As a longtime Democrat, a Richmond local, and someone who’s worked in media for over two decades, watching the election results come in hit hard—and not only because of who won. There’s something deeper going on here. Part of me held onto the hope that we hadn’t reached a point where billionaires, including the world’s wealthiest man, could buy an election by simply throwing money around. I wanted to believe that votes—not dollars—would determine the outcome. But with Trump’s re-election, it’s clear: money is steering the wheel, and it’s taking us into uncomfortable territory.
Money in politics isn’t anything new in America; we’ve always had wealthy figures with influence. But now, it feels like these billionaires don’t just influence things—they’re dominating them. This goes beyond campaign donations. It’s about having so much concentrated wealth and control that they’re basically running the platforms we rely on to stay informed, talk to each other, and get involved.
Today, “We the People” feels like it’s slipping away, replaced by something closer to “We the Billionaires.” So where does that leave the rest of us?
Elon Musk: A New Kind of Power Player
In this age of billionaire influence, Elon Musk stands out. His power goes way beyond tech. By buying X (formerly Twitter), Musk now controls one of the most powerful platforms on the planet, where millions follow his every tweet. He’s bypassing traditional media, and with the platform’s algorithms boosting his posts, he can shift conversations however he wants.
But his influence stretches further. Through SpaceX, Musk is handling space missions that used to be NASA’s domain, and the government is increasingly reliant on his technology. His Starlink satellite network, too, gives him global control over internet access, even in remote areas, with little to no government oversight. This kind of power raises a basic but crucial question: how is it okay for one person to control so much with so few checks on him?
Musk’s political involvement has raised eyebrows too. Through his super PAC, America PAC, he was running a controversial cash giveaway to registered voters in swing states, raising legal and ethical concerns. His moves make it clear: he’s willing to use his resources to sway outcomes, and he’s blurring the line between wealth and democracy.
Jeff Bezos: Owning the News We Read
Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, is using his Amazon fortune to shape media by owning The Washington Post. With a respected publication under his belt, Bezos can influence how major issues and political stories are told. Just recently, controversy erupted over his reported interference to block the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris, sparking internal disputes. This incident raises a simple but critical question: when billionaires own major media outlets, can we trust that news is being reported objectively?
Bezos isn’t alone. Media owners like Patrick Soon-Shiong, who owns the Los Angeles Times, have similarly shifted editorial choices. It’s a troubling trend—when billionaires control what gets published, they can control public perception, too.
Mark Zuckerberg: Shaping the Information We See
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and others—control a huge chunk of how we consume information. With algorithms that prioritize whatever keeps us engaged, Zuckerberg holds a near-monopoly on public discourse, affecting elections and conversations all over the world. This level of control over what billions of people see and hear brings up a fundamental issue: can a real democracy exist when one person has that much say over what people believe?
Peter Thiel: The Power of Data Behind the Scenes
Unlike Musk or Bezos, Peter Thiel’s influence isn’t as public, but it’s just as powerful. Through his company Palantir, which is embedded in government contracts, Thiel’s data-driven approach gives him influence in some of the most critical decision-making processes in the country. His donations to conservative causes and candidates add another layer, securing his voice in places where wealth has quietly bought a seat at the table.
Charles Koch: Decades of Influence, One Policy at a Time
Charles Koch has been shaping conservative politics for years, pouring billions into think tanks, policy groups, and media to influence legislation. By investing in infrastructure that affects whole generations, Koch has given the rest of these guys the playbook on how one billionaire’s wealth can alter the political landscape.
The Citizens United Fallout: Money Talks
Much of this concentration of power stems from the 2010 Citizens United decision, which allowed unlimited donations to political campaigns. Since then, billionaires have been able to spend freely on both sides to get their voices heard louder than anyone else’s, making politics feel more like a bidding war than a democratic process.
America’s New Reality: An Oligarchy?
Let’s be honest: Trump’s re-election shows billionaire influence in politics is reaching an all-time high. With people like Musk, Bezos, and Thiel so deeply woven into the workings of government, it’s hard to say who’s left to keep them in check. Politicians are lining up for their money, and they’re not likely to rock the boat—maybe Bernie Sanders would, but he’s a lone voice and not exactly young anymore. Reforming billionaire power would mean asking these same folks to limit their own influence—not exactly realistic.
So what’s left for everyday people to do? Truthfully, not much, unless we can somehow find billionaires willing to fund the causes we believe in—but doesn’t that just feed into the same problem? And even then, it’s unlikely. Many Democrats push for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy and want to close the inequality gap, and really, what billionaire would fund that? If there’s any out there genuinely interested in fighting for change, they’re staying quiet about it.
This level of influence has crossed a line, and it’s never rolling back —especially when 70 million+ people just voted in favor of this system.
