everyday life, from movie theaters to fast-food chains.

 

0:00—Musk hits trillionaire status

17:50—The Court’s looming decisions

31:33—Are Democrats pursuing court packing?

38:41—Listener query on market freedom and quality decline

48:57—Iran ceasefire agreement and economic effects

53:37—Weekly cultural recommendations

 

Mentioned in the podcast:

“Elon Musk Becomes the World’s First Trillionaire. Is That Such a Bad Thing?” by Joe Lancaster

“The Iran War Is Over, For Now,” by Matthew Petti

“The White House UFC Fight Is the Perfect Event for the Present, Not the Past,” by Billy Binion

“Counting Down the Supreme Court Term,” by Sarah Isgur and David French

“UFC Stages Successful White House Fight Night—if Not for Obama Insult,” by Sean Gregory

“Soccer Participation in the U.S. Is Surging Before the 2026 World Cup,” by Sports and Fitness Industry Association

“Soccer Passes Baseball in Race to Be America’s Favorite Sport,” by Ben Steiner

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