The U.S. Gets a Taste of Corruption

Peter Zeihan 4 min

The U.S. is adopting a strategy similar to Russia's 1990s approach of conflicting guidance requiring bribes. We should expect significantly more things like this.

  • Donald Trump
  • Barack Obama

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    The $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Settlement

    The Trump administration settled a lawsuit it brought against itself to create a $1.8 billion fund for political allies. The settlement mirrors corrupt practices seen in Venezuela, Nigeria, and Russia rather than standard legal processes.

  2. 1:44

    Erosion of Rule of Law

    The executive branch views the rule of law as an obstacle, leading to unpredictable regulatory environments. Frequent policy changes force businesses to rely on relationships with regulators instead of compliance. Agencies are understaffed, preventing enforcement of existing regulations and creating legal uncertainty. Conflicting guidance is intentionally provided to force companies into legal jeopardy unless they pay bribes. The U.S. is adopting a strategy similar to Russia's 1990s approach of conflicting guidance requiring bribes. More instances of this behavior are expected as the administration continues its current trajectory.

Key points

  • 0:00

    The Trump administration settled a lawsuit it brought against itself to create a $1.8 billion fund for political allies.

  • 0:00

    This operation resembles corrupt practices seen in Venezuela, Nigeria, and Russia rather than standard legal processes.

  • 1:44

    The executive branch views the rule of law as an obstacle, leading to unpredictable regulatory environments.

  • 1:44

    Frequent policy changes force businesses to rely on relationships with regulators instead of compliance.

  • 1:44

    Conflicting guidance is intentionally provided to force companies into legal jeopardy unless they pay bribes.

  • 1:44

    The U.S. is adopting a strategy similar to Russia's 1990s approach of conflicting guidance requiring bribes.

  • 1:44

    More instances of this behavior are expected as the administration continues its current trajectory.

Who and where

People · 2

  • Drawing of Donald Trump

    Donald Trump 4

    President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)

    Photo 1

  • Drawing of Barack Obama

    Barack Obama 1

    44th President of the United States (2009–2017)

    Photo 2

1. Photo: Daniel Torok, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Donald Trump)

2. Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Wikidata · redrawn in our house style (Barack Obama)

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