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Episode 39: Corruption: A Presidency for Sale
Episode 39
In this episode, Bella Goode traces how Donald Trump didn’t just dip into corruption—he turned the presidency into a personal business empire. By comparing his actions to past scandals like Watergate and Teapot Dome, we see just how far Trump has pushed the boundaries of ethics, law, and public trust. From meme coins and luxury jets to regulatory rollbacks and foreign gifts, this episode breaks down the machinery of self-enrichment that defines Trump’s presidency. This isn’t just corruption. It’s a system. And it’s changing the American presidency forever.
Key Takeaways To Listen For
- How Trump monetized political access through crypto dinners, executive club memberships, and branded merchandise
- The launch of meme coins and stablecoins backed by foreign investment and the regulatory rollbacks that enabled them
- Why Trump’s $16M settlement from Paramount over a “baseless” lawsuit is being called a bribe tied to an $8B merger
- The ethical collapse of oversight: Small-dollar PAC donations used to fund Trump’s legal fees, while pardons went to political allies and investors
- A historical comparison of presidential corruption and how Trump’s conduct marks a sharp and dangerous break from past norms
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Reuters
- Politico
- ProPublica
- Bloomberg
- The Washington Post
- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Inc.
- World Liberty Financial
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | USAGov
- Federal Communications Commission
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Bella Goode is a pseudonym — but the voice, research, and mission are all real. A Republican turned Democrat advocate in 2016, I was raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. I’m a former marketing executive, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner with an MBA from Wharton and a Master’s in Psychology from Penn. I spent decades telling stories in the business world; now I use those skills to connect the dots in American politics.
I’m here because the truth matters — and because the stakes have never been higher. Surviving Trump isn’t lighthearted. It’s clarity, evidence, and a fight for the future of our democracy.
Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
Published on 3 months, 4 weeks ago