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Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” guest doesn’t hold back on the threat of Trump’s ‘Broligarchy’
Jon Stewart discusses America’s emerging ‘broligarchy’ and the corrupting force of money in politics with Dr. Brooke Harrington.

Unlike during Trump’s first presidency, the public can now count on political satirist Jon Stewart’s sharp commentary on Monday nights on Comedy Central—for at least the foreseeable future.
Stewart kicked off his return on Inauguration Day with an interview featuring Brooke Harrington, an economic sociologist and author of Offshore: Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism. The interview began by exploring what Harrington termed the 'broligarchy' surrounding Donald Trump—a group that includes figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. These billionaires, who lead some of the world’s largest corporations, have warmed to Trump since his emergence in politics, recognizing that staying in his favor often translates to increased profits.
The emergence of a ‘broligarchy’
The conversation explored the increasing closeness of U.S. billionaires to the political system, comparing it to how economic elites wield power in Russia. Harrington described today’s “broligarchs” (a term derived from “oligarch”) as a stark contrast to past industrial titans like the Fords and Rockefellers, who were more discreet in their political engagements. These earlier elites primarily sought tax advantages while maintaining a low public profile, relying heavily on philanthropy to cultivate an image of responsibility and stewardship.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin exerts strict control over the oligarchs who dominate the economy, ensuring their loyalty as a means of consolidating his power. By contrast, President Trump has welcomed billionaire support in exchange for financial contributions, effectively granting them influence over his administration’s agenda.
For instance, Elon Musk’s significant investments in the Trump campaign over the past few months reportedly earned him control of a semi-governmental agency, the Department of Government Efficiency. Similarly, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has used his ownership of The Washington Post to flex his power. Earlier this month, Bezos allegedly censored the publication of a political cartoon depicting himself, Musk, and other billionaires offering bags of money to a towering figure meant to represent Trump.
Additionally, just before the general election, Bezos barred the paper’s editorial board from endorsing a candidate—a move widely interpreted as tacit support for Trump’s campaign.
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