The 3 People Shaping America’s Future: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and Elon Musk

The Optimistic American

In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson and panelists Elliot Pollack, Robert Robb, and Henry Thompson engage in a compelling discussion on America’s future. They explore key political, economic, and cultural issues — from the legacy of Donald Trump and his ties to Roy Cohn, to Elon Musk's SpaceX innovations, and the vital role that regulations play in shaping U.S. competitiveness.

Topics Discussed in the Video:

- The Apprentice Movie: The panel kicks off with a discussion about The Apprentice, a movie focusing on young Donald Trump and his influential relationship with Roy Cohn. This film explores Trump’s early ambitions, and how business and politics intertwined during his formative years.

- Subsidies for Developers and Businesses: The group debates the effectiveness of government subsidies for economic development. With references to New York’s real estate struggles, they examine how cities like Phoenix approached similar challenges through incentives, and whether this strategy truly benefits communities.

- The Trump Phenomenon: The conversation evolves to analyze Trump’s unique rise in both politics and business, tying his personal narrative with larger economic trends. From his dealings with Roy Cohn to his impact on national political discourse, the discussion explores the enduring “Trump Effect.”

- Kamala Harris’s Peak and Trump’s Stock Surge: The panel examines the dynamics between Trump’s growing influence and Kamala Harris’s trajectory in the election race. They delve into Trump’s social media stock, exploring whether it reflects more than just financial fundamentals – and whether Harris’s perceived peak has contributed to Trump’s rise.

- Political Violence: In a thought-provoking segment, the team addresses rising political violence, discussing assassination attempts, attacks on candidates, and the dangerous polarization in U.S. politics today. Is political violence becoming a serious concern, or are these incidents isolated?

- Natural Disasters and Economic Impact: The panel pivots to natural disasters, focusing on the dual hurricanes that hit Florida. They explore how insurance companies are reacting, the economic implications of recurring disasters, and whether federal intervention will eventually become the solution.

- Elon Musk, SpaceX, and U.S. Regulation: The episode concludes with a deep dive into how reduced regulations fuel innovation. Using Musk’s recent SpaceX launch in Texas as a case study, the panel debates whether cutting regulations is the key to maintaining America’s competitive edge—and if it could even help reduce the federal deficit.