Ezra Klein recently wrote an essay exploring–and explaining–the new American currency: our attention.
Yes, money continues to be important. But as Klein points out, what is different about the early days of Trump’s second term is that “attention, not cash, is the form of power that most interests him.”
Plenty of his billionaire backers didn’t make the cut at his inauguration. The catbird seats were occupied instead by the titans of attention. It was the leaders of Facebook and Instagram and X and TikTok and Amazon and Google that Trump was so eager to see arrayed before him.
It isn’t as if the corruption enabled by money–the lobbyists, the political donors, etc.–no longer matters. Of course it does. But–as Klein also notes–Americans have become somewhat inured to that corruption. And we have rules that are intended to constrain it (albeit with debatable efficacy).
The same cannot be said for attention. If Trump saves TikTok and, in return, TikTok boosts pro-Trump content before the 2026 elections to help it go viral, would that be illegal? Perhaps. But would we even know it had happened? If Elon Musk turns the dials on X to tilt the conversation in the Republican Party’s direction before the 2028 elections, who will stop him?Attention, not money, is now the fuel of American politics.
It seemed clear in 2022 that Musk had overpaid when he bought Twitter for $44 billion. And if it’s judged as a business transaction, he probably did overpay. X’s revenue is far from justifying its purchase price. But we did not know then, and we do not know now, how to value the attention he bought. In terms of attention, Musk’s purchase of Twitter turned him into the most powerful person in the world, save perhaps Trump. What is that worth?
Talk about corruption; Klein notes that Musk isn’t just seeking to keep profiting immensely from his contracts with the government. He wants widespread influence and attention. And attention is what he is offering Trump..
To Trump, of course, attention is everything. As his six bankruptcies proved, he knows little or nothing about the actual real estate development business. He was able to monetize the attention he garnered from the Apprentice–his false persona as a savvy businessman– to sell his “brand” to the credulous. He learned nothing about government during his first term, but he did learn how to stay in the public eye and how to use the attention he generated to punish those on his growing enemies list.
His monumental ignorance of government has now collided with his insatiable need to capture the public eye. As Dana Milbank recently wrote in the Washington Post in the wake of his effort to freeze trillions in federal spending, “The Trump White House has no idea what the Trump White House just did.”
In just eight days on the job, Trump has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government, and he and his aides apparently couldn’t be bothered to give any thought to the damage and chaos that would ensue. It’s not just the spending freeze. It’s the willy-nilly, and probably illegal, firing of federal employees, the federal hiring freeze, the moratorium on foreign aid, the threats and bullying unleashed on allies, and the moves to muzzle government agencies to eliminate accountability.
The focus on attention, and Trump’s ability to command it, is particularly concerning given the information ecosystem we inhabit. As I have repeatedly noted, the Internet is a wild west of misinformation, disinformation and propaganda. People wanting to affirm the righteousness of their political preferences and beliefs can confirm their biases with a simple google search (aka “research.”) When a madman controls the majority of public attention, the availability of that “research” strengthens his ability to create and sustain an alternate reality.
And let’s be honest: Trump is a madman. The past week has removed all doubt.
Even worse than the fact that American voters have once again empowered this senile and delusional man is the fact that– when attention is the coin of the realm– it is the owners of the platforms that provide that attention who stand to gain the most.
We face a new avenue for corruption. As Klein concluded:
As absurdly concentrated as wealth is in America, attention is even more so. As powerful as money is in politics, attention is even more so. We have largely failed to regulate the role of money in politics. For attention, the problem is worse — and we have not even begun to attempt solutions.
We are barely aware of the problem, let alone possible solutions.
Why is the wealthiest man on this entire globe so intent on destroying those with little or nothing? Fear is usually the driving factor behind wanting to destroy anyone or anything; what does he fear about the lowest economic faction from his lofty, on top of the world, position?
“We are barely aware of the problem, let alone possible solutions.”
We are barely aware of what is going on around us because it is so entirely unbelievable that it is happening here…not unlike 9/11 when the unbelievable happened and another nation actually attacked America here on our home ground. It is not unlike the Covid-19 Pandemic which sought to destroy everyone everywhere simply because it could.
Obviously we were not paying “Attention!”
Things should get interesting, because I think the last thing the Heritage Foundation zealots who really want to run the country want is attention.
The mental illnesses involved with the chief attention addicts is the real problem. When one narcissist has more money than can ever be spent on all the riches in the world, his mental illness can allow him to play king maker. In Trump, Musk has the easiest mark for his delusions of power.
Trump is clearly declining and descending into complete, foaming at the mouth insanity. As He ages; and aging increases at an increasing rate, he will display his unfettered behavior even more. Since he cannot get through a day without being in front of a camera or microphone, the chronicle will write itself.
And once again we come back to the point of how did this happen … or more correctly, how did rational, patriotic voters allow this monstrosity we are seeing?
The answer seems to be with the 38+% of registered voters who didn’t vote in 2024. Why couldn’t they see the peril we were headed for? EVERYBODY except Fox News and the drunken uncle Bannon was screaming bloody murder that a Trump win would plunge the nation into chaos. Guess what.
So, Tood, et. al., how do we get that 38% off their asses to do something dutiful for the country? The media failed. The political operatives failed. And common sense failed. What else is there?
I hate to say this, but we on the progressive end of the scale need to dumb down our rhetoric. Sadly, the bulk of the electorate doesn’t respond to polysyllabic policy pronouncements (sorry, couldn’t help myself).
KISS is an acronym for keep it simple, stupid. It’s something I was first told in speech class. Basically the point is that if we need to be able to say whatever we believe, say it in as few sentences as possible in the simplest terms possible. If you can’t fit it on a bumper sticker, rewrite it.
As I talk to people about the election they say that Harris didn’t have any policies. They felt like they knew Orange Jesus and they were okay with what they knew. It’s as if they were in an alternate universe.
Under the cloak of madness! Is it truly madness? Obviously someone coached him up on how to use chicanery to a huge advantage.
When one group has complete control of all three branches of government, there really isn’t much that can be done if those individuals put in place to actually stop lunacy, promote and distribute it.
Under this, we can call it the Cecil B DeMil effect, The show is so enthralling and breathtakingly insane, a structure can be put in place to make these in the cabal the most wealthy men in the world. And the leader of this wealth is Elon Musk. They’ve all removed fact checking, so that makes it easier to deceive. Everything he talked about, groceries, gasoline, immigration, struck a cord and some form or fashion with a majority of the population who went to the polls.
The agenda is pretty close to where it needs to be for complete and absolute control over every aspect of government. I don’t think DT is as insane as everyone thinks he is. Robert Kennedy was absolutely spot on talking about the brain eating worm. They’ve successfully implanted that worm in the brains of those needed for their vote. Now, all of those folks are complaining about the prices of food, and fuel! But now there’s nothing they can do about it. They’ve served their purpose. The shock and awe continues to have everyone’s mouth gaping, wow under the cover of this awe, The entrenching of power continues. Does anyone actually believe there’s going to be an election in 26?
The only way this changes, someone, some entity ever will have to go against laws and statutes to eliminate the problem. It happened with others, RFK, JFK, MLK, you can go on and on. That’s what happens when you tick off the wrong people. They wouldn’t have to be righteously inclined, just another wing of evil.
Jesus said: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches.” Though riches can be used to help make friends, riches in themselves are not to be viewed as though they were man’s only friend, for, explained Jesus: “No house servant can be a slave to two masters; for, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves to God and to riches.”—Luke 16:9, 13.
2nd Peter 2:1-3,
However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. 2 Furthermore, many will follow their brazen conduct, and because of them the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. 3 Also, they will greedily exploit you with counterfeit words. But their judgment, decided long ago, is not moving slowly, and their destruction is not sleeping.”
Peggy, Excellent analysis. How about: “DONALD TRUMP IS INSANE AND WILL DESTROY THE NATION.”
That should have been the bumper sticker in 2016 as well as 2024. Clearly, it’s a factual and true statement.
Instead of having our hearts break, let’s join forces and take action and bring together caring Americans and make the REAL America great again and have international respect again. We can do it.
The old saying is, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” That Madison Avenue cliche may have been relevant during the age of TV, but it is not anymore. The rules have changed, and a new paradigm has emerged.
Musk is getting toasted for saying that Jews are white, and any speech saying they’re not is ridiculous. Well, that has gone over like a lead balloon. LOL
As for international aid, I assume that refers to the CIA cutout, USAID. As I said the other day, more will be revealed on this beast. Lots of “attention” is focused on the international arena where foreign leaders are speaking up, and they don’t need a TV camera in their face or call a press conference. The general public is waking up to what USAID and NED are really about. The Democrats are defending all the aid that went to fund “humanitarian programs” but are silent about all the covert actions taken under this false front.
Wikileaks has become relevant again, and so will Julian Assange if he didn’t sign a gag order. Other independent journalists publish their material on Substack or their websites who will become relevant. For all you newspaper subscribers, many articles are embedding X posts in their articles. It’s almost become standard practice in the media. I’ve seen it on video clips of TV programming.
Everyone should understand another critical note: the Tech Bro Billionaires are all substantial federal contractors. Musk is one of the biggest, but so are Bezos and Thiel. They all started with government programs and/or venture capital funding from the CIA. Why have we turned over NASA to Musk?
If I didn’t know any better, Trumpolini is following the same plan that Putin created in Russia by privatizing the government and kicking them to the billionaire oligarchy. In return, he got to change Russia’s Constitution to stay in power longer. We’ll see what happens as the days progress. 😉
As to Vern’s question, the Democratic Party is not an opposition party, so it cannot respond to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. How prevalent are transvestite and immigrant rights? They have been caught flat-footed trying to drink from a fire hose. The new Chairman of the DNC had better come up with a plan quickly, or the GOP will sail through the 2026 elections.
John, the coaching he received was about “presentation,” and it was given by the folks at CBS(?) who put him on TV, in that idiot show. Chicanery, manipulation, has been his pathway through life as a massively narcissistic clown! No need to teach that.
Ezra Klein may be deserving of a Pulitzer Prize, for his dissection, delineation, and announcement about the situation!
Trump’s need for attention was pointed out, previously, by a former staff person who commented that he lived to be on TV. however, the context was unlike Klein’s.
If one accepts Klein’s portrayal, and I do, we are in a Catch 22 situation, wherein any effort to address it creates its own publicity/attention, and negative attention/publicity is better than none.
Perhaps, as Vernon points out, Trump’s mental disintegration will be our ally.
So just over 36% of eligible voters in the US didn’t even bother to vote. in 2024. That means that trump’s razor thin popular vote margin of 1.5% – not even half of those who did vote – was further off the claim of a mandate, even laughably so. My math might not hold up, but it would seem that he won around 33% of all eligible voters. Wow, now that’s a mandate! How about we add to the treasury coffers by fining those who do not vote?
Trump has to be the bride at every wedding…..
MTV inc are behaving and blundering according to their religion based on the graven image of $.
We gave them a great deal of control over those between the borders of the formerly united States and somewhat less over the rest of our species and planet, because 0.5% of Americans who are 4.22% of the world gave the ruling triumvirate an outsized share of the one global resource that is a truly rare and valuable natural resource, which is our time and attention on earth.
That is how leverage works.
Robin Wall Kimmerer has thoroughly discussed this. Not only has our attention been stolen, but also our connection to the land. I highly recommend all of her books and presentations.
Something has to be done about political contributions and ethics.
And…how about a federal law that does not allow campaigning for president to start the way Trump did – essentially 3 years ahead. For 3 years as the putative candidate then as the actual candidate via primaries and ultimately GOP convention, he could dominate the news, the message, and drill lies into the listeners. Then the lawsuits added even more air time.
I never heard the Dems read from Project 2025…they needed to do that because no one was gonna read it. They told folks what it said…and so when I hear that MAGA gave him a mandate – they were ignorant of his plans as they skirted the 2025 project. All MAGA heard were ‘lowered taxes” and send back immigrants. And lies that Biden increased groceries and rents. Biden’s accomplishments were undervalued and under reported by the media. When Musk has screwed enough federal employees then there will be ramifications. We have to pressure Todd Young – forget Jim Banks – and every Republican congressional rep from INdiana. Calls. emails. And don’t let up on Braun either.
In case you were not already aware, “fasten your seatbelts; it’ going to be a bumpy ride.” Destruction is his middle name and he is out for revenge. We, as a nation, will need to address the incredible work that will need to be done when he is finished. I only hope that we will be able to salvage something.
One of the very first things dictators do is control communications. Social media profits built on the number of clicks generated are tailor made for demagogues who say outrageous things. Trump and Musk BOTH qualify.
Musk and his teenaged techies commandeered the Treasury Dept. and have had their access to all our Social Security numbers, tax returns, and bank accounts. That means Musk and staff likely have TRUMP’s tax returns and bank account numbers. How much do you suppose that information is worth to Iraq, Iran, N. Korea, China, Putin, the Saudis, Netanyahu, oil companies, and any number of Trump’s other domestic and foreign enemies, allies, competitors, and wives? Some – perhaps all – would pay Musk and his DOGE staff huge sums for it. Is Musk above using that information to blackmail or bankrupt Trump? Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It’s a very scary time.