The article “WHO REALLY RULES THE WORLD: AMERICAN OLIGARCHY AND EMPIRE IN PLAIN SIGHT” by Vic Gerami explores how wealth, power, and policy interweave under the Trump administration, forming an oligarchic structure.
Key Figures:
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Larry Ellison: As co-founder of Oracle, he led efforts to control TikTok’s U.S. operations amid national security concerns, which critics argue were influenced by pro-Israel sentiments.
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Elon Musk: His companies benefited from relaxed regulations and government contracts during Trump’s presidency, revealing a strategic alignment between corporate interests and state power.
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Donald Trump Jr.: Involved with Vulcan Elements, a rare-earth manufacturer that received a significant Pentagon loan shortly after his firm’s investment, raising questions about ethical lines between politics and profit.
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Jared Kushner: His firm received a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund soon after his public service in Middle East policy, showcasing the blending of public influence and private gain.
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Paul Singer: The Elliott Management founder profited from U.S. actions against Venezuela, acquiring Citgo through a forced sale, thereby exemplifying financial warfare against sovereign nations.
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Ronald Lauder: His ventures into Greenland and Ukraine for rare earth minerals highlight the intersection of geopolitical strategy and corporate resource access.
Themes:
The article suggests that U.S. foreign policies connect with private financial interests, where public office translates into capital, sanctions offer conduits for profit, and minerals are new geopolitical leverage. The overarching argument is that this isn’t mere corruption but a systematic oligarchic architecture reinforcing elite power, pointing to “empire managed by elites” rather than legitimate democracy.
