Our president-elect posted that on Truth Social last month after dining with Elon Musk. In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, there has been a stampede of oligarchs vying to be friends with the vindictive man who will wield extraordinary political power beginning on January 20. [The link below offers a brief review of the most prominent.]
Billionaires are generally pragmatic men intent on preserving their measure of wealth and the enterprises that have brought them their fortunes. Regarding their bowing and scraping before the next president, they are acting in a consummately rational fashion. They have a great deal to lose (or to gain) from soon-to-be President Trump, who on a mere whim could impose significant losses on them (or send great benefits their way).
With this context, I offer the quote of the day (from Ezra Klein):
Democracy does not die in darkness. It degrades through deal-making — a procession of pragmatic transactions between those who have power and those who want it or fear it.
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