Summary: Former FTC Chair Lina Khan appeared on “The Adam Friedland Show,” where she skillfully balanced humor and serious discussion on monopolies, corruption, and healthcare. Despite being tested with jokes and offbeat questions, Khan stayed focused on her anti-monopoly message, shared insights on economic history, healthcare pricing, and corporate influence, and expressed no interest in elected office while advocating for ambitious government action.
Introduction: A Politician Without Political Ambitions
Lina Khan, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, recently appeared on The Adam Friedland Show, hosted by comedian and self-styled “Joe Rogan of the Left” Adam Friedland. Though Khan insists she has no desire to run for elected office, she demonstrated a politician’s skill at staying on message throughout the interview, despite Friedland’s playful attempts to derail the conversation with jokes and asides.
Honesty and Humor: Khan’s Relatable Side
Early in the interview, Friedland noted Khan’s difficulty with lying. Khan humorously confirmed this when asked if she was popular in high school, replying, “No, I was a newspaper editor.” Her candidness and even-keeled demeanor persisted throughout the conversation, as she laughed at jokes but quickly returned to the topics at hand.
Historical Insights: Economic Power and Political Influence
Khan offered a thoughtful perspective on how economic consolidation can lead to political concentration. She referenced post-World War II studies commissioned by the U.S. government that linked monopolization in industries like rubber and steel to the rise of Nazism in Germany. “There’s long been a recognition that concentrated economic power can go hand-in-hand with concentrated political power,” she explained, noting that this insight has been somewhat forgotten but is now resurfacing.
Healthcare: The Industry That ‘Fucks People the Most’
While Khan is often associated with regulating Big Tech, she was particularly critical of the healthcare industry during the interview. When asked which industry “fucks people the most,” she answered plainly, “Healthcare,” emphasizing the human cost of unaffordable medicines. She highlighted a successful FTC initiative that challenged pharmaceutical patent tricks, resulting in significant price reductions for asthma inhalers and relief for thousands of patients.
Big Tech and Corporate Corruption: Khan’s Focus
Khan also discussed corporate corruption and political influence, suggesting that many negative aspects of people’s lives stem from corporations breaking the law. When asked if these corporations buy political influence, she smiled and said, “Perhaps.” She stressed that taking on corporate power when laws are broken is a popular cause and central to her work.
Enforcement and Fairness: Contrasting Approaches
Contrasting her approach with that of the Trump administration, Khan emphasized even-handed law enforcement regardless of political connections. She criticized the previous administration’s leniency toward corporate lawbreakers and noted a “backsliding” in enforcement, including controversial mergers and political use of legal mechanisms.
Future Ideas and Public Sentiment
Friedland proposed unconventional ideas for uncovering corruption, such as questioning executives at events like Burning Man. Khan appreciated the creativity but noted they hadn’t tried such methods. She observed that public awareness is growing regarding corporate wrongdoing and its impact on daily life.
No Political Ambitions, But Big Ideas for Change
Despite the engaging discussion, Khan dismissed any ambitions for political office, citing her non-U.S. birth as a barrier to the presidency and jokingly entertaining the idea of becoming Queen of England. However, she expressed a strong belief in the need for ambitious government action akin to the New Deal to address contemporary corruption and economic challenges.
Throughout the interview, Khan revealed personal tidbits, such as not having an Amazon Prime account and admiring Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, known for privacy rights and FTC foundations. Her blend of humor, honesty, and policy insight made for a compelling conversation that stayed remarkably on message.