Monopolies & Mergers

ARTICLES

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/031715/are-there-any-legal-monopolies-america-or-europe.asp

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/032315/what-are-most-famous-monopolies.asp

TRUMP REVOKED ANTI MONOPOLY LEGISLATION!!!

2025-07-09 Trump revoked Biden’s Executive Order 14036 on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, a legislation meant to prevent monopolies and higher food prices.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/revocation-of-executive-order-on-competition

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/13/trump-revokes-biden-order-economy

https://www.hoganlovells.com/en/publications/president-trump-revokes-executive-order-on-competition-rejects-biden-administrations

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-revocation-biden-harris-executive-order-competition

Alcohol

2026-01-01 Three companies control roughly 75% of beer production. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://qz.com/2125164/us-beer-drinkers-are-overpaying-for-beer-by-500-million-a-year

https://vinepair.com/booze-news/4-companies-dominate-beer-market-us

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-beer-makers-own-more-150004785.html

Amazon

2026-01-01 Amazon controls 38% of e-commerce. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://www.tntechoracle.com/2026/04/14/monopolies-are-turning-us-to-an-oligarchy

Appliances

2026-01-01 Whirlpool controls all the major appliances. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://investors.whirlpoolcorp.com/news-and-events/news/news-details/2006/Whirlpool-Corporation-Completes-Acquisition-of-Maytag-Corporation/default.aspx

2026-05-07 Whirlpool reported a “recession-level industry decline” with a 12% drop in shares and said they would be raising their prices.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/07/whirlpool-recession-sales-iran-tariffs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwA_6aaneLM

https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/business/article_d4117490-f07f-5c0c-9552-a4c7441f6b3f.html

Apple

2024-03-21 The DOJ sued Apple for monopolizing the smartphone market.

https://www.cato.org/commentary/apple-monopoly

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-apple-monopolizing-smartphone-markets

De Beers (Diamonds)

2026-01-01 De Beers controls the entire diamond industry. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://www.aol.com/articles/10-industries-secretly-monopolies-145205692.html

Defense Contracts

https://www.openspending.us/contractor-monopoly

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/multibillion-dollar-defense-contracts-palantir-140000191.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pentagon-budget-price-gouging-military-contractors-60-minutes-2023-05-21/

2026-04-23 Eric Trump’s startup company Foundation Futures Industries - of which he is the Chief Strategy Adviser - landed a $24M contract with the Pentagon.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/eric-trump-backed-robot-startup-lands-24m-pentagon-deal-compete-china

https://people.com/eric-trump-backed-startup-lands-usd24-million-contract-from-his-father-administration-11957625

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/eric-trump-backed-firm-s-24m-pentagon-deal-sparks-criticism/gm-GM7102CBFD

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/4/24/headlines/eric_trump_touts_24_million_pentagon_contract_awarded_to_his_robotics_company

Beef

1996-06-06 Antitrust Enforcement in the Meat Packing Industry (archived DOJ document)

https://www.justice.gov/archives/atr/speech/antitrust-enforcement-meat-packing-industry-0

2022-03-02 Biden openly criticized the “Big Four” for manipulating the meat market.

https://www.ucs.org/about/news/biden-calls-out-meat-packers-sotu

https://www.farmaid.org/issues/corporate-power/how-consolidation-by-meatpacking-giants-is-hurting-farmers-and-consumers-and-what-the-biden-administration-is-doing-about-it/

https://newrepublic.com/article/165576/biden-meat-monopoly-antitrust-economy

https://fortune.com/2022/01/06/meat-prices-biden-inflation-tyson-cargill-jbs/

SUB WALL https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/27/meatpacking-ceos-congress-hearing-00028238

2026-04-21 The DOJ opened an investigation into whether meat packers were colluding with fixed prices or manipulating the market. See 2022 when the Biden Administration often publicly criticized the “Big Four” for manipulating the markets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IyIiwYbNJs&list=WL&index=4&t=82s

https://thehill.com/business/personal-finance/5841854-doj-investigates-meatpacking-companies/

https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/doj-probes-meatpackers-egg-suppliers-for-price-fixing

https://theweek.com/politics/justice-department-beef-meatpacking-industry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IyIiwYbNJs&list=WL&index=4&t=82s

ARCHIVED 1996 https://www.justice.gov/archives/atr/speech/antitrust-enforcement-meat-packing-industry-0

2023 OVERSIGHT https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-118hhrg52955/html/CHRG-118hhrg52955.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Berkshire Hathaway

2022-01-01 Either due to lifestyle choice or financial constraints, many Americans started living in their vans. The number reached 1.9M in 2020, and escalated to 3.1M in 2022. Berkshire Hathaway gained a corner on the market by owning the largest RV manufacturers in the country.

https://www.fiftygrande.com/a-dose-of-reality-before-you-embark-on-vanlife/

https://rv-pro.com/features/van-lifers-explain-how-they-embrace-life-on-the-road/

https://www.kiro7.com/news/is-this-why-americans-have-hit-brakes-vanlife-dream/VKZAU2V4FZIKXFDJAAN3UKPUP4/

https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/2024-national-movers-study

https://livevanlifefreedom.com/van-life-by-the-numbers-shocking-stats-you-wont-believe/

2025-01-06 The CFPB sued Vanderbilt for setting up borrowers to fail in manufactured home loans. Clayton Homes owns 50% of the manufactured house market, Berkshire Hathaway owns its finance, lease, insurance and property management companies. The allegation: the company makes the home virtually unaffordable after buyers already settled a deal, then take the property back from the buyer later. Homeowners also complained of quality issues such as “congolium”, particle board, heavy leaks, safety issues, cardboard under the vinyl, sheetrock under insulation, and mold.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-sues-vanderbilt-for-setting-borrowers-up-to-fail-in-manufactured-home-loans/

Fox Corporation

2026-06-15 Fox Corporation wants to buy Roku for $22BN.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/media/fox-buys-roku-22-billion-rcna350097

https://www.foxcorporation.com/news/corp-press-releases/2026/fox-corporation-to-acquire-roku-inc/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xJ33k1WKwmE

Google

https://www.tntechoracle.com/2026/04/14/monopolies-are-turning-us-to-an-oligarchy

https://www.aol.com/articles/10-industries-secretly-monopolies-145205692.html

Health Insurance

2015-07-03 Aetna merged with Humana. Trump killed legislation designed to prevent monopolies.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/03/419797436/aetna-announces-37-billion-merger-with-rival-humana

HP

2026-07-18 Hewlett-Packard India was fined $14.4M for rigging government bids and fixing ink and toner prices.

https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/hp-fined-millions-dollars-acting-175942607.html

LiveNation/Ticketmaster

2024-05-23 The Biden Administration and 39 States filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. In 2026 Trump reached a settlement with Live Nation that required no divestment of Ticketmaster. A coalition of over 30 states rejected the settlement, arguing it was too weak. By April 2026 a federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on every antitrust count submitted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Live_Nation_Entertainment

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-live-nation-ticketmaster-monopolizing-markets-across-live-concert

https://newsroom.livenation.com/statements/live-nation-entertainment-reaches-settlement-with-u-s-department-of-justice/

https://newsroom.livenation.com/news/live-nation-supports-president-trumps-executive-order-on-resale-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAG1X3VpUHc&list=WL&index=1

https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-f0ffdd20dd4f64e8b4bb9d97134b826f

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/livenation-illegally-monopolized-ticketing-market-jury-antitrust-trial-rcna273714

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5786715/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-verdict-monopoly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAG1X3VpUHc&list=WL&index=1

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/monopolies

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/ny-jury-finds-live-nation-illegally-monopolized-ticketing-markets-bloomberg-news-2026-04-15

2026-04-16 After a six-week trial, a New York jury found that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticket Master illegally dominated major concert venues and kept ticket prices too high.

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5786715/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-verdict-monopoly

https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-f0ffdd20dd4f64e8b4bb9d97134b826f

Luxottica (glasses)

2026-01-01 Luxottica controls all the eyewear. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://www.aol.com/articles/10-industries-secretly-monopolies-145205692.html

Meta/FB

https://www.tntechoracle.com/2026/04/14/monopolies-are-turning-us-to-an-oligarchy

https://www.aol.com/articles/10-industries-secretly-monopolies-145205692.html

Nextar Media

2025-08-19 Nexstar Media (managed by conservative donor Perry Sook and Fox exec Bill Shine) announced acquisition of TEGNA for $6.2B.

https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-media-group-inc-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-tegna-inc-for-6-2-billion-in-accretive-transaction

Paramount

2025-07-07 Paramount and Skydance announced a merger.

https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/skydance-media-and-paramount-global-sign-definitive-agreement

2025-07-24 Trump signed off on an $8.4B merger between Paramount and Skydance.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ypylq0vnko

2025-07-24 Senators requested an investigation into corruption and bribery related to the Paramount megamerger.

https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-on-trump-administration-approving-paramount-megamerger-bribery-is-illegal-no-matter-who-is-president

2025-09-05 Paramount announced its intent to buy Free Press for $100M and make its founder Bari Weiss editor in chief of CBS.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/paramount-said-prepping-to-buy-free-press-for-100m-give-bari-weiss-senior-role-at-cbs

https://www.thefp.com/p/the-gaza-famine-myth

https://www.theunspeakablepodcast.com/p/bari-weiss-derangement-free-press-debate-review

https://ccrjustice.org/home/blog/2017/08/09/recent-attack-women-s-march-organizers-irresponsibly-damaging-and-nothing-new

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/20/things-that-matter-bari-weiss-debate-series

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/opinion/were-all-fascists-now.html

https://www.thefp.com/t/zohran-mamdani

2025-09-11 Paramount announced its bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, which would then place two of Hollywood’s most powerful studios under the same owner.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/paramount-exploring-bid-warner-bros-discovery-1236529093/

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/paramount-skydance-preparing-bid-warner-bros-discovery-source-says-2025-09-11/

2026-04-06 Gulf investors, including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund L’imad, backed Paramount’s proposed $81 billion acquisition of Warner

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/three-gulf-funds-agree-back-paramounts-81-billion-takeover-warner-wsj-reports-2026-04-05/

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabis-newest-sovereign-fund-takes-control-peer-adq-major-wealth-reshuffle-2026-01-30/

https://gfmag.com/capital-raising-corporate-finance/abu-dhabi-power-play-limad-emerges-as-300-billion-sovereign-force/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/07/uae-ruling-royal-family-eu-farming-subsidies

https://deadline.com/2026/04/paramount-wbd-merger-foreign-backing-gulf-funds-deal-1236780058/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/three-gulf-funds-agree-to-back-paramount-s-81-billion-takeover-of-warner/ar-AA20e82C

PAYWALL https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/three-gulf-funds-agree-to-back-paramounts-81-billion-takeover-of-warner-04eda364

2026-04-13 Hollywood actors, writers and directors signed an open letter to voice opposition for the Paramount-Warner Brothers-Discovery merger. Part of the letter reads, “The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised. Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement”.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/hollywood-stars-sign-open-letter-opposing-paramount-warner-bros-deal-2026-04-13/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0egvr94zro

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/4/14/headlines/hollywood_stars_sign_open_letter_opposing_merger_of_paramount_and_warner_bros

2026-04-23 A Paramount-Warner Brothers Discovery merger for $111B was approved.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/media/warner-bros-discovery-shareholders-approve-paramount-skydance-merger-rcna341529

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj09ny0dq6o

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-shareholder-approval-zaslav-pay-package-1236727798/

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/warner-bros-shareholders-approve-110-175632734.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/what-a-combined-paramount-warner-would-mean-for-streaming-movies-and-news

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-deal-warner-bros-approved-shareholders-1236572862/

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/23/nx-s1-5793628/warner-bros-discovery-paramount-skydance-merger

2026-07-14 Twelve states sued Paramount over the $111B Warner takeover.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-sued-warner-bros-merger-1236631313/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/paramount-warner-merger-opposition-9.7269326

https://www.npr.org/2026/07/13/nx-s1-5879286/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-lawsuit

Pharma

https://qz.com/636823/big-pharmacies-are-dismantling-the-industry-that-keeps-us-drug-costs-even-sort-of-under-control

Simmons Pet Food

https://www.aol.com/articles/10-industries-secretly-monopolies-145205692.html

Sysco

2026-01-01 Sysco delivers the same shitty frozen food products to all the restaurants. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications/condemns-sysco-plan-to-buy-restaurant-depo

https://www.foodandwine.com/independent-restaurants-oppose-sysco-restaurant-depot-deal-11941190

https://slate.com/human-interest/2007/02/how-sysco-came-to-monopolize-most-of-what-you-eat.html

https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/group-independent-restaurants-wants-ftc-block-sysco-restaurant-depot-deal

https://substack.perfectunion.us/p/the-hidden-reason-why-restaurants

TikTok/ByteDance

2020-09-19 Trump backed a TikTok deal where Oracle and Walmart partnered with ByteDance; Walmart would hold 7.5% and ByteDance 80%.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/19/trump-says-he-has-approved-tiktok-oracle-deal-in-concept.html

2025-09-15 Trump considered selling TikTok to Larry Ellison.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/oracles-stake-tiktok-us-joint-venture-is-worth-roughly-2-billion-filing-shows-2026-03-11/

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/11/oracle-tiktok-us-stake-outages.html

2025-09-21 Trump considered selling ByteDance to Rupert Murdoch while seeking U.S. control of 6 of 7 TikTok board seats.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/21/trump-tiktok-murdoch-fox-bytedance.html

2026-03-14 Trump received a $10B transactional payout for brokering TikTok’s sale to Larry Ellison.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/03/donald-trump-tiktok-deal-10-billion-ellison-bytedance-china/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/business/trump-tiktok-10-billion-fee.html

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5787721-trump-equity-stakes-companies

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/deal-for-us-ownership-of-tiktok-is-closed-company-says-00743145

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/18/nx-s1-5648844/tiktok-deal-oracle-trump

VISA

2026-01-01 VISA dominates the global credit card industry. Trump revoked EO 14036 limiting monopolies.

https://camoinassociates.com/resources/6-reasons-monopolies-are-bad-for-the-economy/

Walmart

https://www.tntechoracle.com/2026/04/14/monopolies-are-turning-us-to-an-oligarchy

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/27/business/walmart-groceries-monopoly-amazon-antitrust

General Media

2026-08-07 The Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal the national cap on television station ownership. This will lead to greater media consolidation. Free Press announced its plans to challenge the move.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/media/federal-communications-commission-scraps-limit-broadcast-tv-ownership-rcna587641

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/8/7/headlines/fcc_votes_to_lift_limits_on_tv_station_ownership

SUB WALL https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/06/fcc-plows-ahead-with-scrapping-tv-ownership-cap-01027287