”Power Dynamics Unveiled”

Unmasking the True Challengers of Corporate Power

Dr. ADAM TABRIZ
3 min readMar 25, 2024

Analyzing Trump and Kennedy’s Crusade Against Crony Capitalism

Analyzing Trump and Kennedy’s Crusade Against Crony Capitalism
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In the context of media coverage and political influence, the question of who poses a more significant threat to entrenched corporate interests between Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy Jr. is complex and multifaceted. It involves an analysis of media behavior, public perception, and the intricate relationship between politics and corporate power.

Legacy media coverage patterns often reflect a combination of news values, audience interest, and economic imperatives. High-profile figures like Donald Trump tend to receive more coverage due to their established presence in the public consciousness and the media’s anticipation of audience engagement. In contrast, figures like Robert Kennedy Jr., despite his notable lineage and advocacy, may not command the same level of attention unless they are involved in particularly newsworthy events or controversies.

“Crony corporatism” implies a system where business interests are closely intertwined with government policies, often leading to regulations that favor established corporations at the expense of competition and public interest. Both Trump and Kennedy have positioned themselves as outsiders to this system at various points, though their approaches and proposed solutions differ significantly.

Trump’s presidency showcased a mix of deregulation and protectionist policies, varying impacts on different sectors, including pharmaceuticals. His administration’s stance on Big Pharma was somewhat ambiguous, as it aimed to lower drug prices and enacted tax cuts and policies that benefited large corporations.

On the other hand, Robert Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of Big Pharma, particularly in the context of vaccine safety and environmental health issues. His advocacy work suggests a willingness to challenge corporate interests directly, especially in areas where he perceives public health to be at risk. However, his controversial views have led to criticism and skepticism about his position.

The answer to reigning in Big Pharma needs to be clarified. The pharmaceutical industry wields significant political influence through lobbying, campaign contributions, and the revolving door between industry and regulatory agencies. Any meaningful reform would require political will and structural changes to reduce the industry’s influence over policymaking.

Ultimately, the media’s role in shaping public discourse around these figures and issues cannot be understated. Coverage—or lack thereof—can influence public perception and, by extension, the political capital that individuals like Trump or Kennedy can wield against corporate interests. The interplay between media narratives, public opinion, and political action is critical in understanding who might effectively challenge the status quo of corporate culture and crony capitalism.

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Source:

(1) The complicity of RFK Jr. coverage — Columbia Journalism Review. https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/rfk_jr_media_coverage.php

(2) RFK Jr is Trump 2.0 — don’t be scared to say it | Opinion. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/rfk-kennedy-jr-trump-media-b2381614.html

(3) The Rise Of Crony Capitalism — Hoover Institution. https://www.hoover.org/research/rise-crony-capitalism

(4) Crony Capitalism, American Style: What Are We Talking About Here?. https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/15-025_c6fbbbf7-1519-4c94-8c02-4f971cf8a054.pdf

(5) How big pharma’s money — and its politicians — feed the US opioid …. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/19/big-pharma-money-lobbying-us-opioid-crisis

(6) Capturing the Government: Big Pharma’s Take Over of Policymaking. https://rooseveltinstitute.org/2019/05/22/capturing-the-government-big-pharmas-take-over-of-policymaking/

(7) Crony capitalism | Philippine Media Wiki | Fandom. https://philippine-media.fandom.com/wiki/Crony_capitalism

(8) Crony capitalism — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crony_capitalism

(9) Crony Capitalism — ClearIAS. https://www.clearias.com/crony-capitalism/

(10) RFK Jr. says media criticizes him more than Trump | The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/4114824-rfk-jr-says-media-criticizes-him-more-than-trump/

(11) Mainstream news outlets want to end Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s primary …. https://nypost.com/2023/06/17/mainstream-news-outlets-want-to-end-rfk-jr-s-primary-challenge/

(12) The Political Influence of Big Pharma | by Mildred Swift | Medium. https://medium.com/@bridgetgesell1um/the-political-influence-of-big-pharma-e2317204af2a

(13) The Political Influence of Big Pharma | by Logan Read — Medium. https://medium.com/@arnikssemok/the-political-influence-of-big-pharma-e840e95f4447

(14) Drug firms giving MPs ‘hidden’ funding, research shows — The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/25/drug-firms-giving-mps-hidden-funding-research-shows

(15) undefined. http://www.ethics.harvard.edu/lab

(16) undefined. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

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Dr. ADAM TABRIZ
Dr. ADAM TABRIZ

Written by Dr. ADAM TABRIZ

In this vast tapestry of existence, I weave my thoughts and observations about all facets of life, offering a perspective that is uniquely my own.

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