How Do Oligarchs Corrupt American Politics? (UPPER DUBLIN LIBRARY)

We will explore how some of the wealthiest men in America use their economic power to corrupt politics and government. The political influence of oligarchs in the United States has been growing for decades, as politicians of both parties have benefited from their campaign contributions and gifts, but Donald Trump and his family have, according to some journalists and historians set new records for political corruption.

We will explore how some of the wealthiest men in America use their economic power to corrupt politics and government. The political influence of oligarchs in the United States has been growing for decades, as politicians of both parties have benefited from their campaign contributions and gifts, but Donald Trump and his family have, according to some journalists and historians set new records for political corruption.

Two video clips are provided for background for our discussion. In an interview on MSNBC, host Ali Velshi interviews author Thom Hartmann about his book, The Hidden History of American Oligarchy. Harmann says, “President Donald Trump’s rise is not an anomaly – he is the product of forces set in motion 50 years ago, driven by massive deregulation and key Supreme Court decisions that dismantled a century of safeguards against corporate political spending.” See this video clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PXqRMmiKOk. It was broadcast almost a year ago, and it runs about 12 minutes.

The second video is from PBS Washington Week, hosted by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic. Goldberg pointed out that some presidents wait until they leave the White House to cash in, but President Trump has engaged aggressively in questionable deals from the beginning of his second term – everything from crypto currency, hotels, golf courses, and presidential memorabilia to airplanes. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cYsRyCcTFA . It was broadcast May 30, 2025, and it runs about 17 minutes.
Goldberg quotes his colleague at the Atlantic, David Frum, on Trump’s relationship to corruption:
“Nothing like this has ever been attempted or even imagined in the history of the American presidency. Throw away the history books, discard feeble comparisons to scandals of the past. There's no analogy with any previous action by any past president. The brazenness of the self-enrichment resembles nothing seen in any earlier White House. This is corruption on the scale of a post-Soviet republic or a post-colonial African dictatorship.”

Some questions to ponder:

• How has big money corrupted the Democratic and Republican parties?
• Has Trump set a new lower standard for self-dealing and corruption or has he simply taken advantage of long-declining standards for political integrity?
• Why does partisan loyalty seem to matter more than truth or integrity?
• How do conservative media defend Trump against claims of corruption? Are any of them valid?
• Is it better to engage in self-aggrandizement openly to avoid scandals?
• How does the rise of oligarchy enable Trump's self-dealing?
• What are some of Trump's quid pro quo deals?
• How does Trump avoid criticism by Republicans?
• Why is there so little outrage about Trump compared to Nixon’s or Clinton’s abuses of power?
• Is Trump’s behavior encouraging unscrupulous leaders in the states and around the world?