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The Lincoln Project

The Wolves of Fraud Street: Crypto’s Enron Era With Ben McKenzie

The Lincoln Project

The Lincoln Project

News, Government, Politics, News Commentary

4.69.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Actor-turned-crypto-whistleblower Ben McKenzie joins Rick Wilson for a brutal, no-bullshit takedown of the crypto industry just as Congress barrels toward two major crypto bills hitting the floor this week on Capitol Hill. From meme coins and “decentralized finance” scams to billion-dollar rugpulls, political bribery, and money laundering dressed up in Patagonia vests and TED Talk jargon, Rick and Ben break down how crypto became the preferred playground for grifters, oligarchs, libertarian weirdos, and every guy who says “bro” before pitching financial collapse. They unpack why Washington suddenly wants to legitimize the casino after years of fraud, who’s cashing in, and why the American taxpayer always seems to end up holding the empty bag while crypto bros flee to Dubai. It’s the great Ponzi scheme of our time — powered by hype, corruption, influencer cults, and vibes-based economics — and the wheels may finally be coming off in public.





Ben McKenzie is on X @@ben_mckenzie. His movie, ‘Everyone is Lying to You for Money,’ is playing now in select theaters. His best-selling book, ‘Easy Money,’ is out now, wherever fine books are sold. 

Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Visit www.quince.com/lincoln for free shipping + 365-day returns. #ad 

Build credit fast and get your first month for just a dollar at getkikoff.com/lincolnproject today. Thanks to Kikoff for sponsoring us! #ad

Transcript

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0:00.0

They've issued their own coin and they received a $500 million investment from a chic in the UAE.

0:07.5

And then- As one does.

0:08.8

As one goes, right?

0:09.9

I'm sure he's just, he's just, I mean, the Trump boy-

0:12.5

Totally disinterested in anything except the crypto market.

0:15.5

Well, yeah, I mean, look, the Trump boys are running in and obviously their geniuses,

0:18.9

incredible businessman who have succeeded wildly on their own with no help with anyone else really.

0:26.2

And so he's just a prudent investment.

0:28.7

Your task will not be an easy one.

0:31.1

Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battlehardt.

0:34.8

There is not a liberal America and a conservative America.

0:38.4

There is the United States of America.

0:43.3

Good night.

0:44.2

And good luck.

0:45.5

Hey folks.

0:46.3

Welcome back to the Lincoln Project podcast.

0:47.9

As always, I'm your host, Rick Wilson.

0:49.5

And I am delighted you're with us today.

0:51.2

By the way, before we get started, can you please do us the big favor of liking, subscribing, doing all the algorithmic things that please

0:57.4

the algorithmic gods. I'm delighted to be joined today by Ben McKenzie. Ben McKenzie is a guy who

1:03.7

combines being a talented Hollywood actor with a deep understanding of economics, particularly the economics that are reshaping our finances and our culture today and the crypto scam.

1:19.0

And yes, I'm probably going to get a lot of static for calling it the crypto scam, but it's sort of self-evidently not a currency.

...

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