Trump’s deal with corporate elites is corrupt and undermines democracy. We all pay financially and with our freedom. Gerard Baker of The Wall Street Journal has written two columns that make a powerful statement about the damage America’s corporate elites and their style of capitalism have done.

Eighty-eight large corporations with over $105 billion in profits paid no federal income tax in 2025. Many large, profitable companies’ employees rely on government-subsidized health insurance and food assistance to survive. This adds hundreds of billions to the annual federal budget deficit.

Artificial intelligence (AI) needs strong regulation because its effects are far-reaching and powerful. U.S. Representative Khanna states that a robust federal agency is needed to regulate AI and has put forth seven principles for a new social compact to address the issues of AI and inequality.

Big Tech needs strong regulation due to its potential for great benefit and great harm, especially artificial intelligence (AI). An innovative regulation of AI would be to have the government seize 50% of AI companies’ stock, putting the shares in a sovereign wealth fund to benefit all Americans.

Huge news and media companies are dangerous and harmful. They control the information and disinformation we receive. They are not providing voters with the information they need to maintain a well-functioning democracy. Here are steps to rein in and compensate for their dangers and harm.

Consolidation in the news and media industry over the last 40 years includes TV, radio, print, and social media. The profit motive drives the promotion of divisive and culture war messages, while minimizing local reporting. This undermines civic engagement, perverts politics, and harms democracy.

Huge mega-companies are harmful because they have monopolistic powers. Consolidation in the media and news industry under billionaire owners is concerning because they control the information we receive. Biased “news” means voters don’t get the information they need for a well-functioning democracy.

Trump is the culmination of decades of work by wealthy individuals and CEOs (America’s oligarchs) undermining democracy & skewing government policy. This has led to high income & wealth inequality. Many Americans have lost their economic security, as well as their faith in government & democracy.