In this episode of 60 Minutes, Donald Trump, President Elect is interviewed one on one and asked multiple probing questions. Right at the outset, Trump is asked about the fact that during his campaign he has condemned career politicians because they were 'owned' by lobbyists and big donors, yet he is now appointing and working with those lobbyists himself. This is exactly the sort of action that Stigler points out as well: politics are largely influenced by firms that own politicians and are seeking regulation in their self interests. The irony is that, although Trump has constantly trashed politicians that are influenced by lobbyists, he is now relying on these same lobbyists himself to help run the government until he can "get rid of them." According to Trump, they are the ones that know the government inside and out and he is forced to work with them as they are more adept at political maneuvering than he is.
Interestingly, Trump's claims that he will not be beholden to lobbyists and large firms seems to be folding in on itself the way Stigler would predict. He may not need their dollars, but he does need their votes, and because of this he will be beholden to them just the same. Stigler claims that government has become captured by industry to do their bidding, and Trump agreed with this throughout his campaign. It will remain to be seen whether or not he will be able to follow through on his promises to be different or if he will become captured by industry as well...
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