Will Donald Trump’s Corruption Matter in November?
Summary
The New Yorker hosts discuss the unprecedented scale of Trump-era corruption and its impact on the upcoming midterms. They analyze how Democrats are framing graft as a pocketbook issue to appeal to voters, contrasting this with past political scandals. Guest Rebecca Slaughter, a former FTC commissioner, argues that criminal penalties are insufficient due to presidential immunity. Instead, she proposes using civil recovery and contract rescission to make corruption economically unprofitable, thereby creating a deterrent effect for future officials and corporations.
Topics discussed
Trump family corruption and the 'paper trail' scandal
Democrats' strategy to link corruption to voter issues
Unprecedented scale of presidential self-enrichment
Money trails in policy and the shift from Term 1
Supreme Court rulings and the pardon industry
Midterm politics and voter apathy toward scandals
Tieing corruption to affordability and populism
Campaign ads in Georgia and the avoidance of Trump
Tallarico's campaign in Texas and attacking Paxton
Commercial break and transition to expert guest
Rebecca Slaughter's background and firing from FTC
Legal limits on criminal liability for corruption
Making corruption economically inefficient via disgorgement
Unwinding illegal mergers and no-bid contracts
Congressional tools for oversight and private litigation
Short-term deterrents and the role of the press
Connecting accountability, press freedom, and affordability
Post-election strategies: hearings vs. impeachment
Historical parallels to Watergate and new candidates
Show credits and New Yorker Festival promotion
Listen ad-free on Castria