In recent discussions on the widely acclaimed YouTube show “Pivot,” hosted by Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway, the ongoing clash between former President Donald Trump and the judiciary has drawn significant attention. As the legal landscape becomes increasingly complex, marked by Trump’s defiance of court orders and pointed criticisms of judges, it’s essential to dissect the implications of his actions and the potential outcomes of this legal showdown. This blog post aims to provide a thorough fact-check of the points raised during the episode, evaluating the accuracy of claims made regarding Trump’s legal challenges and his strategies in confronting the courts. Join us as we sift through facts, context, and expert insights, helping to clarify the evolving narrative surrounding Trump’s judicial battles.
Find a fact check of this transcript on CheckForFacts
Transcript:
[00:00:00,000]: I’m sure there are lesbians who have cybertrunks but I’m not speaking to them anymore [00:00:10,000]: Hi everyone this is Pivot from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network [00:00:14,699]: I’m Kara Swisher [00:00:15,819]: And I heard you’re going on vacation [00:00:17,959]: I am just for a few short days [00:00:21,520]: I don’t think I’ve ever known you to go on a vacation [00:00:23,639]: I know I know [00:00:24,559]: Amanda required it [00:00:26,120]: He didn’t require it actually [00:00:27,360]: My two younger kids have different vacations because they’re at different schools [00:00:33,299]: And this was the only crossover [00:00:35,680]: And then Louie’s coming too [00:00:38,180]: Alex just recently went on his own vacation so he’s not coming [00:00:41,119]: He’s got school [00:00:42,299]: But yeah I know I’m going to not do anything for four days which is probably not true [00:00:47,180]: But I’ll probably be talking to you [00:00:49,099]: Well you may be too old for this to really have any impact on you [00:00:52,080]: But my wife claims that she just loves to fuck on vacation which is there’s kind of a weird postcard to get [00:01:01,759]: That’s good [00:01:02,500]: Oh my God [00:01:03,000]: Where are you coming up with all these bad jokes [00:01:05,300]: Did you get a joke book [00:01:06,400]: That’s good [00:01:07,339]: It’s called the internet [00:01:08,839]: What is the internet for other than watching videos [00:01:11,779]: I know I know [00:01:12,580]: But lately there’s been five or six really bad jokes [00:01:16,300]: Tracking the slow descent into fascism and funny jokes [00:01:18,919]: That’s it [00:01:19,260]: Yeah that’s true [00:01:20,080]: That’s true [00:01:20,519]: I am so pissed off [00:01:22,239]: I believe I’m that dad [00:01:23,480]: I send at least two dozen ridiculously hilarious memes to my sons every day [00:01:30,480]: And I will see I will wake up I will get up at two in the morning and find out that they still have not seen them much less respond [00:01:36,500]: They don’t even open or look at my memes anymore [00:01:39,400]: No text you text them [00:01:40,739]: My sons don’t pay attention [00:01:42,099]: Oh I didn’t read your text [00:01:43,139]: I didn’t read your text [00:01:44,360]: How can you not read a text [00:01:45,959]: I agree [00:01:46,980]: I don’t even understand [00:01:47,580]: What if the house is on fire [00:01:49,040]: I know that [00:01:49,900]: Well you wouldn’t text that would you [00:01:51,500]: Would you text that [00:01:53,120]: Hi the house is on fire [00:01:55,040]: I’d probably call [00:01:56,519]: Anyways are you staying what’s the is it the Four Seasons or the Rich Carlton [00:01:59,540]: No no no [00:02:00,760]: We rented an Airbnb by the ocean [00:02:02,959]: And so it’s near El Yunque Amanda loves Puerto Rico [00:02:06,580]: I went there as a kid [00:02:07,639]: I haven’t been there in a long time [00:02:08,660]: It’s a beautiful place [00:02:11,119]: And so it’s near it’s on the beach and it’s near the beautiful rainforest there [00:02:16,119]: So we’re going to go hiking get Louis to cook obviously because he’s now the babysitter and cook for the situation [00:02:24,339]: And just relax for just a few days [00:02:26,119]: It’s just not very long but it’s I need it I think [00:02:29,139]: Oh you’ve needed it for a few years [00:02:31,039]: Yes I haven’t vacationed in a long time [00:02:32,660]: When I vacation I don’t vacation for people who need to understand this [00:02:36,139]: I don’t take time off [00:02:37,199]: I’m pretty much on an extended vacation [00:02:39,779]: I’m not exaggerating [00:02:41,320]: I think I vacation arguably like 15 to 20 weeks a year and I’m planning to increase it [00:02:45,660]: Yeah I know that [00:02:46,660]: I’m aware [00:02:47,240]: I’m aware of the entire thing [00:02:48,320]: We’re going to have some guest hosts in a few weeks [00:02:50,039]: Actually you’re doing a thing with your kid but that’s different [00:02:53,119]: That’s a little different [00:02:53,899]: College tour [00:02:54,460]: College tour [00:02:55,000]: Oh my God [00:02:56,300]: Where are we going to next that you have absolutely no chance of getting in [00:03:01,399]: No don’t say that [00:03:02,619]: It’s hard to get in [00:03:03,360]: But actually I heard Harvard was off in terms of applications [00:03:07,460]: Harvard oh my God [00:03:09,360]: By the way can we just talk for a moment about Harvard [00:03:12,699]: Yes sure [00:03:13,699]: Harvard puts out this ridiculously this virtue signaling of all virtually [00:03:19,740]: Wokistan meets total virtue signaling bullshit [00:03:24,279]: They announced that anyone any family that makes less than 200 000 gets free tuition [00:03:30,419]: Well aren’t they just fucking amazing [00:03:32,559]: But here’s the thing [00:03:33,240]: I think I did the math [00:03:35,000]: Okay so you have about 1 500 students [00:03:37,279]: I bet maybe a third come from families that make less than 200 000 [00:03:42,539]: And of those they would have gotten some financial aid [00:03:44,800]: So call it I don’t know 500 kids are going to get a 50 000 benefit [00:03:49,919]: And that’s being really really generous [00:03:52,419]: I think it comes out to about 20 or 25 million [00:03:55,600]: Yeah so it’s not that big a deal [00:03:57,080]: So they have a 53 billion endowment [00:03:59,779]: If it’s matching the market it’s doing about 4 billion a year [00:04:03,720]: So they’ve decided to step up and give a whopping what is that [00:04:08,860]: A whopping half a percent and put out a press release [00:04:11,160]: Rather than taking some of that 52 billion and stop acting like rejectionist exclusionary self important jurors and expand the number [00:04:21,399]: And here’s what it is [00:04:22,799]: Just give me a second here [00:04:24,440]: It makes things even worse because this is what’s happening in America [00:04:27,899]: If you’re the son of somebody who’s rich or the daughter of someone who’s rich or freakishly fucking remarkable you not only get into an amazing university you get to go for free [00:04:36,059]: The other 99 9 of America gets arbed down to a mediocre school that doesn’t have a 53 billion endowment [00:04:43,880]: This is nothing but making everything worse in terms of income inequality [00:04:48,040]: And yet they have the fucking nads to put out a thing acting as if they’re doing the world a service [00:04:52,480]: Here’s what you do folks [00:04:53,760]: You take some of that 52 billion endowment and you make your freshman class bigger than what a good Starbucks serves [00:04:59,559]: Dartmouth has an 8 billion endowment [00:05:01,500]: I would agree [00:05:02,100]: Uh except for your obsession with woke astounded colleges because I think they’re mostly beaten down by now [00:05:07,859]: So I think we can move along on that issue [00:05:09,779]: I think that is Oh I don’t think so [00:05:11,779]: Okay [00:05:12,220]: In any case I think a lot of colleges do do this for people who don’t know [00:05:16,519]: It’s not a new and fresh idea from Harvard [00:05:18,540]: That was this thing I was I was not aware of [00:05:21,700]: And it is true [00:05:23,040]: And if you make under a certain amount you get the whole thing free right [00:05:26,980]: That was if you get in if you get in [00:05:29,019]: Pricing at elite universities is the following that there’s the there’s the sticker price which is for foreign students and rich people [00:05:36,420]: So they can charge them a ridiculous amount of money [00:05:38,260]: And almost everybody else does not pay the sticker price [00:05:41,200]: And the problem with these elite universities that that hoard this amazing drug called higher education is that they have so much money that it means absolutely nothing for the if you get into Princeton or Harvard it doesn’t matter how much money if you have enough money then don’t worry about it [00:05:59,239]: If you don’t you will absolutely get financial aid [00:06:01,920]: It’s the other 99 of our youth that has to go to a university that doesn’t have these enormous endowments that has to go into student debt end up with a degree in philosophy from a Joey bag of donuts university that they can’t not only pay off but is one of the few few forms of debt that is not dischargeable in bankruptcy [00:06:17,660]: And they want to put out a press release acting like well fucking smell you Harvard [00:06:21,779]: Aren’t you aren’t you good people [00:06:24,299]: Okay [00:06:24,679]: You know I’m going to Puerto Rico [00:06:26,100]: Did I tell you [00:06:26,739]: Sorry [00:06:26,959]: Go ahead [00:06:27,339]: Really fun [00:06:27,679]: I’m going to I’m going to [00:06:28,440]: A lot of sunblock [00:06:29,519]: A lot of sunblock [00:06:30,720]: Sunblock sunblock [00:06:31,339]: They are also under siege by the government right now too [00:06:34,399]: Let’s just put it [00:06:34,959]: We’ve got a lot to get to today [00:06:35,859]: Under siege under siege [00:06:38,660]: Come on stop it [00:06:39,920]: Trump is acting like a total asshole [00:06:41,959]: We’ve got a lot to get to today including more presidential power grabs the Chinese Evie company putting Tesla on blast and the fast fashion war claims its latest victim [00:06:51,140]: By the way I had a little text thing with Jessica Jess Tarloff [00:06:55,339]: She’ll come to Paris with me [00:06:56,959]: Just I’m just saying [00:06:57,679]: Yeah [00:06:57,959]: You too [00:06:59,119]: She’s she’s she has a I’m going to steal you from her [00:07:01,920]: Kind of a little bit of a crush [00:07:03,380]: You guys have a little bit of a crush on her [00:07:05,880]: Yeah [00:07:06,420]: Yeah [00:07:06,859]: Yeah [00:07:07,420]: Really [00:07:08,519]: Yeah [00:07:08,920]: All right [00:07:09,519]: Okay [00:07:09,799]: No I just like teasing [00:07:11,160]: She goes I can’t believe you won’t go to Paris [00:07:12,859]: Now you know that there was a movie where all the people who had affairs with the guy got together and took revenge on him [00:07:19,480]: It’s with Cameron Diaz and oh my God what’s that movie called [00:07:23,119]: Anyway that’s what’s happening here [00:07:24,619]: All your exes are getting together and we’re going to take revenge on you [00:07:28,019]: We could fit all those people in a closet [00:07:30,059]: That is correct [00:07:30,880]: That is correct [00:07:31,619]: The line is long at Lovers of the Dog [00:07:34,600]: That’s right [00:07:36,220]: That’s right [00:07:37,239]: In any case [00:07:38,239]: Almost all of them still have their teeth [00:07:39,720]: Yeah [00:07:39,899]: Okay [00:07:41,100]: Anyway let’s bring it back [00:07:42,519]: All right [00:07:42,839]: First let’s speaking of losing the judiciary is really pushing back on Donald Trump [00:07:47,559]: Chief Justice John Roberts clapping back against President Trump [00:07:50,940]: Earlier this week Trump called for the impeachment of a district judge who ruled against him over the deportation of Venezuelans which led Roberts to issue a very rare response [00:07:59,820]: Let me read part of it [00:08:01,339]: For more than two centuries it’s been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision [00:08:07,519]: The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose [00:08:11,359]: It’s a little bit weak sauce but there it was [00:08:13,980]: One GOP representative introduced articles of impeachment against the judge [00:08:17,480]: Let’s listen to what President Trump had to say about it on Laura Ingraham [00:08:21,239]: We have very bad judges and these are judges that shouldn’t be allowed [00:08:25,220]: I think they I think at a certain point you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge [00:08:30,700]: The judge that we’re talking about he’s you look at his other rulings I mean rulings unrelated but having to do with me he’s a lunatic [00:08:41,340]: This is what he said about every judge who deals with him [00:08:43,799]: This is just a typical thing he does is insults the judges in any way [00:08:47,539]: According to a sworn filing in an immigration and customs enforcement official many of those deported did not have criminal records [00:08:54,400]: It’s really quite amazing [00:08:55,500]: They just grabbed people [00:08:57,760]: He’s lost I think six times with judges [00:09:00,619]: So again appellate courts are the way you win here [00:09:04,059]: Donald Trump you tend not to win because what you do is illegal [00:09:08,619]: But anyway this is a major showdown and he’s setting up a real fight with the Supreme Court because all of these are going to eventually get to the Supreme Court [00:09:16,020]: Any thoughts [00:09:17,539]: Well this is I think probably one of the most significant historical events happened kind of it got some coverage but I don’t think people realize how important it was [00:09:25,840]: And that is the White House essentially defied a court order and let those planes carrying the people they wanted deported some of whom had done nothing but had the wrong tattoo [00:09:38,559]: And then they created what I think is basically a Republican snuff film [00:09:42,340]: Did you see the video of them being dragged off planes [00:09:44,679]: Yeah that was by the guy who runs El Salvador who seems like an asshole [00:09:50,119]: I think that was his with the music [00:09:52,539]: I think he put them up [00:09:53,419]: I mean El Salvador is a really interesting situation what’s happened there [00:09:55,780]: But that’s another talk show [00:09:57,700]: But effectively if the White House is going to ignore court orders the question is well OK what power does the judiciary or the court have if they start violating court orders [00:10:08,780]: And what the power they have is they could say all right if you carry out these if you actively are the individuals defying these court orders we can put you in jail or fine you [00:10:19,059]: But the problem is the president can then pardon them [00:10:22,299]: So if you have we’re in uncharted territories [00:10:25,679]: Look we have a criminal as president [00:10:30,000]: And this is a convicted felon someone who appears to have absolutely no regard for the law who’s set or seems comfortable carving up the world with another mob boss another autocrat who is now defying court orders [00:10:44,260]: And if he has the power of the pardon and can threaten judges and appears to be comfortable defying court orders then folks you know it might feel good right [00:10:57,640]: A decent number of Democrats and Republicans have both said in polls they’d be comfortable with an autocrat as long as he or she agreed with their views [00:11:04,500]: All right just wait until that knock on the door comes for you and your nephew or your outspoken friend on politics is kind of disappeared is shipped off is put on a plane to somewhere where they don’t aren’t protected by the law is incarcerated without due process has their livelihood taken away and has no recourse [00:11:27,359]: I mean it’s really interesting that they are doing exactly what they said they would do when he said I will concede the election if I win [00:11:37,940]: That was a blatant I’m going to be an autocrat [00:11:41,099]: And everyone is like oh isn’t that funny [00:11:43,260]: Isn’t that cute [00:11:43,840]: He doesn’t really mean it [00:11:44,900]: He’s pretty much done everything he said he was going to do [00:11:47,760]: But if the courts are neutered by the power of the pardon or a president or an administration supported by one party that controls Congress it says it’s OK to violate court orders [00:12:01,599]: Yeah I agree [00:12:02,099]: We’re essentially— Well I think that’s why Roberts did that [00:12:06,159]: Issuing a warning because he lost he’s lost in the Supreme Court several times recently especially because of Amy Coney Barrett and Roberts together with the liberal wing of the party that keeps being 5 4 [00:12:17,700]: And I think that he doesn’t seem to—the Supreme Court orders he has yet to over not do [00:12:25,559]: The issue is he’s also the enforcer of these things [00:12:28,679]: And so and J D [00:12:30,260]: Vance keeps quoting Andrew Jackson let him enforce it if he wants to say this let him enforce it [00:12:35,059]: But it’s also you know really it’s just this is what he’s doing [00:12:39,200]: And what he’s doing he’s raising he goes you wouldn’t you can’t do that [00:12:43,099]: However we have bad judges [00:12:44,719]: The only judge he likes is Eileen Cannon who does whatever he wants right [00:12:48,460]: Anything that’s for him [00:12:49,640]: And she’s an incompetent judge essentially [00:12:52,780]: But she gets to stay there until they remove her and she can be overturned on appellate court [00:12:58,640]: And that’s the whole system which is what Roberts was talking about [00:13:01,719]: But we’ll see how far he goes here [00:13:03,659]: He’s already gone very very far down the line [00:13:06,359]: And his little handmaidens to sedition like Laura Ingram are really disturbing [00:13:13,099]: Like it’s a disturbing thing to agree that you’re going to attack judges [00:13:16,340]: Now in other countries where they’ve tried this the guys typically they don’t win [00:13:20,940]: The courts tend to win [00:13:22,559]: But we’ll see [00:13:23,700]: We’ll see what happens [00:13:24,280]: Look what’s going on in Hungary [00:13:25,960]: I mean Victor Orban who’s sort of the role model the idol here for how Trump is executing his presidential powers there’s enormous protests in Hungary which is actually really hopeful [00:13:40,099]: I do too [00:13:40,500]: I see the future of the GOP right here [00:13:42,539]: Right here it is [00:13:43,239]: It can only do so much [00:13:44,780]: We’ll see what happens [00:13:45,520]: And I think Roberts is a critically important character even though most people think he’s a limp noodle [00:13:51,719]: But he did that [00:13:52,799]: And for him that was like screaming I think I believe according to lawyers I know [00:13:57,380]: In another power and by the way Trump is lost and lost and lost yesterday particularly over and over and over again [00:14:03,460]: But the question then becomes does that mean anything when you lose if they just start ignoring those court decisions [00:14:10,940]: Right [00:14:11,200]: I think he has started to not ignore them on some things and the others they play fast and cute especially that border czar Tom Homan [00:14:18,880]: What a clown [00:14:19,539]: Anyway President Trump just fired by the way the two Democratic members of the FTC which is very illegal saying their service is inconsistent with my administration’s policies [00:14:29,520]: That’s right because they’re Democrats [00:14:31,159]: Just for people to know the FTC typically has five members with the president’s party holding three of those seats [00:14:37,340]: They’re seven year terms [00:14:38,940]: You can’t fire them except for gross incompetence not inconsistent with my administration’s That’s the whole point of having two members be from a different party [00:14:48,419]: The two fired Democrats Rebecca Kelly Slaughter who I know very well and Alvara Bedoya plan to challenge Trump’s decision in court obviously [00:14:57,760]: Bedoya told the New York Times when people hear the news they need not think about me [00:15:01,640]: They need to think about the billionaires behind the president and his inauguration [00:15:05,119]: And that’s exactly what this is [00:15:06,900]: This is a payback to the people who sat on the front row [00:15:13,400]: FTC is investigating all of these companies [00:15:15,640]: Whether you agree with them or not they’ll lose in court if they’re not [00:15:19,059]: They don’t have a good case again [00:15:22,239]: And the guy who runs the FTC is such an anxious toady [00:15:26,559]: Andrew Ferguson let me name him [00:15:27,940]: You’re an anxious toady [00:15:29,679]: To allow these people they’re going to have a dominance [00:15:33,679]: They need to add one more person to the FTC [00:15:37,219]: But they’re going to have a dominance anyway so I don’t know why they need to do this [00:15:40,940]: But it really does [00:15:42,500]: It feels like payback to everybody standing up there at Trump all the tech billionaires in terms of antitrust cases and everything else [00:15:51,460]: Even if you didn’t agree with Lena Khan that’s the whole point here is the party in power gets to decide [00:15:58,500]: And this is just a wholesale giveaway to the billionaires once again [00:16:04,640]: Yeah you have [00:16:05,299]: Essentially what people or what Democrats have failed to do is connect antitrust with lower inflation [00:16:13,099]: And that is it’s no accident that Google announced they were going to acquire I think it was called Whiz Company last year [00:16:22,840]: And the FTC and DOJ said we have some concerns [00:16:25,700]: And they called it off [00:16:28,760]: And Whiz filed to go public [00:16:31,340]: Now had Biden been reelected or excuse me Harris been elected it’s likely that Whiz would have gone public and Google would have had a competitor which would have meant that enterprises that used these products would have had more options which results in competition which results in lower prices [00:16:47,859]: But because Trump was elected the FTC and the DOJ have effectively have an entirely different complexion now in terms of the bar or how high the bar needs to be to file an action to block a merger and acquisition [00:17:01,340]: And what do you know [00:17:02,080]: Google came back and said let’s acquire this company [00:17:06,640]: So under the Biden administration last year was a record low for M A [00:17:11,660]: But you’re going to see a lot you’re going to see a further consolidation of power [00:17:15,819]: And one of the biggest issues facing our economy is really boring [00:17:19,540]: And it’s the boring stuff that moves the needle [00:17:21,280]: And it’s the fact that across everything from home renovations to chicken to things like fertilizer much less digital media there are a small handful of companies that control the entire market [00:17:34,319]: And the result is in concentrated industries they can charge higher rents on corporations and on consumers [00:17:41,199]: So if you want I mean it sounds really boring [00:17:43,680]: But if you want inflation to come down over the medium and long term you want a really robust FTC and DOJ [00:17:49,459]: And they’re no longer that [00:17:50,959]: They’re basically there to say OK [00:17:53,020]: Jonathan Canterhot on the podcast was more optimistic [00:17:57,540]: He said that a lot of people still at the FTC and the DOJ are not exactly they’re not just going to roll over [00:18:03,020]: They are especially the DOJ [00:18:05,780]: But we still haven’t been able to effectively on the left communicate that M A while it feels like capitalism and it’s more macho and get out of the way of companies there are a surprise [00:18:19,160]: We have seven companies basically driving the stock market right now [00:18:24,140]: Sorry go ahead Kara [00:18:25,339]: Google bought the Wiz for 32 billion for people who don’t know [00:18:27,979]: It’s a security cloud company cloud security startup [00:18:30,900]: I think it’s the biggest acquisition ever [00:18:32,400]: It is [00:18:33,099]: It’s enormous [00:18:34,339]: It’s an enormous [00:18:35,160]: Obviously Microsoft and Amazon have been doing great in the cloud services area [00:18:38,959]: And so Google wanted to beef it up [00:18:40,680]: There is competition here [00:18:42,660]: But this is a crazy this is a lot of people feel you know they were going to buy it for 23 billion last year [00:18:49,540]: But there was concerns from federal regulators and especially about the need for more competition including with Amazon and Microsoft [00:19:00,020]: So now it does boil down to three right all the time [00:19:03,619]: It boils down to two to three [00:19:05,959]: So it really is anti competitive because it’s one of the most fast growing software companies in the world right now [00:19:13,280]: So it’s taking out again a really robust competitor which is really something to see [00:19:21,819]: Well when companies so it’s not okay it’s their biggest acquisition ever [00:19:27,800]: It’s only a 1 5 dilution to their stock price [00:19:30,699]: They have a 2 trillion market cap [00:19:33,319]: They can make a 30 billion acquisition [00:19:35,640]: I mean these companies are just so enormous and have so much capital that they can I mean they’re not going to do it here but they could afford to buy this and do an aqua kill and just kill it if they were bothering them because a 1 5 dilution to the stock price it’s just not quite frankly 30 billion is a lot of money [00:19:56,020]: A dilution of 1 5 of your outstanding stock is not [00:19:59,520]: And these companies these big companies have such an advantage because the reality is if they see any sort of strategic reason whatsoever to acquire a company no one else can compete [00:20:12,540]: There’s a small handful of companies that have multi trillion dollar market caps that you just can’t it’s like when the kingdom decides they’re bidding on the world cup no other bidder even shows up because every other country was like why bother [00:20:27,119]: Why even go through the hassle of finding the former governor of the province of Brazil or whatever putting together a team putting together a group of people putting our best foot forward [00:20:37,500]: Why even bother when we know the kingdom is showing up [00:20:40,359]: And if one of these players shows up for an acquisition it’s over it’s done [00:20:45,680]: FTC chairperson Ferguson again Unctuous Toady is his new nickname posted a statement on X saying he had no doubts about Trump’s constitutional authority to remove commissioners [00:20:54,780]: Oh my God it literally says he can’t remove commissioners [00:20:58,239]: It’s so weird [00:20:59,160]: It’s like them saying oh president someone met her a MAGA saying president can stay three terms [00:21:07,520]: And I was like the 22nd amendment says you can’t [00:21:10,939]: And these people are arguing the constitution says you can’t [00:21:13,439]: Literally the opposite of what it says they say [00:21:17,099]: And it’s so irritating [00:21:18,619]: Senator Maria Cantwell and Amy Klobuchar by the way who serve on the committees that oversee the FTC even though they don’t have power right now president Trump’s dismissal of commissioner slaughter in Bedoya not only illegal but also hurts consumers by undermining an independent agency that Congress established to protect consumers from fraud scams and monopoly power [00:21:36,579]: Now the FTC is moving forward with its META lawsuits [00:21:43,339]: Ferguson said they’re going to move forward with META but we’ll see [00:21:48,459]: We’ll see [00:21:49,459]: I think that’s probably their strongest case [00:21:51,800]: And again if they can move forward with these things and if they lose they lose right [00:21:57,400]: So we’ll see how much they’re going forward [00:22:00,739]: So I guess Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance didn’t help as much as the others essentially [00:22:05,219]: Anyway let’s go on a quick break and we come back [00:22:10,140]: Starlink gets installed at the White House [00:22:11,479]: Even worse [00:22:12,219]: God it just gets worse and worse [00:22:14,500]: Scott we’re back [00:22:15,359]: Starlink is now accessible at the White House [00:22:17,199]: White House officials said the move was an effort to increase internet availability saying some areas of property couldn’t get self service [00:22:22,520]: This is nonsense [00:22:23,800]: The system was reportedly routed through the White House data center [00:22:27,719]: Officials said Starlink donated the service and the gift was vetted by lawyers overseeing ethics issues at the White House Counsel’s Office [00:22:33,540]: So many tech people say this is really dangerous [00:22:37,260]: I can’t even tell you [00:22:39,099]: It’s like Putin’s listening device in the White House and just opens everything up [00:22:47,160]: But lots and lots of tech people are like this is not something you want to happen on the White House grounds [00:22:52,479]: But presumably they already have a direct line [00:22:55,020]: So I don’t know [00:22:55,680]: What do you think [00:22:56,339]: It’s also ethically ridiculous [00:22:58,500]: Well it’s more just sort of the White House is turning into a giant infomercial for its political allies [00:23:04,839]: But in addition I think it’s stupid of SpaceX and Starlink [00:23:09,719]: Starlink I absolutely love Starlink [00:23:12,060]: I think it’s an amazing product [00:23:13,300]: It’s a superior product [00:23:14,660]: And its competitors all of a sudden have seen their stock prices surge and have access to capital to potentially at some point be a competitor [00:23:22,020]: I think Jeff Bezos I think everyone is eyeing this space going these guys have created an opening because of Musk’s kind of overt political activity [00:23:31,800]: I’m now thinking how do I get rid of or how do I not use Starlink [00:23:37,099]: And I just think this is a dumb move for them [00:23:40,500]: People are he is alienating 52 of the population overnight with his products [00:23:46,239]: And I just want to give a shout out to me [00:23:49,040]: I sold my Tesla before it was cool three years ago [00:23:51,839]: You did I remember [00:23:54,119]: And I don’t know if you saw Senator Kelly just made a big deal of him selling his Tesla [00:24:01,479]: This is next [00:24:03,079]: Starlink if you they basically decided to politicize this product [00:24:09,099]: And I think just on an economic level shareholders SpaceX is one of the most actively traded and most valuable private companies on the secondary market [00:24:16,680]: It’s also responsible now for the majority [00:24:19,760]: It’s the largest source of wealth now for Musk because he owns so much of it [00:24:24,900]: And it’s an incredible product [00:24:27,140]: But it looks like it’s going to go the same way of Tesla [00:24:30,500]: That is it’s attracting a ton of competition [00:24:33,660]: People will catch up [00:24:34,540]: And then people given sort of a coin flip or a tiebreaker will opt for the company that’s not run by someone whose politics they don’t agree with [00:24:42,660]: So I think it’s a stupid move [00:24:44,619]: I just don’t know why they the security issues to me or whatever [00:24:47,680]: They can get whatever they want from this guy the Russians [00:24:50,140]: You can imagine this creates a more porous environment which is maybe the point [00:24:55,680]: Another thing that I thought of you when I read it was the HHS has removed another thing they’re doing besides making us less secure is also from a technical point of view is removing information from websites all over the government that mentions people [00:25:11,219]: And there’s two things that really stood out [00:25:12,719]: The first the HHS has removed the Surgeon General’s advisory on gun violence from its website [00:25:17,859]: Spokesperson for the agency said the content was removed to comply with Trump’s executive order to protect Second Amendment rights [00:25:23,819]: Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U S also recently removed [00:25:28,079]: This was heinous [00:25:29,199]: Articles about Native American code talkers have been removed from some military websites including having been labeled DEI [00:25:36,219]: The Navajo code talkers aided America’s victory at Iwo Jima [00:25:39,920]: Historically critically important group of people who did this [00:25:44,819]: And I think they just they’re removing all kinds of things that well some words don’t work and they end up removing the wrong thing because they have a list of fucking words that don’t work instead of going through this kind of thing [00:25:56,260]: They just do this wholesale you know cut and paste essentially [00:26:01,099]: Replacing this information is going to be very difficult over time because it will be replaced eventually [00:26:05,780]: But between the firearms and these code talkers I feel like I’m living in 1984 like in the book 1984 [00:26:13,180]: I don’t know how you feel [00:26:14,619]: This is I mean again it’s difficult to know where to focus because you know the hits keep on coming [00:26:21,300]: But as you referenced number one source of death for children in the United States past accidents cancer drowning drug poisonings is now firearms [00:26:31,099]: And as someone who left the U S two and a half years ago I’m just telling you a free gift with purchase living in the U K is you don’t have these horror fantasies involving gun deaths or mass shooters [00:26:44,540]: And 54 of U S adults report that either they or a family member have experienced a firearm related incident [00:26:52,000]: One in five have a family member who was killed by a firearm including suicide [00:26:57,760]: And then going back to I always like to ground everything in a personal parable [00:27:04,040]: When I sold my first company Profit there was like a 20 year anniversary of the company [00:27:10,479]: I started the company when I was 26 [00:27:12,040]: And me and the other co founder were not invited [00:27:15,699]: The CEO wanted it to be all about him [00:27:18,300]: Fine OK have at it [00:27:19,959]: And we used to joke that we were living in a fascist state and we were Trotsky being erased from photos [00:27:26,839]: And even we heard about them showing up to clients and referring to themselves as the founders [00:27:32,920]: We were literally erased from the scrolls of history from this company despite the fact that we had hired everybody that was now claiming they were the founders [00:27:41,074]: And to go back to go back in history and say to the you know the two and a half million African Americans that registered for the draft the one million African Americans that fought in World War II the 33 000 Japanese Americans who fought mostly in the European theater despite the fact that maybe their parents had been sent to confinement camps 120 000 Americans of Japanese ancestry and then to not at least nod that many of them served in World War II [00:28:11,994]: There was 20 000 Chinese Americans there were 44 000 Native Americans somewhere between five and ten percent of the entire indigenous population fought in World War II a quarter of a million Filipino Americans 400 000 Hispanic Americans [00:28:26,634]: And to not acknowledge that is to not acknowledge one of the great one of the great victories one of the great civil rights advancements in American history that makes our military so – the U S military I believe is the most impressive organization in history [00:28:44,634]: And across you know many of its achievements and many of its victories it was also a tremendous means of progress in civil rights because there’s something about wearing the same uniform and being dependent upon the guy or the gal next to you that has a tendency to make you look at each other for your character and your skills and nothing else [00:29:05,374]: And the armed services have been an outstanding means of progress for special interest groups [00:29:10,554]: And to remove their commitment and their sacrifice it’s just so un American [00:29:15,834]: And it basically – It’s un American it’s petty and it’s cruel and it’s weird [00:29:18,954]: It’s just weird [00:29:20,094]: It’s just so weird [00:29:21,194]: I mean especially these – the gun stuff is beyond belief [00:29:25,614]: It’s just a fact [00:29:26,554]: And I think what’s really – I mean obviously it’s yet another attempt like with the judges [00:29:30,514]: This has a theme everybody [00:29:32,494]: You remove the judges you remove information you only tell people – I don’t think it works at all [00:29:37,154]: I honestly don’t [00:29:37,954]: I think people are sick and tired of this and they get it [00:29:39,994]: And Americans are a uniquely difficult group of people [00:29:43,134]: And so I don’t think it works [00:29:44,694]: I don’t think it holds [00:29:46,354]: I think in other countries sometimes it does [00:29:48,854]: But in this one I think people get furious about especially stuff like this [00:29:53,514]: I mean literally just to – they have one issue with DEI and they cannot stop [00:29:59,394]: That’s the thing [00:30:00,354]: They cannot stop with one or two things [00:30:02,434]: They’ve got to completely erase everything especially this cut and paste of words [00:30:07,394]: Like they – I forget what they took out some dumb thing [00:30:09,654]: But that’s beyond – this to me is ridiculous [00:30:12,974]: And everyone knows that gun violence kills kids [00:30:16,274]: That’s it [00:30:16,774]: I don’t care how many things they take down everybody knows [00:30:20,514]: And everyone’s aware of it and they will pay the price here for going overboard on almost everything [00:30:26,594]: Well we hope they’ll pay the price [00:30:28,554]: I think they will pay the price [00:30:29,594]: So far they haven’t [00:30:31,294]: We keep hoping and waiting [00:30:33,074]: But just back to the erasing people from photos of history and a really positive part of our history you’re going to Puerto Rico 53 000 Puerto Ricans fought in World War II [00:30:43,334]: I love all your stats [00:30:44,654]: 400 000 Hispanic Americans including 350 000 Mexican Americans [00:30:50,374]: These are people who came here felt really fortunate to be a part of this great experiment called America and decided to put themselves – and risk bodily harm to serve in a uniform to fight for the rights of all Americans [00:31:05,814]: And we’re erasing them from history [00:31:09,074]: It’s just – it’s very strange and self defeating [00:31:12,214]: And how likely are people going to be to raise their hand and say I will fight for my country thinking that at some point my contribution might be starched from history [00:31:23,014]: It’s very disappointing to say the least [00:31:25,654]: And it’s very typical [00:31:26,794]: It’s not a surprise [00:31:27,454]: I think karma’s a bitch [00:31:28,454]: I think putting people in jail that never had a criminal record without due process everything is – karma’s going to be such a bitch here [00:31:34,594]: I just believe that because it’s one thing after the next where injustice happens [00:31:40,274]: And so we’ll see [00:31:41,354]: Let’s go on a quick break [00:31:42,774]: We come back we’ll talk about BYD’s big breakthrough [00:31:46,554]: Scott we’re back [00:31:47,354]: Chinese EV company BYD is promoting a new fast charging technology that can allegedly add 250 mile range in a five minute charge [00:31:54,774]: Woo I was very excited about this [00:31:56,674]: The new battery and charging system will be used in BYD’s next generation vehicles and the company plans to build more than 4 000 ultra fast chargers across China [00:32:04,274]: This puts BYD well ahead of Tesla whose superchargers currently add around 170 miles of range for a 15 minute charge [00:32:11,914]: It takes longer than that just so you know [00:32:13,974]: BYD shares hit a record high yesterday on the news [00:32:16,794]: The company is up more than 50 percent for the year with a 160 billion market cap as Tesla is down 30 some percent 37 percent [00:32:26,054]: It goes up and down but it’s mostly 30 percent for the year [00:32:30,514]: Is this Tesla’s deep seek moment [00:32:32,514]: Tesla stock is currently headed for its ninth straight weekly loss [00:32:35,134]: It’s now 53 percent below all time highs [00:32:37,934]: Statistically everybody’s gaining including U S makers of EVs all over the place [00:32:44,714]: Tesla is losing market share and of course there’s the protests that go on across the country [00:32:51,354]: He’s trying to get an assist from Attorney General Pam Bondi who is labeling recent attacks on Tesla dealerships an act of domestic terrorism directed at Elon Musk who was weeping about it on Fox News saying he’s only done lovely things for people his whole life and he’s never been violent [00:33:06,114]: Well fine he’s created the situation where people die but that’s whatever you say Elon [00:33:12,074]: Bondi said in a statement that the DOJ will investigate these incidents and pose severe consequences on the people involved [00:33:18,454]: There’s definitely an organized protest across interestingly by the person paying for it is the wife of Steve Jervison who is Elon’s pal the ex wife who’s a big Democratic donor is helping get these things organized these protests which is perfectly within the rights of her and the protesters to do obviously not within the rights of our violence but they’re certainly allowed to cause all kinds of ruckuses in front of these places and put up Nazi pictures of Elon and stuff like that [00:33:51,354]: So these two things BYD is just doing the in one hand BYD is doing the innovative things Tesla should be doing if its CEO was paying attention [00:34:00,374]: And secondly if people don’t like Elon Musk they can protest against him [00:34:03,954]: And for the attorney general to call it domestic terrorism is really beyond the pale [00:34:09,574]: Again an ad for Elon Musk by the president his own personal attorney general [00:34:14,634]: In the first two months of this year Tesla sold 60 000 vehicles BYD sold 481 000 [00:34:23,614]: And that represents year of BYD in a 14 decline for Tesla [00:34:33,954]: And despite Tesla losing a third of its value in the last month it’s still if Tesla trades like other car companies that are growing at the same rate which is declining now the majority of car companies are growing faster than Tesla [00:34:50,934]: That puts its stock at about 14 a share [00:34:54,094]: So the notion that somehow Tesla has had some market correction we haven’t even seen a correction [00:35:01,974]: And the protests [00:35:02,754]: What do you think of the protests [00:35:03,794]: They continue [00:35:04,514]: They haven’t stopped which is really interesting [00:35:07,094]: I’m look it tickles my sensors [00:35:12,254]: I like I’m of two minds [00:35:16,934]: And that is I don’t think people should damage physical property [00:35:20,394]: I joke that whenever I get a Tesla I cancel or I let it wait outside [00:35:24,894]: I have started canceling when I get Teslas and I try to put it in the notes while they can on Uber [00:35:29,434]: I don’t think people should deface property [00:35:32,914]: I don’t think people should feel unsafe in their cars [00:35:35,954]: But a protest peaceful protest is an American Or calling a Cybertruck owner an asshole [00:35:41,794]: If you choose to buy it I think that’s perfectly fine [00:35:44,334]: I think if it See I don’t agree [00:35:46,314]: You buy a Cybertruck I do think there needs to be It’s such an obnoxious truck [00:35:51,354]: For the benefit of all of us I don’t do it [00:35:53,634]: I think we err on the side of civility [00:35:56,534]: Quite frankly I didn’t like it when JD Vance gets booed on a ski mountain with his family [00:36:01,074]: It tickles my sensors but I think that in America ideally you want to err on the side of giving people some grace when they’re out in public including driving their car [00:36:12,134]: I’m turning into an old person You are because I think that’s exactly what it is to be an American [00:36:17,134]: I think Americans do that [00:36:18,834]: I didn’t mind when all the Christians went nuts about Disney [00:36:22,934]: They can protest [00:36:23,874]: I didn’t love the Nazis up front [00:36:25,114]: I’m not saying you can’t protest [00:36:26,974]: What I’m saying is if someone is out skiing with their family if someone is driving a car I don’t think verbally assaulting them or verbally screaming at them that’s your right [00:36:36,134]: I’m not saying it’s not legal but it doesn’t mean it’s right [00:36:39,094]: And I think one of the nice things about America is that we do have a certain level of comity or respect for each other [00:36:45,614]: I was at a party an F1 party in Las Vegas and someone showed up wearing a MAGA hat [00:36:51,254]: And that individual a woman was kind of immediately surrounded and people started shouting at her [00:36:55,974]: I did not think that was right either [00:36:58,794]: They should be able to wear a MAGA hat [00:37:01,294]: And I think we have to err on the side when we’re out in public err on the side of civility [00:37:06,514]: You have the right to say things but calling someone an asshole because they get out of a certain brand of car we’re just a slow burn into an erosion in everyone’s quality of life [00:37:17,694]: I don’t know [00:37:18,214]: I think it’s sort of a long tradition of the United States doing this [00:37:21,234]: I think you’re living in a country that doesn’t [00:37:24,294]: I feel like I don’t love a lot of it but this Cybertruck in particular is somewhat offensive to my eyes and that’s probably one of the reasons it compared to a lot of cars [00:37:33,934]: But you know you’ve been in a line and some dick douche nozzle drives up in a Ferrari who obviously is just rich and it’s compensating and everyone goes hmm like this under the breath right [00:37:46,394]: Instead of saying Yeah but they don’t start screaming hey you little dick weirdo [00:37:48,734]: They just say let him or her get his or her coffee and get about their day [00:37:53,354]: I don’t True [00:37:54,534]: True [00:37:55,234]: True [00:37:55,574]: I don’t know [00:37:56,154]: I think the protests in front of these Tesla showrooms are fine [00:38:01,154]: I think that’s the way you express your I agree [00:38:04,154]: I think there’s a difference between that and yelling at people while they’re going about their day [00:38:10,014]: I don’t Anyway I’ll stop yelling at you Scott [00:38:12,934]: Okay fine [00:38:13,814]: You want it [00:38:14,494]: Fine [00:38:15,514]: There you go [00:38:16,314]: Dick dick [00:38:17,114]: There you go [00:38:17,774]: Oh I did a little smile [00:38:18,794]: I have to pay women to yell at me [00:38:21,194]: I should do that to you [00:38:22,554]: I don’t know Scott [00:38:23,354]: I like your niceness but I think it’s okay if people want to express themselves [00:38:27,554]: I think people get the message [00:38:29,194]: Obviously a lot of people are selling them because they don’t like being called assholes [00:38:32,154]: There’s very Republican dominated MAGA loving parts of this country that I think you and I can go to go about our day and people generally say I don’t agree with their politics [00:38:42,834]: Maybe I don’t even think they’re Interesting [00:38:44,154]: Maybe I even think Kara and Scott are bad for America but I’m going to let them get on with their day [00:38:49,414]: See you live a different life than I’ve been called a dyke in so many southern states [00:38:52,874]: I can’t even tell you [00:38:53,734]: And that’s wrong [00:38:54,774]: And that’s wrong [00:38:55,674]: Yes [00:38:56,214]: I’m like whatever dude [00:38:58,094]: I always have a line [00:38:59,394]: I always have a line [00:38:59,894]: I always go they’ll say something like especially assuming the kids and things like that they’ll say something and I’ll go you’re the alternative and then it tends to shut it down [00:39:10,034]: But I have been attacked so many times in apparently civil states that and I don’t care [00:39:16,654]: I don’t care [00:39:17,474]: I always have a line and I feel sorry for them [00:39:20,314]: You should be able to have a certain confidence in America you’re going to be able to live your life without worrying about being verbally assaulted or treated with a lack of respect or dignity [00:39:30,494]: That’s what we do in a civil society [00:39:32,934]: That’s what you do in America [00:39:33,654]: That would be nice for all of us who aren’t some people but it doesn’t happen [00:39:37,874]: Well again I don’t have your lived experience but don’t you generally feel that you’re fairly you can go about your day [00:39:45,234]: And I mean is that the case [00:39:46,494]: You really feel like in a lot of places [00:39:48,754]: Certain places I don’t go [00:39:49,434]: Yeah [00:39:49,714]: I keep telling you this [00:39:50,694]: I feel uncomfortable [00:39:51,714]: I feel like if I say something about my kids or Amanda and I express any affection in public I’m very worried [00:39:58,414]: And especially comments it’s always comments [00:40:03,554]: And it’s something you think about in the back of your mind [00:40:06,334]: And I think a lot of people very different people think about it all the time [00:40:09,814]: Women walking down a street at night it’s a very different lived experience [00:40:14,034]: But I always have a line back because I’ve gotten it so much [00:40:18,014]: I always have like are you the alternative [00:40:21,474]: Blah blah blah [00:40:21,954]: I have a bunch of them that I do [00:40:24,254]: And it feels like it’s like breathing [00:40:27,254]: You endure it all the time [00:40:29,314]: One time it happens when I was the kids [00:40:34,034]: Not who’s the mother [00:40:35,234]: That’s another one people love [00:40:36,434]: Who’s the dad [00:40:37,154]: They always like to do that one which is fine whatever they’re ignorant [00:40:40,434]: For people driving a certain car and for people of a different sexual orientation I think that we should shame anyone that gives us people a hard time [00:40:49,634]: What about a lesbian in a Cybertruck [00:40:51,634]: There you go [00:40:52,234]: You do that [00:40:53,194]: Isn’t that if you’d said a lesbian in a Subaru I would have said well that’s redundant [00:40:57,294]: Yeah that’s true [00:40:57,834]: See [00:40:58,174]: We don’t mind [00:40:58,994]: We’re fine with it [00:40:59,554]: I don’t care [00:41:00,894]: But I’m sure there are lesbians who have Cybertrucks but I’m not speaking to them anymore [00:41:04,874]: The thing that you’ve got to be really fearful of is that the LGBT starts a militia and they call themselves Al Gheda [00:41:11,234]: Oh my God [00:41:11,994]: It’s Militia Etherage [00:41:13,094]: That’s the show [00:41:13,534]: Oh that’s right [00:41:13,694]: Sorry [00:41:13,974]: That’s right [00:41:14,614]: Anyway Al Gheda [00:41:15,774]: That’s very funny [00:41:16,394]: I like that [00:41:17,894]: So this is one that’s sort of in your wheelhouse [00:41:20,614]: Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy this week the second time in six years this time putting the blame on fast fashion retailers Timu and Sheehan in a court filing [00:41:31,854]: Forever 21 noted non U S [00:41:33,654]: retailers selling products at drastically lower prices made it difficult to retain a core customer base [00:41:38,474]: Company plans to liquidate while looking for a buyer for its business or its assets [00:41:42,694]: Sheehan and Timu are facing their own struggles with Trump’s tariff so he delayed cracking down on the loophole that exempts low cost items from getting taxed [00:41:51,034]: He probably won’t delay on it [00:41:53,134]: I don’t know [00:41:53,774]: I just think Forever 21 sucks [00:41:55,994]: But what do you think here [00:41:57,374]: I just think it sucks [00:41:58,374]: It just sucks [00:41:59,054]: I think I’m summarizing [00:42:00,134]: And the other two don’t [00:42:01,174]: And the other two don’t even if they have advantages in China [00:42:05,534]: Look I’ve said this that a de minimis loophole that favors foreign retailers over domestic fine [00:42:14,374]: I think there’s an argument that they should do away with it create a level playing field [00:42:19,114]: I get that [00:42:20,094]: But Forever 21 I group into a group of specialty retailers whose value proposition I would identify as dressing 15 year old girls up like sluts [00:42:28,534]: I just— God [00:42:30,874]: I know that [00:42:31,854]: I agree [00:42:32,414]: I mean there’s an entire genre of retailers who literally like send your 15 year old and we’ll make her look like a slut [00:42:38,334]: I mean that’s essentially what the fashion was or the genre [00:42:42,814]: It was you know anyways I don’t— I used to I get some even today when you’re looking for kids clothes a lot of the girls clothes are really questionable and the boys clothes rock [00:42:55,134]: They’re like so cool [00:42:56,254]: They’re like so interesting [00:42:57,634]: And the girls clothes are always like some of them are like ooh no no no [00:43:01,154]: I think it’s Instagram [00:43:01,954]: I think it’s the algorithm sexualizing girls but anyways— Yeah [00:43:06,934]: But look there is—I mean if you look at what’s happening and I love this that if you look at over the past 20 years inflation adjusted clothing prices have dropped about 50 percent and unit consumption has doubled [00:43:19,694]: And this kind of connects back to antitrust [00:43:22,374]: The clothing and apparel industry is globalized [00:43:25,774]: It’s relatively terror friendly and it’s incredibly robust meaning there’s a ton of competition [00:43:31,134]: And what does that mean [00:43:32,274]: It means that Americans can buy more at a lower price [00:43:35,854]: On an inflation adjusted basis the price of apparel has been cut in half [00:43:40,734]: And by the way folks when things get cut in half in price it means your prosperity skyrockets [00:43:46,394]: We want competition [00:43:47,794]: We want—and if you don’t realize what tariffs are going to do about 99 percent of our clothes—no I’m sorry 97 percent of our clothes— Made abroad [00:43:59,334]: Are made abroad [00:44:00,654]: What’s a good U S retailer that competes with Sheehan and Timu [00:44:05,134]: Who would you say [00:44:06,214]: I mean there are all the expensive ones right [00:44:08,694]: Oh there’s no low cost maker [00:44:10,334]: I remember— There’s no low cost [00:44:11,394]: There’s expensive ones like Hannah Anderson Rocks or there’s all kinds of really wonderful higher end children’s clothing for example [00:44:18,394]: I’m just thinking of children’s clothing [00:44:21,134]: But it’s—I mean I’m trying to think [00:44:23,874]: H M I like a lot [00:44:25,314]: I like the other one [00:44:27,154]: H M’s not U S Yeah no they’re not U S The iconic U S fashion specialty retailers are in my opinion urban outfitters [00:44:38,714]: Urban and Free People are two of the hottest brands but the majority if not all of their manufacturing is abroad [00:44:45,414]: I remember—and I always love an opportunity to have a professional flex [00:44:49,334]: The first—one of the first consulting clients I had one of my mentors was a guy named Warren Hellman of Hellman Friedman and he said I have a great assignment for you [00:44:56,534]: I was like 27 and I’d started this quote unquote strategy firm [00:44:59,194]: He said I want you to come to Levi Strauss Company board meetings [00:45:02,314]: I don’t want you to talk to anybody [00:45:03,574]: I want you to listen to the entire board meeting and then I want you to stand up and give your view [00:45:06,914]: And it was me and a guy named Lee Clough from Chia Day got to do this for four board meetings [00:45:12,974]: And one of the first things I said was they had back in the 90s Levi Strauss Company still had domestic manufacturing [00:45:20,054]: And the Haas family who are very paternal and really civic minded were very committed to keeping domestic manufacturing [00:45:27,054]: And the CFO got up there and I—you know I can do math [00:45:31,254]: I said what is the cost per unit producing domestically [00:45:34,654]: And it was like I think it was 11 a pair [00:45:36,834]: And the cost to bring in the same quality from just across the border in Mexico or I forget where we were Honduras was 3 80 [00:45:46,494]: And so I’m like OK but just to be clear what you have decided is that you’re giving people naturally artificially high wages that once they’re laid off there’s going to be nowhere else to go [00:45:57,834]: And eventually of course they outsourced all of their production [00:46:00,714]: We are meant to go to the lowest cost provider for more prosperity [00:46:05,514]: We need to maintain a certain level of domestic production [00:46:07,894]: For example the shoe industry has these ridiculous tariffs claiming that if we go to war we need domestic manufacture of boots which is just stupid right [00:46:16,234]: We could spin up a factory to build boots pretty quickly [00:46:19,014]: But the clothing industry is an example of an increase in prosperity because we’ve globalized it and we don’t have massive tariffs [00:46:27,174]: So I mean it’s striking how Timu and Shein like one out of five things purchased over the holidays were from those two companies [00:46:35,434]: But Forever 21 it just like you said it just couldn’t compete nor should it [00:46:42,174]: I like it when nations compete for our dollar [00:46:44,634]: It just sucked [00:46:44,754]: It just sucked [00:46:45,394]: Oh I never could go in that store [00:46:46,754]: It was terrible [00:46:47,394]: And I like a cheap clothing store [00:46:49,394]: In any case we’ll see what happens with the others [00:46:52,314]: But obviously as Scott said it’s global [00:46:54,314]: All right Scott one more quick break [00:46:56,374]: OK Scott let’s pivot to a listener question [00:46:59,294]: Hey Scott Cara [00:47:00,334]: It’s Kyle from New York big fan of the show [00:47:02,974]: I had a question about Trump’s proposed federal income tax elimination for anyone making less than 150 000 a year [00:47:11,994]: I’ve heard a lot of discussion recently about how Trump’s economic policies really only benefit the wealthy and harm the younger less wealthy portion of the population [00:47:25,854]: This policy seems like it’s in response to that discussion [00:47:31,134]: I’m curious from your perspective is this a moment where credit is given or credit is due or is this more hand waving [00:47:38,554]: Curious your thoughts [00:47:39,494]: Thanks guys [00:47:40,674]: Scott why don’t you take this quickly [00:47:43,734]: I would like to see a tax holiday on anyone making under a certain amount or people under the age of 40 similar to what Portugal’s done [00:47:52,414]: The problem is will this come at the cost of Social Security [00:47:55,794]: We need to hear more [00:47:57,414]: I hope it’s not populist bullshit [00:47:58,874]: I need to do more analysis [00:48:02,254]: I think it makes a lot more sense in this ridiculous no tax on tips [00:48:05,794]: The waiter gets a tax cut but not the dishwasher [00:48:07,794]: The reality is the majority of people in the services industry don’t pay any taxes anyways because they don’t make enough money [00:48:12,554]: I just need to understand more about this [00:48:14,974]: We’ll see [00:48:14,934]: Yeah we’ll see [00:48:16,774]: In concept it’s a great idea [00:48:19,834]: Again what’s really the point is rich people need to pay more taxes [00:48:23,094]: I don’t know why that never gets Corporations [00:48:26,414]: That’s really what has to happen [00:48:26,914]: We’re paying the lowest amount of GDP as represented by the taxes since 1939 [00:48:31,554]: Just a quick note on the last thing it’s worth noting that Americans in this income range who make less than 150 000 they pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes [00:48:40,754]: Yeah so hand waving for right now [00:48:42,874]: Anyway you got a question of your own go to nymag com [00:48:45,634]: slash pivot to submit a question for the show or call 855 511 PIVOT [00:48:49,414]: Okay Scott one more quick break [00:48:50,734]: We’ll be back for predictions [00:48:52,814]: Okay Scott let’s hear a prediction [00:48:55,314]: Look I’m going to go off script here and I’m going to I don’t have a prediction but I’m especially slow today because I was up till 4 a m [00:49:07,194]: binge watching all four episodes of what I think is so far the media property other than the White Lotus of course the media property of 2025 or the media achievement [00:49:19,894]: Have you seen Adolescence Kara [00:49:22,294]: No I haven’t [00:49:23,214]: No I haven’t seen it at all [00:49:24,354]: I’ve heard about it [00:49:25,234]: I’ve heard it’s amazing and depressing and upsetting but everyone I’ve heard several people talk about it [00:49:30,214]: It is really powerful so I’m not going to give anything away here [00:49:34,094]: It’s a British crime drama miniseries from Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham and directed by Philip Barantini [00:49:41,434]: It’s about a 13 year old schoolboy who’s arrested for the murder of a female classmate [00:49:46,934]: And the interesting thing from a creative standpoint is each scene is shot in one take and it is so powerful [00:49:55,514]: It brings up social media [00:49:57,154]: It’s obviously violence crime father son relationships families the impact of social media the anxiety and depression that young people are dealing with [00:50:12,714]: It’s like if you wanted to explain to someone the stress that young people or adolescents are under and facing and what it means and how it ripples out in so many negative ways it would be really hard to do it more efficiently than watching this four part series [00:50:31,534]: Can I ask you a question [00:50:33,094]: I tend to avoid these things now even though I’ve heard a lot about this show and also Euphoria or any of these [00:50:39,054]: There was a documentary about teens [00:50:41,714]: There’s all kinds of these things [00:50:42,814]: I kind of avoid them because they’re so upsetting to me [00:50:45,494]: How do you deal with that [00:50:46,334]: Because you’re writing a book on it obviously which comes out when [00:50:50,454]: I’m moving it up [00:50:51,494]: I’m turning in my manuscript early [00:50:53,294]: I’m hoping that it’ll come out in November [00:50:55,314]: It was supposed to be streaming next year but I feel like the moment is going to pass if I don’t get it out soon [00:50:59,474]: No you should [00:51:00,354]: Josh Hawley’s writing a book on masculinity [00:51:02,514]: I’ve got to get it out [00:51:04,034]: What [00:51:04,074]: You need to dare him to a fight [00:51:06,474]: How is it watching these things [00:51:08,754]: I have noticed I have tended towards happy things when I’m watching things and Severance because it’s so good by the way season ender this Friday [00:51:18,394]: They either have to be really astonishing like Severance or very happy like Running Point [00:51:24,354]: I can’t [00:51:25,034]: Talk a little bit about this because you’re writing a book on it [00:51:26,894]: These topics are dire [00:51:29,334]: How do you manage to feel hopeful watching it [00:51:31,574]: That’s one of the reasons I avoided adolescence [00:51:34,034]: Well it’s easy Kara [00:51:34,834]: I’ve leaned into my anger and my depression [00:51:37,154]: I mean I’m not the person to talk to about maintaining a positive outlook [00:51:41,014]: I struggle with this shit [00:51:43,634]: One of the things you referenced which is a social norm which is kind of interesting is that in boom times or positive times tragedies and dramas are more popular [00:51:53,414]: Then in depressing times romantic comedies are much more popular [00:51:57,294]: People want to get out of the mood they’re in [00:51:59,614]: Or like White Lotus something that’s like… Yeah that’s just pure entertainment with some subculture [00:52:07,094]: By the way Sam Rockwell’s monologue from last week is incredible [00:52:11,634]: I heard [00:52:12,314]: I haven’t seen it yet [00:52:13,294]: But this is… I mean it talks a lot about school bullying via social media centered on incel subculture [00:52:22,274]: People don’t realize how powerful that is [00:52:23,954]: This week’s post I’m writing about porn which I think is playing an unfortunately increasingly not important large role in young men’s lives [00:52:32,134]: But this if you want to… If you’ve read about this stuff but don’t understand it and wonder want to see how it’s really impacting people on a ground level in an exceptionally compelling and gripping way [00:52:44,974]: But you asked me how I deal with it [00:52:46,934]: To be honest Cara I’m having trouble dealing with it [00:52:49,874]: For the first time in my life I was thinking about this the other day [00:52:53,054]: I’ve always been able to disassociate from the news [00:52:56,154]: Since this last election I’m having trouble disassociating [00:53:00,754]: I’m that guy who’s that fucking downer at a dinner party that turns everything into well yeah has anyone… You are posting happy things on… I’ve got to [00:53:08,434]: You really have [00:53:09,834]: A lot of them are delightful by the way [00:53:11,454]: Oh thanks [00:53:12,514]: But yeah so the answer is how do I handle this shit [00:53:16,434]: The answer is not well [00:53:17,834]: But this is such a powerful piece of media that it’s so satisfying because you feel as if you’ve learned and you can’t… I turned the thing on at midnight and that was up until 4 in the morning [00:53:31,194]: There you go [00:53:31,974]: I just couldn’t turn away from it [00:53:33,194]: All right adolescence is a recommendation and a prediction I guess [00:53:36,494]: Okay elsewhere in the Kara and Scott universe this week on Prof G Conversations Scott spoke another happy thing with Dr Fiona Hill a senior fellow at Brookings chancellor at Durham University and former White House Russia expert also testified during the impeachment hearing [00:53:51,274]: He’s a really smart person who worked for us and now does not [00:53:56,494]: Let’s listen to a clip [00:53:57,914]: The big difference between Trump and Putin is Trump is a totally one man show [00:54:02,994]: He’s destroying the state [00:54:04,794]: Putin operates within the state [00:54:06,874]: He’s a creature of the deep state [00:54:08,594]: He’s not dismantling the Russian state [00:54:10,354]: That was already dismantled under Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin [00:54:14,434]: For Trump he doesn’t really pay any attention to any of the people around him [00:54:16,834]: He uses them as emissaries and envoys but he doesn’t do his homework [00:54:20,014]: They can’t actually advise him on anything [00:54:22,214]: And that makes Trump very unpredictable [00:54:24,534]: So I think if Putin’s looking at his own crystal ball he also can’t say where this is going to go [00:54:29,374]: Okay that’s the show [00:54:30,574]: Thanks for listening to Pivot [00:54:31,494]: Be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel [00:54:33,854]: We’ll be back on Tuesday [00:54:35,794]: Scott read us out [00:54:37,274]: Today’s show was produced by Lara Niemann Zoe Marcus and Taylor Griffin [00:54:40,634]: Ernie and her taught engineer this episode [00:54:42,294]: Thanks also to Drew Burrows Miss Severio and Dan Shallon [00:54:45,734]: Nishat Kerouas Vox Media’s executive producer of audio [00:54:47,974]: Make sure you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts [00:54:50,574]: Thanks for listening to Pivot from New York Magazine and Vox Media [00:54:53,254]: You can subscribe to the magazine at nymag com slash pod [00:54:56,594]: We’ll be back next week for another breakdown of all things tech and business [00:55:00,354]: Adolescence on Netflix [00:55:07,234]: Subs by www zeoranger co ukTranscribe your media with TRNSCRB.
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