By Charles Switzer
10:48am PST, Feb 26, 2025
Professor Condemns Wealthy Elite for Cozying Up to Trump
CNN guest and NYU Professor
Scott Galloway took aim at the wealthiest Americans for aligning themselves with
Donald Trump's administration in an effort to protect their fortunes.
Speaking with
AC360 anchor
Anderson Cooper, Galloway criticized billionaires like
Elon Musk and
Jeff Bezos for prioritizing their wealth over American values.
"I fear that the wealthiest among us have this sort of unholy alliance where we're not really speaking up in a full-throated way," the academic said, calling on members of the elite to reject self-interest and stand up for democracy.
Here are four key points from Galloway's remarks, one of which includes First Lady
Melania Trump. MORE:
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The 'Domino of Cowardice' in Big Tech
Galloway argued that many of the country's wealthiest individuals, particularly in the tech sector, have remained silent because they see Trump's tax cuts as personally beneficial.
"They have gone into ChatGPT and uploaded their W-2s and realized that the tax cuts are going to be enormously beneficial for them," he remarked.
He described this as a "domino of cowardice," suggesting that the wealthiest figures in the country have placed personal gain over national interest.
Amazon's $40 Million Dollar Deal for Melania Trump's Documentary
One of the key examples Galloway pointed to was Amazon's recent agreement to pay $40 million dollars for licensing rights to a documentary about the First Lady, with more than 70 percent of the money reportedly going directly to the president's wife.
Galloway called out
the Amazon founder stating, "Bezos doesn't need any more yachts or people dancing around in thongs on his g—— deck." He suggested that the billionaire would regret failing to take a stand for American democracy rather than accumulate additional billions.
Comparing Trump's Kleptocracy to Historical Fascism
Galloway did not mince words in his assessment of what he called a "kleptocracy," warning that it resembled the way business leaders aligned with
Adolf Hitler in the early 1930s. "There not only needs to be a separation of church and state," he said, "but there needs to be a separation of state and business."
He accused major corporations of bending to Trump's influence to secure financial and political advantages, rather than standing up against what he sees as a dangerous shift in power dynamics.
The Need for Business Leaders to Reject Corruption
Galloway concluded with a strong call for corporate leaders to stop giving in to Trump's influence. He accused X CEO Linda Yaccarino of threatening "government retribution" to force media companies to advertise on the platform, describing it as part of a broader pattern of corruption.
He warned that business leaders have effectively bribed Trump to ensure they benefit from his policies. "The incentives are to bribe this guy, kiss his a–, engage in this type of one-sided support, and he will give me money," Galloway argued, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
