Scott Galloway: “Crony Capitalism Is Collapsing America — The Rich Rigged the System & Won.”

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

Impact Theory

Education, News, News Commentary, Philosophy, Technology, Society & Culture, Business, Self-improvement

4.7 • 5.1K Ratings

🗓️ 9 December 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu! In this thought-provoking episode, Tom Bilyeu sits down with Scott Galloway for a no-holds-barred conversation on the state of America’s economy, generational divides, and the future of capitalism. Together, they dive into the hard questions: Why are Boomers thriving while younger generations struggle to get ahead? What’s fueling the rise of cronyism and political polarization—and why does class mobility feel increasingly impossible? Scott Galloway shares sharp insights on topics like entitlements, tax policy, and structural barriers facing young Americans—from housing affordability and stagnating wages to the corrosive effects of monopolies and regulatory capture. The pair debate solutions ranging from progressive taxation and the need for genuine competition to massive investments in housing, education, and healthcare. But the discussion isn’t just about economics. Tom Bilyeu and Scott Galloway also unpack the psychological side of money, the shifting expectations around masculinity, relationships, and what it means for young men navigating today’s world. Throughout, they challenge each other—and listeners—to think critically about what kind of future we’re building. If you’re curious about how we got here and what can be done to move the needle, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get into it! Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impact Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC Connectteam: 14 day free trial at https://connecteam.cc/46GxoTF ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact Cape: 33% off with code IMPACT33 at https://cape.co/impact True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Bevel Health: 1st month FREE at https://bevel.health/impact with code IMPACT What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu’s Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The only thing that's bipartisan is reckless spending. The Trump administration is a lot more socialist than what Mammondani is proposing. Golden share in U.S. Steel because Donald Trump's so good at bankrupting casinos he should run a steel company. Budgets and taxes are a reflection of our values. And our values right now state the following, that we think sweat is less noble than money. You know, I don't want to demonize billionaires. I want Elon must to make a trillion dollars.
0:22.6	I want him to be taxed 60 or 70% on it,
0:24.6	because the bottom line is it's not going to make them any happier.
0:26.6	I think effectively America is for sale for rich people.
0:30.6	I feel like this is literally a clown car
0:33.6	running the nation right now.
0:35.6	It's a corrupt crime family. I think America is already locked in a
0:40.7	Cold Civil War largely driven by economics. What happened exactly to our economy that's made
0:46.7	boomers so prosperous while leaving the young to struggle mightily? It's a multi-dimensional thing,
0:53.3	but if you were to try and distill it down
0:56.9	to one thing, it would be that old people vote and keep voting themselves more money. I mean,
1:05.1	Social Security, there's a dogma or that if you would ever talk about Social Security in a negative light, that there's
1:12.7	something wrong with you.
1:13.7	Arguably the most successful social program in history took seniors from 30% poverty to less
1:19.2	than aid. It's been hugely successful.
1:22.1	The other side of that coin is the wealthiest generation in the history of the planet receives $1.2 trillion
1:29.3	each year transferred from working age people to them every year.
1:33.3	40% of our budget is allocated towards seniors.
1:37.3	And we spend 4.5% on the Department of Education, 1.4% on SNAP, 40% of which goes to kids. In some,
1:46.4	kids don't vote. And whereas previous generations saw advantage in investing in education
1:51.6	and technologies and infrastructure that had a longer-term payoff for young people, those investments
1:58.3	are no longer being made, but the things we continue to invest in are things
	...

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