If Donald Trump truly wants to cement his legacy as a defender of American greatness, he need look no further than the example set by Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt, a man of grit and resolve, took on the monopolies of his time—the railroads, Standard Oil, and other industrial giants—to protect everyday Americans and preserve fair competition. Today, we face a new breed of monopolistic powerhouses like Google, Amazon, Meta, and Disney, which not only dominate their markets but also exert immense cultural and political influence, often at odds with American values. A modern trust-busting crusade could be the signature policy Trump needs to win the hearts of both free-market conservatives and everyday patriots.
Big Tech, for example, wields a monopoly over information and communication. Google controls the lion’s share of online search and advertising, while Meta’s Facebook and Instagram shape how billions consume and interact with news. This concentration of power allows these corporations to act as gatekeepers of information, often filtering content with political biases that suppress dissenting views. Roosevelt fought against the unchecked power of monopolies because he understood that concentrated power, left unchallenged, would erode democracy. Trump could echo this spirit by leading the charge to break up Big Tech and restore competition to the digital marketplace.
And then there’s Disney, a corporate behemoth that has moved far from its original mission of creating family-friendly entertainment. With its near-total control over entertainment franchises and aggressive influence in shaping cultural narratives, Disney has become a cultural monopoly. Its recent focus on pushing controversial social and political agendas instead of preserving timeless American values underscores the need for reform. Just as Roosevelt fought against monopolies that prioritized profit over public good, Trump could address corporations that undermine the values cherished by millions of Americans.
Mass media, too, has become a monolithic force of influence. With a handful of companies controlling most news outlets, the public is often subjected to one-sided narratives that align with corporate or political agendas. Roosevelt’s trust-busting was aimed at industries that exploited consumers for profit; modern media monopolies exploit trust and credibility, shaping public opinion to suit their interests. Trump, having already battled the media during his presidency, is uniquely positioned to take on this fight and restore integrity to the fourth estate.
By channeling Roosevelt’s determination and strategic vision, Trump could position himself as the champion of a freer, fairer America. Breaking up monopolies that stifle competition, distort culture, and silence dissent would not only reinvigorate the economy but also restore the foundational values of liberty and fairness. Just as Roosevelt stood firm against the robber barons of his day, Trump has an opportunity to stand against the corporate giants of ours—leaving a legacy of freedom, fairness, and unshakable American resolve.
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Unfortunately, much of your article is a rehash of many false notions that have been passed down to us in public schools.
Theodore Roosevelt was anything but a trust-busting champion. He believed there were bad trusts… and good trusts. The latter were those who donated money to his campaign and supported him. The “bad” ones did not, and he went after them for not “bellying up to the bar.”
Moreover, while Roosevelt busted just over 40 trusts, his successor, William Howard Taft busted over 60. And when Taft went after US Steel, a big supporter of Roosevelt and Progressive ideology (i.e. one of the “good” trusts), Roosevelt was informed of this while on safari in Africa. He quickly booked passage back to the States and tried to secure the Republican nomination away from Taft. Failing that, he formed a third party… the Progressive Party… which siphoned enough votes from Taft so that a fellow Progressive in the form of Woodrow Wilson won the presidency.
With that said, you are asking Trump to channel his inner Progressive Party psyche, and move way outside of the Constitution and bring us another wave of Progressive politics. You are asking him to take the same approach as Joe Biden or Barrack Obama… using the power of the regulatory state to “reshape” the economy. We may see temporary reprieve in a few areas, and pay the piper later in spades.
Remember… the power that can bust a trust can also create them. Indeed, many of our problems today lie right at the feet of Roosevelt. It is the regulatory state that has helped create the monopolies we have (like in the media), and this regulatory/administrative state has been built over the last 100 plus years, largely starting with Roosevelt. In fact, these monopolies have recently been trying to use the power of the regulatory state to shut down their up-and-coming competition.
No… we don’t need Trump to channel his inner Roosevelt. We need him to stick with the Constitution and be a strict constructionist. In that regard, he needs to start dismantling as much as possible the regulatory state, so that people can freely create and compete in the marketplace. You of course, have a right to your opinion, as do I. But my opinion is grounded in historical fact.