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30 Jul 2026
8m

Trump’s new Truth Social plan: pay me $100K

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The Indicator from Planet Money

Truth Social’s proposal to sell early access to market-moving presidential posts raises significant concerns regarding political corruption and economic integrity. Charging up to $100,000 for milliseconds of lead time on policy announcements creates a rent-seeking environment where financial success depends on proximity to power rather than product quality. Elizabeth Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, identifies this as a clear conflict of interest, though legal enforcement remains difficult due to shifting norms and a lack of specific statutes. Economist Ray Fisman notes that while some argue corruption "greases the wheels" of commerce, data shows it consistently correlates with lower economic growth and "endogenous red tape"—regulations intentionally created to extract bribes. Ultimately, this shift toward monetizing public office risks institutionalizing a "get what you can" culture that threatens long-term economic stability and democratic norms.

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