Podcast appearances and mentions of Apollo Global Management

American private equity firm

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Best podcasts about Apollo Global Management

Latest podcast episodes about Apollo Global Management

Business Pants
NUGGS: Travis Kalanick is back, Peter Thiel takes back, airlines buyback, Starbucks union fights back

Business Pants

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2026 39:21


DR1In our 'Asshole is selfish' headline of the week. Billionaire Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick admits strategically moving to Texas before California wealth tax***************Kalanick was caught on camera in a heated argument with an Uber driver, who complained about falling fares and the company's treatment of drivers: "Some people don't like to take responsibility for their own sh*t"In our 'Top snarky podcast hosts plead with airline companies to stop the share buyback bullshit and pay airport workers. ‘Once again, air travel CEOs are bullshit artists'' headline of the week. Top airline CEOs plead with Congress to restore DHS funding and pay airport workers. ‘Once again, air travel is the political football'***************Between June 1, 2025, and March 16, 2026:Southwest repurchased $2.6B in 2005; $400M in 2026United $1.5B5 NEOs: $91 million in 2025Scott Kirby $34M; $97M in shares Delta focused on $4.8B debt reductionFrontline Transportation Security Officers (TSOs, Airport Screeners): 50,000$328M per monthIn our 'Pervy owner does pervy stuff and everybody is fake shocked.' headline of the week. It Was Going to Be Magic City Night at the Atlanta Hawks. Then the Outrage Poured In.***************Tony Ressler founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management with Leon Black.An independent review revealed that Leon Black paid Jeffrey Epstein $158M for financial and tax-planning services between 2012 and 2017. These payments occurred after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting an underage girl.Ressler is the brother-in-law of Leon Black (Black is married to Ressler's sister, Debra) In our 'College dropout techbro ignores actual experts, part 17 million ' headline of the week. OpenAI's own mental health experts unanimously opposed “naughty” ChatGPT launch*************** The probably might be too many women and not enough Stanford? The council consists of the following eight independent experts:David Bickham, Ph.D. – Research Director at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical SchoolMathilde Cerioli, Ph.D. – Chief Scientific Officer at everyone.AI and researcher in cognitive neuroscience and psychologyMunmun De Choudhury, Ph.D. – Professor of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech, specializing in how technology shapes mental healthTracy Dennis-Tiwary, Ph.D. – Professor of Psychology at Hunter College and co-founder/CSO of Arcade TherapeuticsSara Johansen, M.D. – Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University and founder of Stanford's Digital Mental Health ClinicDavid Mohr, Ph.D. – Professor at Northwestern University and Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention TechnologiesAndrew K. Przybylski, Ph.D. – Professor of Human Behavior and Technology at the University of OxfordRobert K. Ross, M.D. – Former President and CEO of The California Endowment and a national leader in public health.In addition to the council's pushback, Ryan Beiermeister, OpenAI's head of product policy, was reportedly fired in January 2026 after being an outspoken internal critic of the erotica rollout. OpenAI has denied her dismissal was related to her opposition, citing separate workplace allegations that Beiermeister has called "absolutely false."In our 'Petulant manchild with no regulatory or societal guardrails screws up again and bails himself out with shareholder money from a different company' headline of the week. Elon Musk admits xAI ‘wasn't built right' as only 2 co-founders remain and its biggest AI bet stalls out***************The people leaving xAI right now aren't "legacy" employees—they are the hand-picked superstars Musk himself recruited in 2023 to build his AI dream.Out of the 12 original co-founders, 10 are gone. This isn't just "trimming the fat"; it's the original architects of the company walking out the door.In early 2026, Tesla (a public company) invested $2B into xAI.Tesla shareholders are furious, arguing that Musk used their money to fund a "broken" startup, then tucked it away inside his private SpaceX empire where there is less public oversight.Total Headcount Before Buyout: Approximately 7,500 to 8,000 employees.In his first week, Musk fired roughly 50% of the staff (about 3,700 people) overnight.Shortly after, he issued his famous "extremely hardcore" memo. When hundreds of employees refused to sign it and resigned instead, the headcount plummeted further.By April 2023, Musk confirmed in a BBC interview that the workforce had been slashed by 80%, leaving only about 1,500 employees. MM1In our 'The world's most stable billionaire announces a billionaire to all other billionaires ratio of 693:1' headline of the week. Elon Musk Is Now Worth More Than Bottom 693 Billionaires CombinedIn our 'In news celebrated worldwide, older women announce a "please save us from tech bros" to asshole ratio of 64:1 Elon Musk' headline of the week. Older women set to inherit most of $54 trillion in ‘great wealth transfer' to widowed spousesIn our 'Asshole wants you to know he is still here' headline of the week. ‘I never left': Travis Kalanick launches new robotics company Atoms with manifesto"At Atoms we make gainfully employed robots — specialized robots with productive jobs that bring abundance to their owners and society at large,"In our 'Company founder announces major "stealth mode" company perk is stealthy sexual harassment' headline of the week. Travis Kalanick sees benefits of being in stealth mode for 8 years. ‘You build a culture of people that want to build and do not need to be famous'In our 'Christmas, St. Patrick, Mel Gibson, and Casper the Friendly Ghost have reportedly filed complaints with the EEOC' headline of the week. Nike and Coca-Cola cases point to the next DEI fight: who gets to claim discriminationDR2In our 'Sheryl Sandberg says "If I could have worked at Facebook things would have turned out differently."' headline of the week. Sheryl Sandberg says Silicon Valley's hypermasculine rhetoric is ‘terrible'—contributing to ‘one of the worst' corporate climates she's ever seen*************** In our 'Explosive Messages Show Live Nation Thinks Customers Are ‘Stupid'; board member Richard Grenell Demands Credit for Same Observation' headline of the week. Live Nation Directors Mocked Customers in Explosive Just-Released Messages, Saying They're “Stupid” for Allowing Themselves to Be Gouged***************"Yes, I cut the DEI bullshit." — In a leaked 2025 email Grenell justified dismantling diversity programs by labeling them "woke" initiatives that "haven't made money."appointed to the Live Nation board on May 19, 2025, but was not up for the vote at the AGM on June 12, 2025In our 'Gun manufacturers say, "Oh no, it's not the gun that kills people, it's the pesky bullets."' headline of the week. She spent 16 hours on Instagram in a day. It's up to a jury to decide if Meta is to blame*************** In our 'She responded to "O" with "K," she said "J' to "D," and she responded to "F" with a simple "U"' headline of the week. Mary Barra still responds to ‘every single letter' she gets by hand despite running $65 billion automaker General Motors***************She did not say "V" to "E"In our 'OpenAI Chairman Admits It's Painful Watching AI Replace His Coding, Less So Watching It Accelerate the Collapse of Global Democracy' headline of the week. OpenAI Chairman says it's 'hard, emotionally' to let AI write his code: 'I have a hard time not caring'*************** MM2In our 'Proposals include a reduction in the CEO pay ratio from 1800:1 to 1799:1, for my boss to stop calling me Carl when my name is Todd, having a job, and not to have to take out my nose ring I got in 1998' headline of the week. Starbucks union sent the company a proposed contract. Here's what baristas wantProtections for union baristas against discrimination, unjust firings and temporary or permanent store closures.Starting wage floor of $17 per hour, down from its prior proposal of $20 an hour but still above the company's current starting wage of $15.25 to $16 an hour in 43 states.Annual raises of 4%.A process for baristas, management and union representatives to resolve workforce grievances.A dress code endorsed by the union.Requirement for at least three workers on the floor at all times and enforceable staffing and safety protections.A mandate to offer open hours to existing employees before hiring new baristas.Resolution of hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practice charges.In our 'But Sam Altman is SORRY' headline of the week. Professors Say AI Is Destroying Their Students' Ability to ThinkIn our 'Don't be fooled, I'm actually a MAN' headline of the week. CoStar Group Appoints Nana Banerjee to Its Board of DirectorsI pulled every Trade Wire story with a director appointment - 69 in the last week, all press released, some private some public - and here's the count: 60 men added to boards, 9 women added, 1 woman leftIn our 'Building on Warren Buffet's innovative "Giving Pledge", billionaire creates the rival "Taking Pledge"' headline of the week. Peter Thiel is actively convincing billionaires to abandon The Giving Pledge — and it's workingIn our 'When asked for comment, ISS asked if Nelson Peltz was involved.' headline of the week. The Coca-Cola Company Announces Maria Elena Lagomasino Will Conclude Her Service on the Board of Directors

Insightful Investor
#114 - Michael Gross: Private Credit Crowding, Complexity Alpha

Insightful Investor

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2026 45:06


Michael is Co‑Founder of SLR Capital Partners, a private credit firm advising on $13B of total available capital (as of 9/30/25), and a pioneer of modern private credit, including as a founding partner of Apollo Global Management. We discuss how the private credit landscape has evolved as it has scaled and institutionalized, why parts of the market have become crowded, and how complex strategies like asset‑based lending may offer more compelling risk‑adjusted returns and true portfolio differentiation today.-This podcast/webcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, or business advice. It is not a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement. All opinions expressed by participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Evoke Advisors Division of MAI Capital Management, LLC ("Evoke”), its affiliates, or any companies mentioned. Information shared has not been independently verified by MAI or its affiliates. MAI Capital Management, LLC (“MAI”) is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which does not imply any particular level of skill or training.Certain information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources and such information has not been independently verified. No representation, warranty, or undertaking, expressed or implied, is given to the accuracy or completeness of such information by any person.While such sources are believed to be reliable, Evoke does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Evoke does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein as of any future date.The content is intended for a general audience and does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell securities or adopt any investment strategy. Any examples or scenarios discussed are illustrative only, involve risks and uncertainties, and do not guarantee future results. Non-traditional assets carry significant risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Decisions should be based on individual objectives, risk tolerance, and circumstances.Statements herein are general and may not reflect an individual's or entity's specific circumstances or applicable laws, which vary by jurisdiction. Further, speakers' views are personal and may differ from Evoke and MAI recommendations and are not specific investment advice; and do not consider client objectives, risk tolerance, and diversification. Guests may have current or past relationships with Evoke and MAI, its affiliates, or the host, including as clients, service providers, or business partners. Participation does not constitute an endorsement or testimonial. No compensation has been paid or received for guest participation unless disclosed. MAI and its affiliates may have business relationships with entities mentioned in this podcast, which could create potential conflicts of interest. These relationships may include advisory services, investment management, or other arrangements. MAI seeks to manage such conflicts consistent with its fiduciary obligations and policies.(As of December 22, 2025)

Unchained
Is the DeFi Mullet Strategy the Best Way to Bring Finance Onchain?

Unchained

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2026 72:28


Sid Powell and Paul Frambot on why Apollo, Cantor, and Coinbase are quietly building their financial products on DeFi rails, and what it means for lending.  Nexo is the premier digital wealth platform. Receive interest on your crypto, borrow against it without selling, and trade a range of assets. Now available in the U.S with 30 days of exclusive privileges.  Get started at nexo.com/unchained Onchain lending used to be a crypto-native curiosity. Now Cantor Fitzgerald is extending credit facilities through it, Apollo Global Management is acquiring governance tokens, and Coinbase users are borrowing against Bitcoin to buy houses, all running on DeFi protocols operating in the background. Maple Finance CEO Sid Powell and Morpho co-founder Paul Frambot sit at the center of this shift, and they have very different reads on what it takes to make institutional adoption real.  What are the actual limits to onchain lending growth right now? Does the DeFi mullet model work for everyone, or only for specific use cases? And as DAOs across the industry stumble under the weight of public governance, what structures actually let a protocol move fast without losing trust?  This conversation gets into the mechanics, the trade-offs, and the deals that are quietly redrawing the lines between DeFi and traditional finance. Guests: ⁠Paul Frambot, Co-Founder & CEO at Morpho Labs ⁠Sid Powell, CEO & Co-Founder of Maple Finance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Moscow Murders and More
Leon Black And The 62 Million Dollar Escape Plan In The USVI

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 11:28 Transcription Available


In July 2023, billionaire Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, agreed to pay roughly $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to resolve potential claims tied to his financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. The USVI had been pursuing Epstein's estate and associates for enabling or benefiting from his trafficking network, and Black was facing scrutiny over large payments made to Epstein's companies for so-called “financial advice.” The settlement gave Black immunity from criminal liability in the USVI and ended the possibility of a lawsuit there, though it did not include an admission of wrongdoing. Black has consistently said the payments were legitimate professional fees and that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.The deal, however, did not put all questions to rest. Around the same time, the Senate Finance Committee, led by Senator Ron Wyden, released documents showing Black paid Epstein far more than originally known—over $150 million between 2012 and 2017—sparking deeper concerns that such vast sums may have indirectly financed Epstein's operations. The revelations intensified scrutiny not only of Black's judgment but also of whether banks and institutions involved properly flagged or investigated the transactions. While the $62 million settlement resolved matters with the Virgin Islands, it left lingering doubts about the true nature of Black's relationship with Epstein and whether full accountability was ever reached.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Beyond The Horizon
Leon Black And The 62 Million Dollar Escape Plan In The USVI

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2026 11:28 Transcription Available


In July 2023, billionaire Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, agreed to pay roughly $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to resolve potential claims tied to his financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. The USVI had been pursuing Epstein's estate and associates for enabling or benefiting from his trafficking network, and Black was facing scrutiny over large payments made to Epstein's companies for so-called “financial advice.” The settlement gave Black immunity from criminal liability in the USVI and ended the possibility of a lawsuit there, though it did not include an admission of wrongdoing. Black has consistently said the payments were legitimate professional fees and that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.The deal, however, did not put all questions to rest. Around the same time, the Senate Finance Committee, led by Senator Ron Wyden, released documents showing Black paid Epstein far more than originally known—over $150 million between 2012 and 2017—sparking deeper concerns that such vast sums may have indirectly financed Epstein's operations. The revelations intensified scrutiny not only of Black's judgment but also of whether banks and institutions involved properly flagged or investigated the transactions. While the $62 million settlement resolved matters with the Virgin Islands, it left lingering doubts about the true nature of Black's relationship with Epstein and whether full accountability was ever reached.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The Epstein Chronicles
Leon Black And The 62 Million Dollar Escape Plan In The USVI

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2026 11:28 Transcription Available


In July 2023, billionaire Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, agreed to pay roughly $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands to resolve potential claims tied to his financial dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. The USVI had been pursuing Epstein's estate and associates for enabling or benefiting from his trafficking network, and Black was facing scrutiny over large payments made to Epstein's companies for so-called “financial advice.” The settlement gave Black immunity from criminal liability in the USVI and ended the possibility of a lawsuit there, though it did not include an admission of wrongdoing. Black has consistently said the payments were legitimate professional fees and that he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.The deal, however, did not put all questions to rest. Around the same time, the Senate Finance Committee, led by Senator Ron Wyden, released documents showing Black paid Epstein far more than originally known—over $150 million between 2012 and 2017—sparking deeper concerns that such vast sums may have indirectly financed Epstein's operations. The revelations intensified scrutiny not only of Black's judgment but also of whether banks and institutions involved properly flagged or investigated the transactions. While the $62 million settlement resolved matters with the Virgin Islands, it left lingering doubts about the true nature of Black's relationship with Epstein and whether full accountability was ever reached.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Beyond The Horizon
Lawsuit Alleges Leon Black Colluded With Jeffrey Epstein to Target Accusers (3/4/26)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 11:50 Transcription Available


A new lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses billionaire investor Leon Black — co-founder of Apollo Global Management — of conspiring with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former law firm chairman Brad Karp to target, intimidate, and “silence and destroy” women who accused Black of sexual abuse. According to the suit by Wigdor LLP, internal emails from the recent Department of Justice release show Epstein and Karp discussing tactics to retaliate against Russian model Guzel Ganieva, including strategies to have her arrested, deported, or have her visa revoked, as well as surveilling her movements and license plates. The complaint portrays the three men as coordinating efforts to undermine and discredit accusers rather than address the allegations on their merits.The lawsuit also highlights Black's history of filing counterclaims against his accusers' legal teams, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation — all of which were dismissed — and asserts that Black misused the legal system to intimidate and suppress women seeking accountability. Black's attorney called the claims meritless, and neither Karp nor representatives for the law firm Wigdor provided comment. The filing follows previous civil actions by women alleging sexual misconduct by Black, some of which were withdrawn or dismissed, and adds new allegations that Black's legal and personal strategy included coordinated retaliation with Epstein's involvement.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Leon Black colluded with Jeffery Epstein, Brad Karp to attack accusers

Minimum Competence
Legal News for Weds 3/4 - Epstein Testimony Request for Gates, DOJ Reversal in EO Law Firm Litigation, Abbott's Premature Infant Formula Trial and CA's SALT Workaround

Minimum Competence

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 10:19


This Day in Legal History: Lincoln's Second InauguralOn March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address as he began his second term as President of the United States. The speech came during the final weeks of the Civil War, when Union victory was increasingly likely but the country remained deeply divided. Instead of celebrating the nearing end of the war, Lincoln used the moment to reflect on the deeper causes of the conflict. He identified slavery as the central issue that had brought the nation into war, describing it as both a legal institution and a moral injustice embedded in American law for generations. Lincoln noted that both the North and South had participated in a system that allowed slavery to endure within the nation's constitutional framework.In one of the address's most striking passages, Lincoln suggested that the war itself might be understood as divine judgment for the nation's long tolerance of slavery. He observed that slavery had existed in the Americas for centuries and reflected on the possibility that the immense suffering of the war was a form of punishment for that history. Lincoln famously stated that if divine providence willed that the war continue “until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword,” then such judgment might still be just. This reflection framed the war not simply as a political conflict but as a reckoning with a deeply rooted legal and moral wrong.Lincoln's remarks also pointed toward the constitutional transformation already underway through the pending Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Congress had passed the amendment earlier in 1865, and it awaited ratification by the states. If adopted, it would permanently abolish slavery across the United States and fundamentally alter the constitutional order. Lincoln's speech emphasized that the war's conclusion would also mark a legal turning point, ending a constitutional system that had protected slavery. At the same time, he called for reconciliation in rebuilding the nation, urging the country to move forward “with malice toward none.” Only months later, the Civil War ended and the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified in December 1865, permanently outlawing slavery in the United States.The House Oversight Committee has asked several high-profile figures to testify about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein as part of a broader investigation into how the federal government handled the case. Those requested to appear include departing Goldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer Kathryn Ruemmler, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black.The request to Ruemmler comes shortly after she announced plans to step down from Goldman Sachs and after Justice Department records brought renewed attention to her past communications with Epstein. Emails show that she sought career advice from him while exploring a move from Latham & Watkins to Facebook in 2018 and referred to him in messages as “Uncle Jeffrey.” The correspondence also mentioned gifts she received from him. Reports previously revealed that the two had numerous meetings during the 2010s, years after Epstein had served a prison sentence related to prostitution offenses involving minors.The committee's inquiry focuses on whether Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell used relationships with influential individuals to gain protection or influence while operating their sex-trafficking scheme. Lawmakers are also examining the federal government's handling of the investigation and the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death in a Manhattan federal jail in 2019.Along with Ruemmler, Gates and Black received similar requests for testimony. Gates has indicated he is willing to cooperate and answer questions from the committee. Black, meanwhile, is also facing a proposed class action accusing Apollo and its leadership of misleading investors about their connections to Epstein, allegations the firm has publicly denied.Other individuals asked to appear include Epstein's former assistants, political adviser Doug Band, and Gateway co-founder Ted Waitt. The committee has already interviewed several prominent figures, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as it continues reviewing the scope of Epstein's network and the government's response to his crimes.Goldman's Departing CLO, Gates Asked To Testify On Epstein - Law360 UKThe Justice Department quickly reversed course in an ongoing legal fight over executive orders issued by President Donald Trump targeting several prominent law firms. Late Monday, government lawyers told a federal appeals court they planned to drop their appeal after multiple federal judges ruled the orders unconstitutional. But the next day the department asked the court for permission to withdraw that dismissal request and continue defending the orders.The executive orders targeted firms including Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Susman Godfrey, and Jenner & Block. The measures sought to restrict the firms' security clearances, government contracts, and access to federal buildings, citing concerns about their clients and hiring practices. The firms challenged the orders in court, arguing they were unconstitutional retaliation against legal advocates.Federal judges consistently sided with the firms, with one ruling describing the order against Perkins Coie as an unprecedented attack on the legal system. After those rulings, the Justice Department initially appeared ready to abandon the appeal. Its sudden reversal, however, would allow the administration to continue fighting the cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.The law firms criticized the shift, saying the government offered no explanation for changing its position so quickly. They reiterated their commitment to challenging what they view as an unconstitutional attempt to punish law firms for representing disfavored clients. Civil liberties advocates echoed that criticism, arguing the orders represent a misuse of presidential power.The litigation highlights a broader dispute over the limits of executive authority and the independence of the legal profession. As the appeals process continues, the courts will ultimately decide whether the executive orders can survive constitutional scrutiny.BREAKING: DOJ Nixes Plan To Drop Law Firm EO Appeals In About-Face - Law360In quick reversal, DOJ seeks to continue Trump's battle with law firmsA trial beginning in Chicago will examine claims that baby formula made by Abbott Laboratories caused premature infants to develop a serious and potentially deadly intestinal condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The case consolidates lawsuits from four families whose premature children were born in Chicago-area hospitals between 2012 and 2019 and later developed the disease. Although the infants survived, the lawsuits say several required surgery and continue to face long-term health complications.The case is part of a much larger wave of litigation against Abbott and Mead Johnson, the manufacturer of Enfamil. Nearly 1,000 lawsuits have been filed across the country alleging that the companies failed to warn doctors that cow's milk-based formulas used in hospitals may increase the risk of NEC in premature infants. Many of those cases are consolidated in federal court in Illinois, while others are pending in state courts.Abbott denies that its formulas cause the disease and maintains that the products are medically necessary when mothers cannot produce enough breast milk. The company and other researchers point to evidence suggesting that the higher risk of NEC is linked to the absence of breast milk rather than exposure to formula itself.Previous trials involving similar claims have produced mixed results. Some juries have awarded large verdicts to families, including multimillion-dollar judgments against both Abbott and Mead Johnson, though those decisions are currently under appeal. Other cases have resulted in defense wins or retrials, and several potential bellwether cases in federal court have been dismissed.The Chicago trial, which begins with jury selection, is expected to last several weeks and could influence how the remaining lawsuits move forward. With hundreds of similar claims still pending, the outcome may play an important role in shaping the broader litigation over infant formula and NEC.Abbott set to face trial over claims premature infant formula caused deadly disease | ReutersIn this week's column, I look at a new California proposal that attempts to sidestep the federal cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions by reclassifying vehicle sales taxes as licensing fees. The idea is simple: if the charge is treated as a property-style fee instead of a sales tax, it could fall into a category that allows taxpayers to make greater use of their federal SALT deduction. Supporters frame the proposal as middle-class tax relief and a way to reduce the amount of federal revenue flowing out of California. But while the policy is clever, its practical benefits would be limited and uneven.The proposal follows a familiar strategy used since the 2017 tax law capped SALT deductions: when one type of tax becomes less deductible, lawmakers try to redesign the tax structure so the revenue flows through a category that remains deductible. California's approach focuses on vehicle purchases, where sales taxes are currently difficult to deduct for many residents. By redefining those charges as licensing fees, lawmakers hope taxpayers could claim them alongside property taxes under the federal deduction cap.In practice, though, most lower-income taxpayers wouldn't benefit at all. Many households take the standard deduction rather than itemizing, especially after recent tax reforms increased its size. For those taxpayers, changing the label on a vehicle tax doesn't meaningfully change their federal tax bill. Even for many itemizers, the savings would likely be small.The proposal mainly helps a narrow band of higher-earning taxpayers—people with substantial state and property taxes who are still just below the federal SALT cap. For them, a vehicle purchase could generate a deductible amount that meaningfully lowers their federal tax liability. But that advantage grows with the price of the car and the taxpayer's marginal tax rate, which means the largest benefits flow to relatively affluent households.If the goal is truly middle-class relief, a more direct approach would likely work better. For example, a refundable state tax credit tied to vehicle purchases could help working families without depending on federal deduction rules or itemization. Another long-term option would be shifting some of California's tax burden from individuals to businesses, since certain business-level taxes remain deductible federally.California's proposal shows the creativity that the SALT deduction cap has sparked among state policymakers. The real question, however, is whether clever tax reclassification is the right tool—or whether more straightforward policies aimed directly at middle-income taxpayers would produce fairer and more predictable results.California SALT Deduction Proposal Is More Clever Than Helpful This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

The Moscow Murders and More
Lawsuit Alleges Leon Black Colluded With Jeffrey Epstein to Target Accusers (3/4/26)

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 11:50 Transcription Available


A new lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses billionaire investor Leon Black — co-founder of Apollo Global Management — of conspiring with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former law firm chairman Brad Karp to target, intimidate, and “silence and destroy” women who accused Black of sexual abuse. According to the suit by Wigdor LLP, internal emails from the recent Department of Justice release show Epstein and Karp discussing tactics to retaliate against Russian model Guzel Ganieva, including strategies to have her arrested, deported, or have her visa revoked, as well as surveilling her movements and license plates. The complaint portrays the three men as coordinating efforts to undermine and discredit accusers rather than address the allegations on their merits.The lawsuit also highlights Black's history of filing counterclaims against his accusers' legal teams, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation — all of which were dismissed — and asserts that Black misused the legal system to intimidate and suppress women seeking accountability. Black's attorney called the claims meritless, and neither Karp nor representatives for the law firm Wigdor provided comment. The filing follows previous civil actions by women alleging sexual misconduct by Black, some of which were withdrawn or dismissed, and adds new allegations that Black's legal and personal strategy included coordinated retaliation with Epstein's involvement.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Leon Black colluded with Jeffery Epstein, Brad Karp to attack accusersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
Lawsuit Alleges Leon Black Colluded With Jeffrey Epstein to Target Accusers (3/3/26)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 11:50 Transcription Available


A new lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses billionaire investor Leon Black — co-founder of Apollo Global Management — of conspiring with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former law firm chairman Brad Karp to target, intimidate, and “silence and destroy” women who accused Black of sexual abuse. According to the suit by Wigdor LLP, internal emails from the recent Department of Justice release show Epstein and Karp discussing tactics to retaliate against Russian model Guzel Ganieva, including strategies to have her arrested, deported, or have her visa revoked, as well as surveilling her movements and license plates. The complaint portrays the three men as coordinating efforts to undermine and discredit accusers rather than address the allegations on their merits.The lawsuit also highlights Black's history of filing counterclaims against his accusers' legal teams, alleging malicious prosecution and defamation — all of which were dismissed — and asserts that Black misused the legal system to intimidate and suppress women seeking accountability. Black's attorney called the claims meritless, and neither Karp nor representatives for the law firm Wigdor provided comment. The filing follows previous civil actions by women alleging sexual misconduct by Black, some of which were withdrawn or dismissed, and adds new allegations that Black's legal and personal strategy included coordinated retaliation with Epstein's involvement.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Leon Black colluded with Jeffery Epstein, Brad Karp to attack accusersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Bloomberg Talks
Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan Talks AI, Private Markets

Bloomberg Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 25:14 Transcription Available


Marc Rowan, CEO and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, joins Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait at Bloomberg Invest to talk about AI's impact on the markets, as well as the future of private markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becker Group C-Suite Reports Business of Private Equity
Is the Era of Private Equity Over? 2-26-26

Becker Group C-Suite Reports Business of Private Equity

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 2:24


In this episode, Scott Becker examines how firms like Blackstone, KKR, and Apollo Global Management are under pressure from high interest rates, stalled exits, and too many funds chasing too few deals

Becker Group Business Strategy 15 Minute Podcast
Is the Era of Private Equity Over? 2-26-26

Becker Group Business Strategy 15 Minute Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 2:24


In this episode, Scott Becker examines how firms like Blackstone, KKR, and Apollo Global Management are under pressure from high interest rates, stalled exits, and too many funds chasing too few deals

Bloomberg Talks
Apollo Global Management President Jim Zelter Talks Role in Software Space, US Investment in Japan

Bloomberg Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 15:16 Transcription Available


Apollo Global Management President Jim Zelter sits with Bloomberg's Jonathan Ferro and Lisa Abramowicz to discuss the firm's position on software as well as the potential increase of investment in Japan for the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High & Low
Roasting the Broligarchy: Epstein Dive 6 - More Diary Pages, Allegations Against Billionaire Leon Black, and Explaining the Outrage over Lifetouch

High & Low

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 78:36


This dive begins by reviewing more pages of the unknown girl's diary that was featured in Part 5. These new pages list multiple names of prominent men whose influence span across NASCAR, private equity, and politics. One man named is Leon Black, former CEO of private equity giant Apollo Global Management, with a unifying theme across several allegations about his preference to inflict a unique type of pain. A lawsuit filed against Leon Black connects to Epstein staffer Sarah Kellen/Kensington and helps explain the current day blowback concerning the photography company, Lifetouch. People featured for their Epstein correspondence and/or connection in this episode include: Leon Black, Sarah Kellen/Kensington, Dan Snyder, Joe Gibbs, Charles Joseph Colgan, Brian Vickers, Larry Summers, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Senator George Mitchell, Steve Bannon, and more. Check your voter registration, find your polling location, or contact your representatives via USA.GOV, VOTE.GOV, and/or the "5 Calls" app. All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. This podcast is hosted by a United States citizen, born and raised in a military family that is proud of this country's commitment to free speech. Information shared is cited via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, executive orders, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity and presented in layman's terms.“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” - James BaldwinWanna support this independent pod? Links below:Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/BBDBBuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Last American Vagabond
DOJ Caught Covering Up Bondi/Patel Communications In Epstein Files

The Last American Vagabond

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026 143:13 Transcription Available


Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (2/6/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v737u4c","div":"rumble_v737u4c"}); Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): Saudi Arabia's Airstrikes in Yemen Killed at Least 13 Civilians in January - News From Antiwar.com Rate of Israeli Strikes on Lebanon at Highest Level Since Ceasefire - News From Antiwar.com US Launches Its 27th Airstrike in Somalia of the Year - News From Antiwar.com Trump is blasting away at Somalia with zero effect | Responsible Statecraft Pentagon Inks Massive $200 Million Deal to Buy Israeli Cluster Weapons (17) Ryan Rozbiani on X: "Every Iranian and American MUST WATCH THIS NEW

Alles auf Aktien
Eine böse Steuerfalle für ETF-Sparer und 5 neue Bayer-Blockbuster

Alles auf Aktien

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2026 25:17


In der heutigen Folge sprechen die Finanzjournalisten Daniel Eckert und Lea Oetjen über bittere Enttäuschungen bei den US-Großbanken, die fünf Blockbuster von Bayer und den großen Oracle-Streit. Außerdem geht es um Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Tesla, Fresenius Medical Care, RWE, KKR & Co, Apollo Global Management, EQT AB, iShares MSCI Japan (WKN: A0DK60), Vanguard FTSE Japan Distributing (WKN: A1T8FU) und Amundi Core MSCI Japan (WKN: LYX0YC). Wir freuen uns an Feedback über aaa@welt.de. Noch mehr "Alles auf Aktien" findet Ihr bei WELTplus und Apple Podcasts – inklusive aller Artikel der Hosts und AAA-Newsletter. Hier bei WELT: https://www.welt.de/podcasts/alles-auf-aktien/plus247399208/Boersen-Podcast-AAA-Bonus-Folgen-Jede-Woche-noch-mehr-Antworten-auf-Eure-Boersen-Fragen.html. Der Börsen-Podcast Disclaimer: Die im Podcast besprochenen Aktien und Fonds stellen keine spezifischen Kauf- oder Anlage-Empfehlungen dar. Die Moderatoren und der Verlag haften nicht für etwaige Verluste, die aufgrund der Umsetzung der Gedanken oder Ideen entstehen. Hörtipps: Für alle, die noch mehr wissen wollen: Holger Zschäpitz können Sie jede Woche im Finanz- und Wirtschaftspodcast "Deffner&Zschäpitz" hören. +++ Werbung +++ Du möchtest mehr über unsere Werbepartner erfahren? Hier findest du alle Infos & Rabatte! https://linktr.ee/alles_auf_aktien Impressum: https://www.welt.de/services/article7893735/Impressum.html Datenschutz: https://www.welt.de/services/article157550705/Datenschutzerklaerung-WELT-DIGITAL.html

DH Unplugged
DHUnplugged #786: All In A Weeks Work

DH Unplugged

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 60:50


Greenland, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia – USA is the world’s Cop again? More .. Housing, Credit cards, Fannie and Freddie – all in week’s work.. Retail investors in control – don’t care about the noise. PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter   Warm-Up - Greenland, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia - USA is the world's Cop again? - More .. Housing, Credit cards, Fannie and Freddie - all in week's work.. - Retail investors in control - don't care about the noise Markets - DJIA plowing ahead - NASDAQ on fire - what can stop this? - Nuclear stocks back in play - Defense names on the move - Interesting economic news. FIRST - President Donald Trump said drug “cartels are running Mexico,” and suggested the U.S. military could start land strikes against them there. - The comments come on the heels of suggestions that Trump could take military action in Cuba and Colombia, and to annex Greenland. - The Trump administration has reportedly carried out 35 known strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, killing 115 individuals. - I will be going to Mexico later this week for a couple of days..... Retail Ruling - Retail traders have extended a buying spree into the new year, following a record-setting performance in 2025, with purchases in the first four trading days of January hitting the second-highest level in almost eight months. - Individual investors have bought about $10.1 billion of US equities since the start of the year, mainly via exchange-traded funds, far exceeding the 12-month weekly average. - Retail investors' confidence has helped stabilize markets during recent pullbacks, and if they keep snapping up equities, gains in the US stock market are likely to persist, according to analysts. Employment Report - 4.4% Unemployment Rate - Nonfarm Payroll Employment: U.S. employers added +50,000 jobs in December 2025. This came in below economists' expectations (consensus around 60,000–73,000) and was a slowdown from the downwardly revised +56,000 in November. - Unemployment Rate: Edged down slightly to 4.4% (from a revised 4.5% in November), contrary to forecasts of 4.5%. The number of unemployed people remained around 7.5 million, showing little change. - Full-Year 2025 Performance: Total payroll growth for the year was just +584,000 jobs (average monthly gain of +49,000), marking one of the weakest years for hiring since 2020 (impacted by the pandemic). This is a sharp drop from +2.0 million added in 2024 (average +168,000 monthly). -Revisions to Prior Months: -- October 2025: Revised down to -173,000 (from -105,000, reflecting federal government buyouts and shutdown effects). -- November 2025: Revised down by 8,000 to +56,000. -- Combined October–November: 76,000 fewer jobs than previously reported. GDP - HOT - Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari (voting FOMC member) on CNBC says it is very surprising how strong GDP growth is; says labor market is clearly cooling; says inflation still too high; has confidence housing inflation will trend down - Q3 at +3.8% and Atlanta GDP NOW is predicting that Q4 will come in at +5.1% More Eco - Productivity (Prelim Q3): 4.9% vs. 2.5% consensus - Productivity measures output per hour worked. A jump to 4.9% (almost double the consensus) suggests businesses are producing much more per labor hour than expected. Prior was revised up to 4.1% from 3.3%, so the trend is strengthening. WOW! Unit Labor Costs (Prelim Q3): -1.9% vs. +0.8% consensus - Unit labor costs measure labor cost per unit of output. A negative number means costs per unit are falling. Prior revised to -2.9% from +1.0%, so costs have been dropping sharply. -Could be due to technology adoption, automation, or efficiency improvements. Post-pandemic restructuring and leaner operations may have boosted output without adding labor. OOOOOOOPS - White House official says Truth Social disclosure of December jobs report was an "inadvertent release"; says White House will review protocols - CNBC  What next? - President Donald Trump called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%, effective Jan. 20, without specifying details. - Trump wrote on social media that the American Public will no longer be "ripped off" by Credit Card Companies that are charging Interest Rates of 20 to 30%, and even more. - Maybe because of this: Hours before his message on Friday, Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, said on X: “Trump promised to cap credit card interest rates at 10% and stop Wall Street from getting away with murder. Instead, he deregulated big banks charging up to 30% interest on credit cards.” - BUT! Credit card companies will not be forced to issue credit - right? It will hurt people that need credit for business, personal or other needs. Then there was this: - Mortgage rates fell sharply on Friday, a day after President Donald Trump said on social media that he is instructing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds. - “This will drive Mortgage Rates DOWN, monthly payments DOWN, and make the cost of owning a home more affordable,” he said in the Truth Social post. - Still not clear where the money will come from and hot this actually works with the current structure of Fannie and Freddie - Talk of Fannie/Freddie IPO? --- Both are still still in conservatorship and book value per share still negative - SO WHERE DOES MONEY COME FROM? OHHHHH - How about this - 4PM browbeating for the Defense companies - RTX was in the hotseat (as were others) taking the wrath of Pres Trump saying that they were basically fat and happy and ripping off the taxpayer - No more dividends and no more buybacks was the call - Stocks dropped 5% into the close and then more after - 30 minutes later - conversation changed and the idea of a move from $1T in spending for the defense budget should move to $1.5T in 2027. ----- Where does that money come from? - Stocks JUMPED! Can't Ignore this - Trump suggesting that Corporations and institutional investors cannot buy single family homes - “People live in homes, not corporations,” he said. - The argument is that corporate ownership has helped push housing further out of reach for everyday Americans. - It is for that reason, and much more, that I am immediately taking steps to ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, and I will be calling on Congress to codify it. - Invitation Homes, which is the largest renter of single-family homes in the country, tumbled 6%. Shares of Blackstone, an investing firm that owns and rents single-family homes, dropped more than 5%. Private equity firm Apollo Global Management also declined over 5%. Then there is this... - DOJ putting he screws to Powell - The Trump administration has ramped up its pressure campaign on the U.S. central bank, threatening to indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over comments he made to Congress about a building renovation project, prompting the Fed chief to call the move a "pretext" to gain more influence over the ?setting of interest rates. - The latest development in a long-running effort by U.S. President Donald Trump to push the Fed to dramatically lower rates had immediate fallout in Washington and on global markets. - Powell came out with a video over the weekend. - Initially futures were down

No Cap by CRE Daily
How Bridge Investment Group Is Underwriting Multifamily Deals After the Supply Shock

No Cap by CRE Daily

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 33:02


Season 5, Episode 1: We're officially launching Season 5 of the No Cap Podcast...and we're starting strong. This week, Jack and Alex sit down with Colin Apple, Co-Chief Investment Officer for Bridge Investment Group's multifamily platform, one of the largest apartment owners in the country. Bridge was recently acquired by Apollo Global Management, giving the platform expanded access to institutional capital while continuing to operate as a standalone real estate business within Apollo. Colin breaks down how Bridge evaluates dislocation, why capital is behaving the way it is, where they're still finding opportunity, and what separates durable operators from those getting washed out. If you want a clear read on how one of the most active institutional investors is navigating this cycle, this episode delivers. Shoutout to our sponsor, Bracket. The AI platform transforming how we underwrite deals. TOPICS 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – Colin's Path Into Real Estate and Joining Bridge 04:18 – Building Bridge's Platform Across Strategies 08:20 – Growth Drivers: Class B/C, Supply, and Rents 10:40 – Coastal vs. Sun Belt and What “Back” Really Means 14:34 – Sun Belt Check: Cap Rates, Supply, and Patience 18:40 – Underwriting With Higher Expenses 21:00 – Navigating the Cycle and Protecting Downside 26:40 – Cap Rates, Return Hurdles, and 2026–27 Outlook 31:30 – Advice for Young Investors and Finding Opportunity For more episodes of No Cap by CRE Daily visit https://www.credaily.com/podcast/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoCapCREDaily About No Cap Podcast Commercial real estate is a $20 trillion industry and a force that shapes America's economic fabric and culture. No Cap by CRE Daily is the commercial real estate podcast that gives you an unfiltered ”No Cap” look into the industry's biggest trends and the money game behind them. Each week co-hosts Jack Stone and Alex Gornik break down the latest headlines with some of the most influential and entertaining figures in commercial real estate. About CRE Daily  CRE Daily is a digital media company covering the business of commercial real estate. Our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge they need to make smarter decisions and do more business. We do this through our flagship newsletter (CRE Daily) which is read by 65,000+ investors, developers, brokers, and business leaders across the country. Our smart brevity format combined with need-to-know trends has made us one of the fastest growing media brands in commercial real estate.

Bloomberg Talks
Apollo Global Management President Jim Zelter Talks Asset Management

Bloomberg Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026 17:04 Transcription Available


Apollo Global Management President Jim Zelter sits with Bloomberg's Jonathan Ferro, Lisa Abramowicz, and Annmarie Hordern about the current state of asset management, as well as President Trump's idea to bring down the cost of real estate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEG Insight Bridge
The Emperor's New Economic Model: Decoding the Forces Driving Markets in 2026

FEG Insight Bridge

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026 39:06


In this episode, Greg Dowling sits down with Torsten Slok, Partner and Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, to break down the forces shaping markets in 2026. They discuss the surprising resilience of the global economy in 2025, the transformative power of AI and the persistence of a K-shaped economy. Torsten also weighs in on private credit's growth, China's structural challenges, Europe's fiscal pivot and the global industrial renaissance reshaping investment opportunities. He also reveals what may be next for inflation and the Fed—and uncovers the hidden risks that could shake up markets this year.You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Beyond The Horizon
Mega Edition: The Apollo Global Board Loses Faith In Leon Black (1/1/26)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 49:54 Transcription Available


When the Jeffrey Epstein story exploded back into public view in 2019, investors at Apollo Global Management were immediately confronted with damaging revelations about co-founder Leon Black and his deep financial ties to Epstein. The disclosure that Black had paid Epstein tens of millions of dollars—later revealed to total roughly $158 million—set off alarm bells across Apollo's investor base, particularly among public pension funds and institutional limited partners who are acutely sensitive to reputational and governance risk. These investors were not reacting to rumor or tabloid noise; they were responding to documented financial relationships that continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction, raising serious questions about Black's judgment and Apollo's internal controls.As the story unfolded through late 2019 and into 2020, confidence in Black's leadership eroded rapidly. Investors began pressing Apollo's board for explanations, transparency, and concrete action, with some signaling that future capital commitments were at risk if Black remained in control. The issue metastasized from a personal scandal into a firm-wide credibility problem, forcing Apollo to commission an external review and publicly address governance failures it had long avoided. By the time Black announced his exit, investor faith had already collapsed; his continued presence was widely viewed as incompatible with Apollo's ability to raise capital and maintain legitimacy in a market increasingly intolerant of Epstein-adjacent risk.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Beyond The Horizon
Mega Edition: Leon Black And His Battle For Control At Apollo After The Epstein Story Broke (1/2/26)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 53:58 Transcription Available


Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of Leon Black and longtime face of Apollo Global Management, was effectively forced out of the firm he helped build after revelations about his extensive financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein became impossible to contain. Reporting revealed that Black paid Epstein roughly $158 million over several years for what was described as tax and estate planning advice—payments that continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. As public scrutiny intensified, investors, limited partners, and regulators began questioning Apollo's governance, oversight, and judgment, turning Black from an asset into a reputational liability almost overnight.While Black formally characterized his departure in 2021 as a voluntary step down, the reality was far more coercive. Apollo's board commissioned an outside review that confirmed the scale of the Epstein payments, and pressure mounted from pension funds and institutional investors who made clear that Black's continued presence threatened capital commitments and the firm's standing. Faced with growing backlash and an untenable optics problem, Apollo moved to distance itself from its co-founder, stripping Black of his leadership role and accelerating a governance overhaul. In practical terms, Black wasn't gently ushered aside—he was pushed out to protect the firm, marking one of the clearest examples of how the Epstein fallout claimed a major Wall Street power player long before any courtroom accountability arrived.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The Moscow Murders and More
Mega Edition: Leon Black And His Battle For Control At Apollo After The Epstein Story Broke (1/1/26)

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 53:58 Transcription Available


Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of Leon Black and longtime face of Apollo Global Management, was effectively forced out of the firm he helped build after revelations about his extensive financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein became impossible to contain. Reporting revealed that Black paid Epstein roughly $158 million over several years for what was described as tax and estate planning advice—payments that continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. As public scrutiny intensified, investors, limited partners, and regulators began questioning Apollo's governance, oversight, and judgment, turning Black from an asset into a reputational liability almost overnight.While Black formally characterized his departure in 2021 as a voluntary step down, the reality was far more coercive. Apollo's board commissioned an outside review that confirmed the scale of the Epstein payments, and pressure mounted from pension funds and institutional investors who made clear that Black's continued presence threatened capital commitments and the firm's standing. Faced with growing backlash and an untenable optics problem, Apollo moved to distance itself from its co-founder, stripping Black of his leadership role and accelerating a governance overhaul. In practical terms, Black wasn't gently ushered aside—he was pushed out to protect the firm, marking one of the clearest examples of how the Epstein fallout claimed a major Wall Street power player long before any courtroom accountability arrived.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Moscow Murders and More
Mega Edition: The Apollo Global Board Loses Faith In Leon Black (1/1/26)

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2026 49:54 Transcription Available


When the Jeffrey Epstein story exploded back into public view in 2019, investors at Apollo Global Management were immediately confronted with damaging revelations about co-founder Leon Black and his deep financial ties to Epstein. The disclosure that Black had paid Epstein tens of millions of dollars—later revealed to total roughly $158 million—set off alarm bells across Apollo's investor base, particularly among public pension funds and institutional limited partners who are acutely sensitive to reputational and governance risk. These investors were not reacting to rumor or tabloid noise; they were responding to documented financial relationships that continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction, raising serious questions about Black's judgment and Apollo's internal controls.As the story unfolded through late 2019 and into 2020, confidence in Black's leadership eroded rapidly. Investors began pressing Apollo's board for explanations, transparency, and concrete action, with some signaling that future capital commitments were at risk if Black remained in control. The issue metastasized from a personal scandal into a firm-wide credibility problem, forcing Apollo to commission an external review and publicly address governance failures it had long avoided. By the time Black announced his exit, investor faith had already collapsed; his continued presence was widely viewed as incompatible with Apollo's ability to raise capital and maintain legitimacy in a market increasingly intolerant of Epstein-adjacent risk.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
Mega Edition: The Apollo Global Board Loses Faith In Leon Black (12/30/25)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2025 49:54 Transcription Available


When the Jeffrey Epstein story exploded back into public view in 2019, investors at Apollo Global Management were immediately confronted with damaging revelations about co-founder Leon Black and his deep financial ties to Epstein. The disclosure that Black had paid Epstein tens of millions of dollars—later revealed to total roughly $158 million—set off alarm bells across Apollo's investor base, particularly among public pension funds and institutional limited partners who are acutely sensitive to reputational and governance risk. These investors were not reacting to rumor or tabloid noise; they were responding to documented financial relationships that continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction, raising serious questions about Black's judgment and Apollo's internal controls.As the story unfolded through late 2019 and into 2020, confidence in Black's leadership eroded rapidly. Investors began pressing Apollo's board for explanations, transparency, and concrete action, with some signaling that future capital commitments were at risk if Black remained in control. The issue metastasized from a personal scandal into a firm-wide credibility problem, forcing Apollo to commission an external review and publicly address governance failures it had long avoided. By the time Black announced his exit, investor faith had already collapsed; his continued presence was widely viewed as incompatible with Apollo's ability to raise capital and maintain legitimacy in a market increasingly intolerant of Epstein-adjacent risk.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
Mega Edition: Leon Black And His Battle For Control At Apollo After The Epstein Story Broke (12/31/25)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2025 53:58 Transcription Available


Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of Leon Black and longtime face of Apollo Global Management, was effectively forced out of the firm he helped build after revelations about his extensive financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein became impossible to contain. Reporting revealed that Black paid Epstein roughly $158 million over several years for what was described as tax and estate planning advice—payments that continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. As public scrutiny intensified, investors, limited partners, and regulators began questioning Apollo's governance, oversight, and judgment, turning Black from an asset into a reputational liability almost overnight.While Black formally characterized his departure in 2021 as a voluntary step down, the reality was far more coercive. Apollo's board commissioned an outside review that confirmed the scale of the Epstein payments, and pressure mounted from pension funds and institutional investors who made clear that Black's continued presence threatened capital commitments and the firm's standing. Faced with growing backlash and an untenable optics problem, Apollo moved to distance itself from its co-founder, stripping Black of his leadership role and accelerating a governance overhaul. In practical terms, Black wasn't gently ushered aside—he was pushed out to protect the firm, marking one of the clearest examples of how the Epstein fallout claimed a major Wall Street power player long before any courtroom accountability arrived.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Moscow Murders and More
The High Powered Legal Team Assembled By Leon Black To Fend Off The Epstein Allegations

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2025 10:38 Transcription Available


Leon Black assembled a formidable, top-tier legal defense team to confront allegations tied to his financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, drawing heavily from the highest ranks of elite white-collar defense and former federal prosecutors. Legal observers noted that Black retained attorneys with deep experience in complex financial litigation, internal investigations, and crisis management—lawyers accustomed to navigating SDNY scrutiny, high-stakes reputational risk, and parallel civil and regulatory exposure. The team was structured not only to defend against specific legal claims, but to manage disclosure strategy, negotiate with prosecutors and regulators, and control narrative damage as scrutiny intensified around Black's payments to Epstein and his role at Apollo Global Management.Commentators in the legal community emphasized that the sophistication of Black's defense reflected both the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of potential exposure, particularly in civil litigation and institutional fallout rather than criminal charges. The strategy combined aggressive factual rebuttal with procedural pressure, including motions to dismiss, jurisdictional challenges, and efforts to narrow claims before discovery could expand. While the legal firepower succeeded in limiting some courtroom consequences, analysts pointed out that no amount of legal muscle could fully insulate Black from reputational harm, shareholder backlash, or public scrutiny. In that sense, Black's legal team was widely viewed as one of the most powerful assembled in any Epstein-adjacent case—effective at legal containment, even as broader questions about accountability remained unresolved.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protomail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
The High Powered Legal Team Assembled By Leon Black To Fend Off The Epstein Allegations

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2025 10:38 Transcription Available


Leon Black assembled a formidable, top-tier legal defense team to confront allegations tied to his financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, drawing heavily from the highest ranks of elite white-collar defense and former federal prosecutors. Legal observers noted that Black retained attorneys with deep experience in complex financial litigation, internal investigations, and crisis management—lawyers accustomed to navigating SDNY scrutiny, high-stakes reputational risk, and parallel civil and regulatory exposure. The team was structured not only to defend against specific legal claims, but to manage disclosure strategy, negotiate with prosecutors and regulators, and control narrative damage as scrutiny intensified around Black's payments to Epstein and his role at Apollo Global Management.Commentators in the legal community emphasized that the sophistication of Black's defense reflected both the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of potential exposure, particularly in civil litigation and institutional fallout rather than criminal charges. The strategy combined aggressive factual rebuttal with procedural pressure, including motions to dismiss, jurisdictional challenges, and efforts to narrow claims before discovery could expand. While the legal firepower succeeded in limiting some courtroom consequences, analysts pointed out that no amount of legal muscle could fully insulate Black from reputational harm, shareholder backlash, or public scrutiny. In that sense, Black's legal team was widely viewed as one of the most powerful assembled in any Epstein-adjacent case—effective at legal containment, even as broader questions about accountability remained unresolved.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protomail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Beyond The Horizon
Leon Black And The Tossed RICO Case

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2025 12:37 Transcription Available


Leon Black, the billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, filed a civil RICO lawsuit in 2023 against his accuser, former Russian model Guzel Ganieva, and her attorneys, alleging they engaged in an extortion and fraud scheme by fabricating sexual assault claims to extract money from him. Black's suit claimed that Ganieva and those advising her knowingly made false allegations, manipulated evidence, and used media pressure as leverage, framing the dispute not as a question of abuse but as a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The filing was aggressive by design, attempting to flip the narrative and place Black in the role of victim while casting his accuser as part of an organized shakedown.The federal court ultimately rejected that framing and dismissed the RICO case, finding that Black failed to plausibly allege the existence of a racketeering enterprise or a pattern of racketeering activity as required under the statute. The judge concluded that what Black described amounted to a private civil dispute—however bitter and high-stakes—not a criminal conspiracy governed by RICO law. The dismissal did not resolve the underlying abuse allegations or validate either side's broader claims; it simply made clear that RICO was not the proper legal vehicle for Black's counteroffensive. The ruling underscored how difficult it is to stretch racketeering law to cover personal misconduct disputes, even when vast wealth, reputational damage, and high-profile accusations are involved.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Business Pants
BP's new CEO (and failed ex-chair), nepo tantrum at WBD, tech bros say life's not worth it

Business Pants

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 69:21


Story of the Week (DR):Embattled BP replaces CEO, naming Woodside Energy chief as first-ever woman leader of a Big Oil giant MMBP names new CEO — its fourth in 6 yearsO'Neill will replace Murray Auchincloss, after less than two years in the role.BP's C-suite milestone: Women in both the CEO and CFO seatsMelody Meyer: Chair of the safety and sustainability committeeDame Amanda Blanc: Senior independent director Interim CEO Carol HowleCFO Kate ThomsonEmma Delaney: EVP, customers & productsKerry Dryburgh - EVP, people, culture & communications and chief human resources and communications officer *Emeka Emembolu: EVP, technology*William Lin - EVP, gas & low carbon energy2 of 8 white dude leadershipEven after Pamela Daley stepped down in July, still 43% female board influenceMeg O'Neill: ‘hard-nosed' outsider who will head BP's pivot away from green energyFirst female appointment to a major oil company has faced fierce resistance from climate activists as boss of Woodside43% female board influence at WoodsideCarol Howle, current executive vice president, supply, trading & shipping of bp, will serve as interim CEO until Meg joins as CEO.BP 'woke' agenda axed as it hires first female chief exec and doubles down on fossil fuelsWarner Bros Discovery board rejects rival bid from ParamountWBD's board of directors (chaired by Samuel Di Piazza Jr.) has unanimously rejected the Paramount tender as inferior and risky, urging shareholders to reject it and uphold the Netflix transaction instead.David Ellison pulled the dad card early onRight after WBD rejected one of multiple secret bids in September, David Ellison called Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav to request that Zaslav meet with his father, Larry Ellison. The conventional wisdom was that the Oracle cofounder's billions would prevail. In the end, that didn't happen. WBD expressed concern that the bid relied on a revocable trust, whose assets or liabilities were subject to change.A zealous Paramount pulled out all the stops to woo ZaslavWe already knew Zaslav stood to make over $500 million from a Paramount deal, based mainly on his shares that would vest immediately after it closed ($567,712,631, to be exact, according to the filing). Zaslav told the WBD board that the Ellisons had "indicated to him that" if a deal went through, he would "receive a compensation package worth several hundred million dollars," per the filing. Zaslav responded that it "would be inappropriate to discuss any such arrangements at that time," he told the board.Paramount also offered Zaslav the position of co-CEO and co-chairman of the combined company, a role Netflix didn't offer, the filing said.That runs contrary to the narrative put forth in a letter Paramount's attorneys at Quinn Emanuel sent to WBD, stating they suspected the process was biased in favor of Netflix due to WBD leadership's expectations that there could be roles for them at the new company. Paramount's legal and financial advisors didn't know about the "December 3 Quinn Emanuel" letter and, in their view, the letter should not have been sent, was "not helpful," and was a "mistake," the filing says.TikTok signs agreement to create new U.S. joint ventureTikTok has signed binding agreements with investors including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX for the sale of its US arm, creating a joint venture as part of a deal orchestrated by President Donald Trump.The U.S. joint venture will be 50% held by a consortium of new investors, including Larry Ellison's Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi's MGX, with 15% each. Just over 30% will be held by affiliates of certain existing investors of ByteDance, and almost 20% will be retained by ByteDanceHouse Democrats release more Epstein photos, including Bill Gates and a dinner full of wealthy philanthropists Donald TrumpBill Clinton Bill Gates – Microsoft co-founderSergey Brin – Google co-founderRichard Branson – Virgin Group founderLarry Summers – Economist, Harvard President, OpenAI directorSalar Kamangar – Former YouTube CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem — Emirati businessman; Chair/CEO of DP WorldLes Wexner — Founder of L BrandsLeon Black — co-founder and former CEO of Apollo Global ManagementTom Pritzker — Executive Chair Hyatt HotelsGlenn Dubin — Hedge fund manager Dubin & Co.; co-founder of Highbridge Capital Management Ron Baron — Founder & chairman of Baron Capital ManagementJosh Harris — co-founder of Apollo Global Management and managing partner of Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Washington CommandersAriane de Rothschild — Wealthy banking heir; CEO of Edmond de Rothschild GroupGoodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Canada to Launch Sustainable Investment Taxonomy in 2026According to the government, the new taxonomy will provide a set of criteria for the identification of investments that are eligible for a “green” or “transition” investment label, enabling companies to issue green or transition bonds, and investors to evaluate the credibility of sustainable investment products.MM: Tesla's having a good time at the DMVCalifornia won the right to ban sales of Tesla vehicles in the state due to false advertising about “self driving cars”MM: Walmart's women truckers surge thanks to $115,000 starting pay and other perks bringing in nontraditional candidatesAssholiest of the Week (MM):Helge LundEmbattled BP replaces CEO, naming Woodside Energy chief as first-ever woman leader of a Big Oil giant:O'Neill is “taking over the British energy behemoth at a time when it has fallen behind the other global oil and gas supermajors and was even a potential takeover target earlier this year by rival Shell.”Is there anything glass cliff-ier than this stat:Helge Lund has now overseen BP's failed Murray Auchincloss tenure, Bernard Looney's tenure, and Bob Dudley's leaving (6 year tenure) and Novo Nordisk's incredible succession failure, the failure of Nokia in 2013… I hate having to celebrate a female first - like becoming a CEO when eminently overqualifiedSam Altman againSam Altman says he has '0%' excitement about being CEO of a public company ahead of a potential OpenAI IPOHe changed it from a non profit to a for profit in order to go public and make all the money.Also: “billionaire says”Sam Altman Sounds Alarm As ChatGPT Explodes Globally: 'Rate Of Change' Sparks AI Anxiety, Job FearsSam Altman Uses His New Image Generator to Show Himself As a Jacked Fireman With Washboard Abs… With an Absolutely Hilarious ErrorSam Altman says OpenAI has gone 'code red' multiple times; and they'll do it againThe “sound the alarm” gaslightPeter C. Earle, Ph.D, Director of Economics and Economic Freedom and Senior Research Fellow at American Institute for Economic Research DRStop Fixating on CEO Pay Ratios and Start Fixing Labor Markets“The average employee is hired under conditions of broad substitutability — many people can competently perform the role with modest training. The CEO labor market is the opposite: extremely small, specialized, global, and contingent on track records that can shift a firm's valuation by billions of dollars. The demand curve for top executive talent is steep; the supply curve is extraordinarily thin.”“Skilled executives can influence strategy, capital allocation, risk management, and organizational culture in ways that affect firm performance far more than incremental labor inputs elsewhere in the organization, even if the latter are voluminous. If a CEO's decisions add even a few percentage points to long-term returns, the economic value created dwarfs the compensation.”Translation: CEOs are worth it, regular workers are not. “Such a ratio also ignores value creation. [...] The relevant question is not “Is the ratio of worker to executive pay too large?” but rather “Does the CEO create more value than their talent costs?”Does not propose how to prove value creation of the CEO other than “stock go up”Earle had this to say about leadership in 2019: “teams (also companies, organizations, groups, and so on) which experience outstanding success inevitably cite leadership as a factor — often the decisive one, and frequently emanating from a particular individual.”“But it should come as no surprise that many successful sports teams, firms, and organizations readily identify leadership as the decisive factor in their triumphs. It's a better story than merely having incredible resources and facilities, superior performance, or as is often the case: simple, garden-variety luck.”Headliniest of the WeekDR: Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary plans to step down by 2035 & Chipotle chases the protein craze with new menu items — including meat in a cupMM: LinkedIn CEO says it's ‘outdated' to have a five-year career plan: It's a ‘little bit foolish' considering the pace AI is changing the workplaceWho Won the Week?DR: Powerful women at BPMM: 4 year career plansPredictionsDR: David Ellison cancels his Netflix subscription then hires Erika Kirk to run programming at Nickelodeon and MTVMM: Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary steps down in 2035 and become executive chair, pledging to step down as executive chair in 2057.

Critical thinking, critical issues
Building tomorrow's private market portfolio | In conversation with Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management

Critical thinking, critical issues

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 13:42


In this episode of The CEO Perspectives, Mick Dempsey, President of Mercer Investments & Retirement business, sits down with Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, for a candid conversation on the structural forces reshaping private markets. As one of the architects of the convergence between insurance capital and private credit, Marc offers his perspective on how this model is evolving and why it's becoming central to the future of long-term investing.The discussion also explores the shift from 'return on capital' to 'return of capital,' the risks building beneath the surface of rising allocations, and what's keeping senior decision-makers up at night. For institutional investors navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain environment, Marc's insights provide a clear-eyed view into what it takes to lead and allocate with conviction.This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer's opinions.This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.Read our full important notices - click here

InvestOrama - Separate Investment Facts from Financial Fiction
The Data Secrets Behind the $Multi-Trillion Rise of Asset-Based Finance

InvestOrama - Separate Investment Facts from Financial Fiction

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2025 37:22


As banks retreated from 2008, Private Credit filled in the gap. What started as a niche within private equity now operates like a global lending system. And it extends beyond corporate balance sheets, asset-based finance, the ability to lend against real, cash-generating assets is growing fast and offers countless opportunities. The real unlock isn't just capital — it's the data and technology allowing to manage these assets at scale.Granular, asset-level data enables better underwriting, continuous monitoring, and access to previously illiquid markets. In my conversation with Cesar Estrada, we explored:* How private credit replaced traditional bank lending* Why asset-backed finance is now being unleashed* How to understand the fall of Tricolor and First Brands* And how data and technology could be defining the winners in this marketA few highlights from our conversationAsset-based finance - an ever-expanding universe Asset-based finance means that instead of lending against the future cash flows of a company, you're lending against an asset and the contractual cash flows associated with that asset. That's a very broad definition, and it can include anything within, the consumer, finance world, buy now, pay later, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, any personal term loans, residential mortgages, home, equity lines of credit, the list, keeps on going on as you move outside of a consumer world into, other types of things.Any type of account receivable, supply chain financing, litigation finance, and then more esoteric stuff like, synthetic risk transfers and other things. And it's becoming very specialized by verticals: aviation finance, medical equipment finance…It has possibly a larger addressable market than direct lending. It offers a lot of runway for growth for private equity, private credit firms, hedge funds, and insurance companies participating directly in this space.The need for data feeds From a risk management perspective, given the rate of change of a consumer world, loans are being paid, new loans are being issued, loans are being not paid. You want to be monitoring this much much more real time than you do in a corporate book, where you're getting monthly reporting from the borrower and you are comparing their latest actual financials against the original underwriting thesis against prior periods. And you do that activity once a month.This is not a once-a-month thing. This is a daily thing. You want to see how it's changing because it's changing very dynamically.I was surprised that this frequency of data was even a possibility, and Cesar also added that it goes beyond risk management; it also feeds into the creation of funds for private investors with daily NAV and daily liquidity. The frequency of reporting increases, the liquidity choices increase, and the volumes and rate of change in the investment strategies increase. That all compounds to necessitate a very robust, modern technology to process all of that data.The First Brands & Tricolor questionCesar mentioned he didn't have any specifics on the situation, and when I asked about the data issue, his response from a data management provider was to be expected.It is certainly possible that better data with more accuracy and more frequency could have helped offer a view that those assets were being used as collateral with multiple lenders. […]But I wanted to dig a bit further, and at first, the response confirmed that when a crisis happens, all assets that are linked to it fall at the same time, even if in the long term, there's dispersion (like banks during the Global Financial crisis)In terms of how it happened so quickly, so abruptly. Again, pure speculation, I think that those things might have been bubbling without the public knowing for a while. But as soon as a big source of financing decides that you're no longer creditworthy, all of the other sources of financing follow suit, and it's very abrupt. You can face a liquidity challenge and go bankrupt.It reminded me that Apollo Global Management shorted First Brands' credit risk before the company's fall, showing the information asymmetry that still exists in private credit. This requires a few caveats: First Brands was more direct lending; Tricolor was more linked to asset-based finance; nothing says that Apollo had better data. Yet, until the data-based approach that Cesar described becomes table stakes, it could be an important differentiator.Related episode:About Cesar Estrada:Cesar oversees Arcesium's investment operations, accounting, and data management solutions for private markets fund managers and institutional investors. Previously, he served as Senior Managing Director and Alternatives Segment Head for North America at State Street – a role in which he drove the growth agenda for a business with approximately $1 trillion in Assets Under Administration (AUA) by leading new product launches, expansion into new client segments, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. Prior to that, as a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan, Cesar led the Private Equity & Real Estate Funds Services business from launch to $350Bn AUA. While at J.P. Morgan, he also held investment banking roles in New York, London, and Hong Kong.Link: https://www.arcesium.com/authors/cesar-estradaAbout the Investlogy podcast:Investology is a podcast dedicated to rethinking investment management and uncovering new ways to deliver better outcomes for investors.Listen on every podcast platform, or watch on YouTube.An episode produced by Orama:Accelerate sales to the financial industry with content that builds trust and drives pipeline with sales-driven video strategies.About the Host:George Aliferis, CAIA is the founder of Orama, where he has produced content for financial brands and multinationals including Amazon, Expedia, Louis Vuitton, and Unilever. Before that, he spent over a decade structuring, marketing and selling complex financial products to institutional clients in Europe and Asia.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-aliferis-60078312/My Investing & Investment Management YouTube Channels* Investorama - Separating Investment Facts from Financial Fiction (YouTube)* Investology - Re-Think Investment Management (YouTube) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit investorama.substack.com

Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Everyone older than me was optimizing careers for comfort — I think we need to be uncomfortable. I think we need to push the boundaries.”Vineet Mehra is CMO of Chime - the fastest-growing and most-loved consumer banking service in the U.S. - where he leverages data-driven and cultural marketing strategies to drive growth and challenge industry norms. Vineet is a global marketing leader, Board Director, and advisor recognized for building disruptive, category-defining brands. Previously, Vineet served as Global Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he led the $100B company through its COVID-19 transformation, and as Chief Growth Officer at Ancestry, launching AncestryDNA to redefine consumer genomics. Before that, Vineet served in many rising leadership roles across CPG. At Johnson & Johnson, Vineet was Global President of Baby Care and Global President of Marketing, overseeing a multibillion-dollar portfolio and modernizing worldwide marketing capabilities. Vineet held early leadership roles at Novartis Consumer Health across Europe, the U.S., and Canada, as well as brand-building assignments at General Mills. Procter & Gamble was Vineet's career start — first in Canada in Beauty Sales & Marketing, and later as a regional Beauty Care Brand Manager in Asia - shaping his reputation as one of the industry's most globally experienced marketers. Named among Forbes' 50 Most Influential CMOs, Vineet is committed to advancing the marketing industry — currently serving as an advisor to Spotify, MMA Global, Ridge Ventures, OfferFit by Braze, AI Trailblazers, and Virtuosi LEAP. Previously, Vineet held senior advisory and board roles at WPP, Apollo Global Management, AdTheorent, Adweek, Knotch, and Effie Worldwide — where he served as Chairman of the Board. An avid traveler, Vineet has visited over 80 countries and cherishes creating memories with his family.This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who's spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she's honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

Inside the ICE House
Episode 497: Athene CEO Grant Kvalheim on Addressing America's Growing Retirement Crisis

Inside the ICE House

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2025 26:18


Athene is redefining retirement security through innovation, scale, and long-term vision. CEO Grant Kvalheim joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how the company's five-year growth plan is expanding its market leadership and helping millions of Americans build more confident retirements. He shares how Athene's partnership with Apollo Global Management, commitment to digital transformation, and culture of ownership are driving efficiency, innovation, and lasting impact across the retirement services industry.

Beyond The Horizon
Pam Bondi's Puppet Show: When the DOJ Hires Epstein's Friends to Investigate Epstein's Friends (11/16/25)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2025 16:19 Transcription Available


In a move widely criticized as politically motivated and structurally compromised, former SEC chairman Jay Clayton—who previously worked closely with Apollo Global Management, the private-equity firm led for decades by Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black—was appointed to oversee an investigation into Epstein's alleged ties to Donald Trump's political adversaries. Critics argue that placing someone so closely connected to a firm entangled in Epstein's financial orbit fundamentally undermines the credibility of the inquiry. While the announcement was framed as a push for transparency, the decision raised immediate concerns about conflicts of interest and selective scrutiny. Observers note that when Trump publicly demanded investigations into his opponents, he conspicuously avoided referencing Black or Les Wexner, another figure long linked to Epstein, fueling allegations that the appointment was designed to protect insiders rather than expose them.The broader controversy highlights what many see as a calculated effort to contain the fallout from newly surfaced Epstein-related communications that could implicate individuals across both political parties. Rather than pursuing a comprehensive accounting, the administration's strategy appears focused on limiting exposure and reframing the narrative toward partisan targets. Survivors of Epstein's abuse and their advocates have expressed frustration that those with direct proximity to Epstein—financially and personally—continue to remain shielded while public attention is redirected. Critics contend that the government's approach resembles damage control rather than a legitimate pursuit of justice, reinforcing suspicions that political and financial interests, rather than accountability, are driving decisions at the highest levels.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The Moscow Murders and More
Pam Bondi's Puppet Show: When the DOJ Hires Epstein's Friends to Investigate Epstein's Friends (11/16/25)

The Moscow Murders and More

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2025 16:19 Transcription Available


In a move widely criticized as politically motivated and structurally compromised, former SEC chairman Jay Clayton—who previously worked closely with Apollo Global Management, the private-equity firm led for decades by Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black—was appointed to oversee an investigation into Epstein's alleged ties to Donald Trump's political adversaries. Critics argue that placing someone so closely connected to a firm entangled in Epstein's financial orbit fundamentally undermines the credibility of the inquiry. While the announcement was framed as a push for transparency, the decision raised immediate concerns about conflicts of interest and selective scrutiny. Observers note that when Trump publicly demanded investigations into his opponents, he conspicuously avoided referencing Black or Les Wexner, another figure long linked to Epstein, fueling allegations that the appointment was designed to protect insiders rather than expose them.The broader controversy highlights what many see as a calculated effort to contain the fallout from newly surfaced Epstein-related communications that could implicate individuals across both political parties. Rather than pursuing a comprehensive accounting, the administration's strategy appears focused on limiting exposure and reframing the narrative toward partisan targets. Survivors of Epstein's abuse and their advocates have expressed frustration that those with direct proximity to Epstein—financially and personally—continue to remain shielded while public attention is redirected. Critics contend that the government's approach resembles damage control rather than a legitimate pursuit of justice, reinforcing suspicions that political and financial interests, rather than accountability, are driving decisions at the highest levels.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
Pam Bondi's Puppet Show: When the DOJ Hires Epstein's Friends to Investigate Epstein's Friends (11/15/25)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2025 16:19 Transcription Available


In a move widely criticized as politically motivated and structurally compromised, former SEC chairman Jay Clayton—who previously worked closely with Apollo Global Management, the private-equity firm led for decades by Jeffrey Epstein associate Leon Black—was appointed to oversee an investigation into Epstein's alleged ties to Donald Trump's political adversaries. Critics argue that placing someone so closely connected to a firm entangled in Epstein's financial orbit fundamentally undermines the credibility of the inquiry. While the announcement was framed as a push for transparency, the decision raised immediate concerns about conflicts of interest and selective scrutiny. Observers note that when Trump publicly demanded investigations into his opponents, he conspicuously avoided referencing Black or Les Wexner, another figure long linked to Epstein, fueling allegations that the appointment was designed to protect insiders rather than expose them.The broader controversy highlights what many see as a calculated effort to contain the fallout from newly surfaced Epstein-related communications that could implicate individuals across both political parties. Rather than pursuing a comprehensive accounting, the administration's strategy appears focused on limiting exposure and reframing the narrative toward partisan targets. Survivors of Epstein's abuse and their advocates have expressed frustration that those with direct proximity to Epstein—financially and personally—continue to remain shielded while public attention is redirected. Critics contend that the government's approach resembles damage control rather than a legitimate pursuit of justice, reinforcing suspicions that political and financial interests, rather than accountability, are driving decisions at the highest levels.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Cold Call
Apollo Global Management’s Business Model Transformation

Cold Call

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2025 29:16


Apollo Global Management has transformed itself from a traditional private equity giant into an insurance-fueled credit powerhouse—thanks to its acquisition of life annuity issuer Athene. CEO Marc Rowan makes a bold bet that an asset-heavy model, which is backed by hundreds of billions in long-term insurance liabilities, can drive repeatable, superior returns and propel Apollo's assets under management to $1.5 trillion. However, public markets award Apollo a multitude on its earnings that is far lower than asset-light peers like Blackstone, which highlights important trade-offs. Harvard Business School professor George Serafeim joins host Brian Kenny to discuss the questions raised by the case, Apollo Global Management, and explore what Apollo's transformation reveals about business-model innovation and risk management in today's rapidly evolving private markets ecosystem, and what it means to be a modern investment firm.

Beyond The Horizon
AThe Battle Royale Inside Of The Boardroom Of Apollo In The Wake Of The Epstein Scandal

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 17:51 Transcription Available


The fallout from the revelations about Leon Black's financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein ignited a bitter power struggle at Apollo Global Management. When it was revealed that Black had paid Epstein over $150 million for questionable “advisory services,” investors, regulators, and the public demanded accountability. That scrutiny forced Apollo's board to initiate a review, which ultimately led to Black stepping down earlier than planned. His departure cracked open rivalries among Apollo's co-founders, with Marc Rowan and Josh Harris maneuvering for influence. What should have been a smooth leadership transition instead turned into a test of Apollo's governance, reputation, and stability in the face of scandal.The struggle was not just about replacing Black—it was about cleaning up the mess his actions left behind. Senior leadership and board members clashed over why such extraordinary sums were paid to Epstein with little documentation or oversight, sparking deeper questions about Apollo's culture of accountability. Harris, once considered a top contender for the top role, pulled back from daily management amid the turmoil, leaving Rowan to step into leadership. The entire episode underscored how deeply Epstein's shadow reached into the highest levels of finance, destabilizing one of the world's most powerful private equity firms and forcing Apollo to reckon with reputational damage that money alone couldn't erase.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://nypost.com/2021/05/24/jeffrey-epstein-led-to-fallout-at-apollo-global-management/

The Epstein Chronicles
Leon Black's Apollo Global And The Pursuit Of Twitter

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 17:51 Transcription Available


In April 2022, when Elon Musk made his $43–44 billion bid to buy Twitter, Apollo Global Management quickly surfaced as one of the major Wall Street firms exploring involvement. Reports from the Wall Street Journal and Sports Business Journal indicated that Apollo, which owned Yahoo and AOL through its portfolio, was considering helping finance Musk's bid through preferred equity or debt financing. The firm was also exploring options to roll its existing digital assets—like Yahoo's advertising infrastructure—into a broader partnership with Twitter after acquisition. The discussions positioned Apollo as one of the most significant institutional players potentially backing Musk, underscoring its appetite for high-profile tech and media investments.By October 2022, however, Reuters and PYMNTS confirmed that Apollo, along with Sixth Street Partners, had dropped out of negotiations. Sources familiar with the talks said the firms were “no longer in discussions” to participate in the financing package, citing uncertainties over Musk's shifting deal terms and the platform's long-term revenue trajectory. The withdrawal highlighted Apollo's risk-management approach—balancing bold investment ambition with caution toward volatile technology assets. In the end, Musk closed the acquisition without Apollo's participation, and the firm publicly moved on to other digital-media ventures.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

FT News Briefing
Japan's transformational coalition deal

FT News Briefing

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 11:02


European governments have rallied behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and are rushing to secure a deal on the use of Russia's frozen assets, a coalition deal in Japan paves the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country's first female prime minister, and Amazon Web Services experienced a major outage on Monday. Plus, Marc Rowan, chief executive of Apollo Global Management, has said Europe is “at war with itself” over financial regulation. Mentioned in this podcast:Europeans rush to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's defence after tense Donald Trump meetingApollo's Marc Rowan says ‘at war with itself' over finance regulationAmazon says cloud services recovering from widespread outageJapan coalition deal paves way for Sanae Takaichi to become first female PMToday's FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ralph Nader Radio Hour
The Era of the Bully

Ralph Nader Radio Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 96:09


Ralph welcomes Professor Roddey Reid to break down his book “Confronting Political Intimidation and Public Bullying: A Handbook for the Trump Era and Beyond.” Then, we are joined by the original Nader's Raider, Professor Robert Fellmeth, who enlightens us on how online anonymity and Artificial Intelligence are harming children.Roddey Reid is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego where he taught classes on modern cultures and societies in the US, France, and Japan. Since 2008 he has researched and published on trauma, daily life, and political intimidation in the US and Europe. He is a member of Indivisible.org San Francisco, and he hosts the blog UnSafe Thoughts on the fluidity of politics in dangerous times. He is also the author of Confronting Political Intimidation and Public Bullying: A Handbook for the Trump Era and Beyond.I think we still have trouble acknowledging what's actually happening. Particularly our established institutions that are supposed to protect us and safeguard us—many of their leaders are struggling with the sheer verbal and physical violence that's been unfurling in front of our very eyes. Many people are exhausted by it all. And it's transformed our daily life to the point that I think one of the goals is (quite clearly) to disenfranchise people such that they don't want to go out and participate in civic life.Roddey ReidWhat's broken down is…a collective response, organized group response. Now, in the absence of that, this is where No King's Day and other activities come to the fore. They're trying to restore collective action. They're trying to restore the public realm as a place for politics, dignity, safety, and shared purpose. And that's been lost. And so this is where the activists and civically engaged citizens and residents come in. They're having to supplement or even replace what these institutions traditionally have been understood to do. It's exhilarating, but it's also a sad moment.Roddey ReidRobert Fellmeth worked as a Nader's Raider from 1968 to 1973 in the early days of the consumer movement. He went on to become the Price Professor of Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego (where he taught for 47 years until his retirement early this year) and he founded their Children's Advocacy Institute in 1983. Since then, the Institute has sponsored 100 statutes and 35 appellate cases involving child rights, and today it has offices in Sacramento and DC. He is also the co-author of the leading law textbook Child Rights and Remedies.I think an easy remedy—it doesn't solve the problem totally—but simply require the AI to identify itself when it's being used. I mean, to me, that's something that should always be the case. You have a right to know. Again, free speech extends not only to the speaker, but also to the audience. The audience has a right to look at the information, to look at the speech, and to judge something about it, to be able to evaluate it. That's part of free speech.Robert FellmethNews 10/17/25* In Gaza, the Trump administration claims to have brokered a ceasefire. However, this peace – predicated on an exchange of prisoners – is extremely fragile. On Tuesday, Palestinians attempting to return to their homes were fired upon by Israeli soldiers. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed those shot were “terrorists” whose attempts to “approach and cross [the Yellow Line] were thwarted.” Al Jazeera quotes Lorenzo Kamel, a professor of international history at Italy's University of Turin, who calls the ceasefire a “facade” and that the “structural violence will remain there precisely as it was – and perhaps even worse.” We can only hope that peace prevails and the Palestinians in Gaza are able to return to their land. Whatever is left of it.* Despite this ceasefire, Trump was denied in his bid for a Nobel Peace Prize. The prize instead went to right-wing Venezuelan dissident María Corina Machado. Democracy Now! reports Machado ran against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2023, but was “barred from running after the government accused her of corruption and cited her support for U.S. sanctions against Venezuela.” If elected Machado has promised to privatize Venezuela's state oil industry and move Venezuela's Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and in 2020, her party, Vente Venezuela, “signed a pact formalizing strategic ties with Israel's Likud party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” Machado has also showered praise on right-wing Latin American leaders like Javier Milei of Argentina and following her victory, praised Trump's “decisive support,” even telling Fox News that Trump “deserves” the prize for his anti-Maduro campaign, per the Nation.* Machado's prize comes within the context of Trump's escalating attacks on Venezuela. In addition to a fifth deadly strike on a Venezuelan boat, which killed six, the New York Times reports Trump has ordered his envoy to the country Richard Grenell to cease all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, including talks with President Maduro. According to this report, “Trump has grown frustrated with…Maduro's failure to accede to American demands to give up power voluntarily and the continued insistence by Venezuelan officials that they have no part in drug trafficking.” Grenell had been trying to strike a deal with the Bolivarian Republic to “avoid a larger conflict and give American companies access to Venezuelan oil,” but these efforts were obviously undercut by the attacks on the boats – which Democrats contend are illegal under U.S. and international law – as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeling Maduro a “fugitive from American justice,” and placing a $50 million bounty on his head. With this situation escalating rapidly, many now fear direct U.S. military deployment into Venezuela.* Meanwhile, Trump has already deployed National Guard troops to terrorize immigrants in Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope and a Chicago native, met with Chicago union leaders in Rome last week and urged them to take action to protect immigrants in the city. Defending poor immigrants is rapidly becoming a top priority for the Catholic Church. Pope Leo has urged American bishops to “speak with one voice” on the issue and this story related that “El Paso bishop Mark Seitz brought Leo letters from desperate immigrant families.” Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, also at the meeting with Leo and the union leaders, said that the Pope “wants us to make sure, as bishops, that we speak out on behalf of the undocumented or anybody who's vulnerable to preserve their dignity…We all have to remember that we all share a common dignity as human beings.”* David Ellison, the newly-minted CEO of Paramount, is ploughing ahead with a planned expansion of his media empire. His next target: Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ellison already pitched a deal to WB CEO David Zaslav, but the $20 per share offer was rejected. However, Ellison is likely to offer a new deal “possibly…backed by his father Larry Ellison or a third party like Apollo [Global Management].” There is also talk that he could go directly to the WBD shareholders if the corporate leadership proves unresponsive. If Ellison is intent on this acquisition, he will need to move fast. Zaslav is planning to split the company into a “studios and HBO business,” and a Discovery business, which would include CNN. Ellison is clearly interested in acquiring CNN to help shape newsroom perspectives, as his recent appointment of Bari Weiss as “editor-in-chief” of CBS News demonstrates, so this split would make an acquisition far less of an attractive prospect. We will be watching this space.* In another Ellison-related media story, Newsweek reports Barron Trump, President Trump's 19-year-old son, is being eyed for a board seat at the newly reorganized Tik-Tok. According to this story, “Trump's former social media manager Jack Advent proposed the role at the social media giant, as it comes into U.S. ownership, arguing that the younger Trump's appointment could broaden TikTok's appeal among young users.” Barron is currently enrolled in New York University's Stern School of Business and serves as an “ambassador” for World Liberty Financial, the “Trump family's crypto venture.” TikTok U.S., formerly owned and operated by the Chinese company ByteDance, is being taken over by a “consortium of American investors [including Larry Ellison's] Oracle and investment firm Silver Lake Partners,” among others.* As the government shutdown drags on, the Trump administration is taking the opportunity to further gut the federal government, seeming to specifically target the offices protecting the most vulnerable. According to NPR, “all staff in the [Department of Education] Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), with the exception of a handful of top officials and support staff, were cut,” in a reduction-in-force or RIF order issued Friday. One employee is quoted saying “This is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.” Per this report, OSERS is “responsible for roughly $15 billion in special education funding and for making sure states provide special education services to the nation's 7.5 million children with disabilities.” Just why exactly the administration is seeking to undercut federal support for disabled children is unclear. Over at the Department of Health and Human Services, headed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS sent out an RIF to “approximately 1,760 employees last Friday — instead of the intended 982,” as a “result of data discrepancies and processing errors,” NOTUS reports. The agency admitted the error in a court filing in response to a suit brought by the employees' unions. Even still, the cuts are staggering and include 596 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 125 at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to name just a few. This report notes that other agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security all sent out inaccurately high RIFs as well.* The Lever reports Boeing, the troubled airline manufacturer, is fighting a new Federal Aviation Administration rule demanding additional inspections for older 737 series planes after regulators discovered cracks in their fuselages. The rule “would revise the inspection standards…through a regulatory action called an ‘airworthiness directive.'...akin to a product recall if inspectors find a defective piece of equipment on the plane…in [this case] cracks along the body of the plane's main cabin.” The lobbying group Airlines for America is seeking to weaken the rule by arguing that the maintenance checks would be too “costly” for the airline industry, who would ultimately have to bear the financial brunt of these inspections. Boeing is fighting them too because such a rule would make airlines less likely to buy Boeing's decaying airplanes. As this report notes, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy – who oversees the FAA – “previously worked as an airline lobbyist…[and] Airlines for America recently selected the former Republican Governor of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu to be their chief executive officer.”* In more consumer-related news, Consumer Reports has been conducting a series of studies on lead levels in various consumer products. Most recently, a survey of protein powders and shakes found “troubling levels of toxic heavy metals,” in many of the most popular brands. They write, “For more than two-thirds of the products we analyzed, a single serving contained more lead than CR's food safety experts say is safe to consume in a day—some by more than 10 times.” Some of these products have massively increased in heavy metal content just over the last several years. CR reports “Naked Nutrition's Vegan Mass Gainer powder, the product with the highest lead levels, had nearly twice as much lead per serving as the worst product we analyzed in 2010.” The experts quoted in this piece advise against daily use of these products, instead limiting them to just once per week.* Finally, in a new piece in Rolling Stone, David Sirota and Jared Jacang Maher lay out how conservatives are waging new legal campaigns to strip away the last remaining fig leaves of campaign finance regulation – and what states are doing to fight back. One angle of attack is a lawsuit targeting the restrictions on coordination between parties and individual campaigns, with House Republicans arguing that, “because parties pool money from many contributors, that ‘significantly dilutes the potential for any particular donor to exercise a corrupting influence over any particular candidate' who ultimately benefits from their cash.” Another angle is a lawsuit brought by P.G. Sittenfeld, the former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati – who has already been pardoned by Trump for accepting bribes – but is seeking to establish that “pay-to-play culture is now so pervasive that it should no longer be considered prosecutable.” However, the authors do throw out one ray of hope from an unlikely source: Montana. The authors write, “Thirteen years after the Supreme Court gutted the state's century-old anti-corruption law, Montana luminaries of both parties are now spearheading a ballot initiative circumventing Citizens United jurisprudence and instead focusing on changing state incorporation laws that the high court rarely meddles with.The measure's proponents note that Citizens United is predicated on state laws giving corporations the same powers as actual human beings, including the power to spend on politics. But they point out that in past eras, state laws granted corporations more limited powers — and states never relinquished their authority to redefine what corporations can and cannot do. The Montana initiative proposes to simply use that authority to change the law — in this case, to no longer grant corporations the power to spend on elections.” Who knows if this initiative will move forward in Montana, but it does provide states a blueprint for combatting the pernicious influence of Citizens United. States should and must act on it.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Beyond The Horizon
Mega Edition: Leon Black And His "Rap" Performance (10/11/25)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 35:41 Transcription Available


Leon Black's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein spanned decades and has been a source of sustained scandal. Black, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, paid Epstein at least $158 million (and recent investigations suggest as much as $170 million) between 2012 and 2017 for tax, estate planning, and art-collection services. Black has acknowledged that working with Epstein was a “horrible mistake” and said he deeply regrets their association. Nonetheless, his payments and closeness to Epstein have invited intense scrutiny about what Black knew — or should have known — about Epstein's criminal network. Meanwhile, congressional and regulatory probes have sought to uncover the full extent of their financial entanglements and whether Black's use of Epstein's services was beyond mere professional consults.In addition to the financial scandal, Black's ties to Epstein have been tangled with serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Multiple lawsuits accuse Black of rape, including claims that in 2002, when introduced by Epstein, he assaulted a 16-year-old autistic girl in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. One prominent lawsuit filed by Cheri Pierson accused Black of attacking her in Epstein's home; that lawsuit was later dismissed. Black has denied all criminal wrongdoing, asserting consensual relationships and rejecting claims against him as false. These overlapping allegations and financial links with Epstein have undermined Black's reputation, led to his resignation as MoMA board chair and Apollo executive, and triggered ongoing legal and reputational battles.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmaill.com

Beyond The Horizon
Mega Edition: One Of Leon Black's Accusers Fires Her Whole Legal Team (10/10/25)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 42:45 Transcription Available


Guzel Ganieva, a former Russian model, accused billionaire Leon Black of sexual abuse, coercion, and defamation stemming from a relationship that began in 2008. She alleged that Black raped her in 2014, engaged in “sadistic sexual acts,” and forced her into signing a nondisclosure agreement under duress to keep her silent. Ganieva claimed that Black used his wealth and power to control her and made payments to maintain her silence. Black denied all wrongdoing, describing the relationship as consensual and accusing Ganieva of extortion. The lawsuit gained national attention due to Black's high-profile status as co-founder of Apollo Global Management and his financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.In March 2023, Ganieva fired her legal team, Wigdor LLP, citing an “irrevocable breakdown” in their attorney-client relationship and moved to represent herself. A New York State Supreme Court judge later granted Wigdor's request to withdraw. In May 2023, a judge dismissed Ganieva's defamation claims, ruling that the nondisclosure agreement she signed — and accepted $9.5 million from — barred her case and that she had ratified the deal by taking its benefits. Ganieva appealed, but courts have continued to uphold the dismissal. Black later sued both Ganieva and her former law firm for malicious prosecution, alleging reputational damage, and while parts of that countersuit were dismissed, other claims were allowed to proceed.to contact me:bobbyapucci@protonmail.com

Beyond The Horizon
Morning Update: A Trip Around The Jeffrey Epstein Related Headlines (10/10/25)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 26:28 Transcription Available


A new wave of scrutiny has reignited public attention on figures once connected to Jeffrey Epstein, with developments spanning finance, politics, and media. Billionaire investor Leon Black, who resigned from Apollo Global Management in 2021 after revelations he paid Epstein more than $150 million for “tax and estate planning,” is reportedly in talks to anchor a bid for The Telegraph, one of Britain's most storied newspapers. The move, seen by critics as an attempt at reputation rehabilitation, has drawn renewed criticism over Black's past ties to Epstein — particularly as he seeks control of a media institution traditionally associated with moral conservatism.Across the Atlantic, former Labour heavyweight Peter Mandelson has been ousted from his ambassadorial role after emails emerged showing him describing Epstein as a “good friend” and advocating for his early release even after the financier's sex crime conviction. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who initially defended Mandelson, reversed course swiftly once the correspondence became public, declaring the longtime political operator would have “no future role” in government. The episode has underscored the enduring reputational risks tied to Epstein's network, years after his death, and how proximity to his name continues to derail public careers.Meanwhile, journalist and author Michael Wolff has resurfaced with claims that Epstein's “ghost” still haunts former president Donald Trump — a relationship both men have publicly minimized. Wolff's insinuations, based largely on anecdotal accounts and suggestive sourcing, have been met with skepticism, yet continue to generate headlines in a political environment where scandal and spectacle often overshadow substance. Collectively, the stories of Black, Mandelson, and Trump — filtered through a media ecosystem eager for intrigue — illustrate how Epstein's legacy remains an open wound in elite circles, where power, money, and image intersect in a never-ending struggle between denial and exposure.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Beyond The Horizon
Mega Edition: Leon Black Gets Bounced From MoMa For His Epstein Ties (10/10/25)

Beyond The Horizon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 64:32 Transcription Available


Leon Black's fall from grace at the Museum of Modern Art came in early 2021, after intense public backlash over his deep financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Reports revealed that Black had paid Epstein approximately $158 million for tax and estate advisory services, long after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor. The revelations sparked outrage across New York's art world, with artists, staff, and activists demanding his removal from MoMA's board. Protesters accused the museum of moral hypocrisy for maintaining ties with a man linked to Epstein's network, arguing that his presence tainted the institution's credibility and mission. As pressure mounted from both within and outside MoMA, calls for his resignation grew louder, and donors began quietly voicing discomfort about his continued leadership.In March 2021, facing unrelenting scrutiny, Black announced that he would step down as chairman of MoMA's board and not seek re-election when his term ended. While he technically remained on the board as a trustee, his exit from the chairmanship was viewed as a forced retreat under immense public pressure. His resignation from the top spot came shortly after he also resigned as CEO of Apollo Global Management amid the same Epstein scandal. MoMA attempted to minimize the fallout by framing his departure as voluntary, but the timing — coming amid protests and reputational damage — made clear that Black's position had become untenable. His exit marked one of the most high-profile instances of cultural institutions severing ties with financiers connected to Epstein.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The Epstein Chronicles
Morning Update: A Trip Around The Jeffrey Epstein Related Headlines (10/10/25)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 26:28 Transcription Available


A new wave of scrutiny has reignited public attention on figures once connected to Jeffrey Epstein, with developments spanning finance, politics, and media. Billionaire investor Leon Black, who resigned from Apollo Global Management in 2021 after revelations he paid Epstein more than $150 million for “tax and estate planning,” is reportedly in talks to anchor a bid for The Telegraph, one of Britain's most storied newspapers. The move, seen by critics as an attempt at reputation rehabilitation, has drawn renewed criticism over Black's past ties to Epstein — particularly as he seeks control of a media institution traditionally associated with moral conservatism.Across the Atlantic, former Labour heavyweight Peter Mandelson has been ousted from his ambassadorial role after emails emerged showing him describing Epstein as a “good friend” and advocating for his early release even after the financier's sex crime conviction. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who initially defended Mandelson, reversed course swiftly once the correspondence became public, declaring the longtime political operator would have “no future role” in government. The episode has underscored the enduring reputational risks tied to Epstein's network, years after his death, and how proximity to his name continues to derail public careers.Meanwhile, journalist and author Michael Wolff has resurfaced with claims that Epstein's “ghost” still haunts former president Donald Trump — a relationship both men have publicly minimized. Wolff's insinuations, based largely on anecdotal accounts and suggestive sourcing, have been met with skepticism, yet continue to generate headlines in a political environment where scandal and spectacle often overshadow substance. Collectively, the stories of Black, Mandelson, and Trump — filtered through a media ecosystem eager for intrigue — illustrate how Epstein's legacy remains an open wound in elite circles, where power, money, and image intersect in a never-ending struggle between denial and exposure.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Epstein Chronicles
Mega Edition: Leon Black And His "Rap" Performance (10/9/25)

The Epstein Chronicles

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 35:41 Transcription Available


Leon Black's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein spanned decades and has been a source of sustained scandal. Black, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, paid Epstein at least $158 million (and recent investigations suggest as much as $170 million) between 2012 and 2017 for tax, estate planning, and art-collection services. Black has acknowledged that working with Epstein was a “horrible mistake” and said he deeply regrets their association. Nonetheless, his payments and closeness to Epstein have invited intense scrutiny about what Black knew — or should have known — about Epstein's criminal network. Meanwhile, congressional and regulatory probes have sought to uncover the full extent of their financial entanglements and whether Black's use of Epstein's services was beyond mere professional consults.In addition to the financial scandal, Black's ties to Epstein have been tangled with serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Multiple lawsuits accuse Black of rape, including claims that in 2002, when introduced by Epstein, he assaulted a 16-year-old autistic girl in Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. One prominent lawsuit filed by Cheri Pierson accused Black of attacking her in Epstein's home; that lawsuit was later dismissed. Black has denied all criminal wrongdoing, asserting consensual relationships and rejecting claims against him as false. These overlapping allegations and financial links with Epstein have undermined Black's reputation, led to his resignation as MoMA board chair and Apollo executive, and triggered ongoing legal and reputational battles.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmaill.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Business Pants
War on women, bro-co-CEOs, fake CEO retirement, and boards say vote them out

Business Pants

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 62:44


Story of the Week (DR):War against women continues: Uber Not Responsible for Sex Assault, Jury Finds, as More Cases FollowEthan P. Schulman, the judge presiding over the California state court cases, told jurors that Uber would be responsible for the woman's harm if the company was negligent in using adequate safety measures and the negligence was a “substantial factor” in causing the harm.In its decision, the jury unanimously agreed that Uber had been negligent in its general safety practices when the incident occurred in 2016 — but that the negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the attack. The jury's foreman: “We felt that they could have done more back in the early days of Uber, rather than just focusing on growth,”Meet Lisa Monaco, the 57-year-old Microsoft executive Trump wants fired“Corrupt and Totally Trump Deranged Lisa Monaco (A purported pawn of Legal Lightweight Andrew Weissmann), was a senior National Security aide under Barack Hussein Obama. Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco's having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand.”Monaco helped coordinate the Justice Department's response to the Jan. 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters in 2021. In January 2022, Monaco publicly announced that the Justice Department was investigating the Trump fake electors plotMilitary women fear losing 'every bit of ground' as Hegseth looks backward to the 1990sDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that he wants to review Defense Department standards that have changed since the 1990s, a time when military women saw far less support for their service and met drastically lower physical standards than today: "The 1990s test is simple. What were the military standards in 1990? And if they have changed, tell me why. Was it necessary change based on the evolving landscape of combat? Or was the change due to a softening, weakening, or gender-based pursuit of other priorities? 1990s seems to be as good a place to start as any."PGA of America CEO apologizes for Ryder Cup missteps, but group's president denies problemThe Misogynistic Abuse Towards Rory McIlroy's Wife at the Ryder Cup Is Deeper Than Golf. It shows a cultural shift, one in which men feel emboldened to attack women in public without shame or consequence. The abuse and taunts were so unrelenting that Stoll was spotted with “tears streaming down her face”PGA of America President Don Rea took a different approach on Sunday in a BBC interview where he downplayed the severity of the crowd's behavior: “Well, you have 50,000 people there that are really excited, and heck, you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things,” Rea said. When asked about the abuse directed at McIlroy, he responded, “I haven't heard some of that. I'm sure it's happened … Rory understands things like that are going to happen.”Fake billionaire manbaby “retirements” continue DRSpotify CEO Daniel Ek to Step Down. The Stock Is Falling.Spotify founder steps down amid controversy over defence linksIt comes after Mr Ek has faced fierce scrutiny for investing around €700m (£612m) in defence company Helsing through his venture capital fund. Munich-based Helsing sells AI software for military use and has expanded into weapons manufacturing following an investment by the founder of Spotify.Spotify has said that it is “totally separate” from HelsingSpotify founder Ek Daniel to step down as CEO; says: I will be more involved than a typical US chairmanGustav Söderström and Alex Norström under founder/former CEO/Executive Chair Daniel Ek (43%) (Ted Sarandos on this board)Spotify founder Daniel Ek once said he was the ‘least powerful person' at the company. Here's how he built it into a $145 billion music empireThe rise of the bro co-CEO: Lila MacLellanCEOs and Trump love affair continuesTrump, Pfizer agree to lower U.S. drug prices, exempt company from pharma tariffsTrump announces 'TrumpRx' drug-buying website alongside Pfizer CEOPartnering with Pfizer, beginning in 2026 the federal government will have a website, TrumpRx.gov, through which Pfizer's prescription drugs can be sold directly to consumers at discounts, without the intermediaries of pharmacy benefit managers such as CVS Health's Caremark and UnitedHealthcare-owned OptumRx46% against Say on Pay in 2025Proxy adviser ISS recommended against the compensation proposalCEO/Chair Albert BourlaOther board members include: former Vanguard CEO/Chair Mortimer J. Buckley, OpenAI (2024-) board member and former Meta (2013-2019) board member Susan Desmond-Hellmann; former Deloitte CEO Joseph J. Echevarria; Adobe CEO/Chair Shantanu Narayen; former Goldman Sachs Vice Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson; Coca-Cola CEO/Chair James Quincey; former State Street Global Advisor CEO Cyrus Taraporevala; Compensation Committee chair (James Smith, former Thomson Reuters CEO) received 93% supportOnly 23% women; 5 top NEOs all menTrump Adviser Admits Larry Ellison Is “Shadow President of the United States” Larry Ellison once predicted ‘citizens will be on their best behavior' amid constant recording. Now his company will pay a key role in social mediaElon Musk fighting for attention:Elon Musk speaks out on controversial $1 trillion Tesla pay package: 'It's not about compensation'"It's not about 'compensation,' but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots.”Elon Musk makes history as first person ever to hit $500B net worth milestoneNew Evidence Links Elon Musk to Epstein's IslandElon Musk Calls Wikipedia “Too Woke,” Announces His Own GrokipediaElon Musk implores people "Cancel Netflix" over a canceled TV show because of wokeMore Dummies from DealBook:Talking A.I. With CEO William Stone of SS&C, a major investment fund administrator and transfer agency, acquired the automation software company Blue Prism for around $1.6 billion in 2022:How do you personally use A.I.? “I'm interested in horse racing, and I own horses. I use A.I. to track how they're doing. There are all kinds of statistics, like how far can they travel before their performance starts to deteriorate: If they're in Kentucky, can they go to California? Can they go to New York?”Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Gavin Newson [sic] Signs Law Cracking Down on AI IndustryCalifornia governor Gavin Newsom signed what proponents say is the first AI safety and transparency law in the US. The Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, also known as SB 53, requires AI companies with over $500 million in revenue to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols in fairly granular detailMM: F.D.A. Approves a New Generic Abortion Pill DR MMMM: Activist Investor Wants Target's Brian Cornell Completely OutMM: One line from this story about Tesla's advising sleepy drivers to stay away by enabling Full Self Driving: Tesla's cars can't actually drive themselves without close human supervision. Nonetheless, the automaker labels its most advanced driving mode “Full Self-Driving” (FSD), while its CEO and chief overpromiser Elon Musk explicitly says that they do, in fact, “drive themselves” seemingly every other week.Assholiest of the Week Biggest Loser (MM):US WomenThe rise of the bro-co-CEOMilitary women fear losing 'every bit of ground' as Hegseth looks backward to the 1990sUber Not Responsible for Sex Assault, Jury Finds, as More Cases FollowKKR Appoints Former Eaton CEO Craig Arnold to Board of Directors, Increasing Independent Seats to ElevenContinues a trend - from 29% to 26% female by adding another dude through board expansionMeanwhile…Share of female execs at major Japan firms rises to 18.4%Spineless companiesDisney's image tanks among Republicans, Democrats after Jimmy Kimmel controversyCracker Barrel Drops Firm Behind Ill-Fated Logo ChangeInvestorsU.S. States are shedding shareholder protections. That's an advantage for CanadaPreparing the board for 2026: More than half of directors want a peer replaced, survey findsFedEx shareholders elect Richard Smith, son of founder Fred Smith, to board of directorsEveryone elseGodfather of AI Says We're Barreling Straight Toward Human ExtinctionOpenAI says it's worried about ‘doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and … sloptimized feeds' as it rolls out Sora social media appMeta won't allow users to opt out of targeted ads based on AI chatsElon Musk Calls Wikipedia “Too Woke,” Announces His Own GrokipediaLarry Ellison once predicted ‘citizens will be on their best behavior' amid constant recording. Now his company will pay a key role in social mediaThe wealth of the top 1% reaches a record $52 trillionThe climateNew BP Chair Urges Faster Pivot to Oil and GasDuke Energy backs off renewables after North Carolina cuts climate goalTrump administration cancels nearly $8 billion in climate funding to blue states: VoughtMAGA comes for the ‘woke pope' after pontiff blesses block of ice in climate change gestureOpenAI's New Data Centers Will Draw More Power Than the Entirety of New York City, Sam Altman SaysHeadliniest of the WeekDR: New Poll: 94% of Gen Z Youth Report Experiencing Regular Mental Health ChallengesMM: Police Pull Over Waymo to Check for Drunk DrivingWho Won the Week?DR: Daniel Ek: the dude who got rich by devaluing artists, then used his billionaire ego to create a vanity money-spending company with the pretentious name Prima Materia (“formless primeval substance regarded as the original material of the universe”).Prima Materia says it wants to “partner with exceptional people to build companies that leverage technology to help solve meaningful problems for society.”He set it up with Shakil Khan — a fellow Spotify investor and close personal friend with a criminal past, who was accused of hiding his real role at Spotify during its IPO.Khan doesn't appear in any of Spotify's filing documents, even though he's been publicly described as: 1) “head of special projects,” 2) “advisor to Daniel Ek,” 3) “personal advisor to the Spotify CEO,” 4) “investor in Spotify,” 5) “founder,” 6) “consigliere,” 7) “second-in-command,” and 8) “prominent public role” — apparently to avoid scaring investors.Khan cites Mark Zuckerberg as the American leader he admires most.Now their company invests (and Ek chairs) in literal weapon building (Helsing/military strike drones, etc.) and nonsense like Neko Health, the so-called “Apple of healthcare” that charges £300 for preventative screenings like mole checks — giving Daniel Ek more time to feel super important and potentially destroy the world while getting richer?MM: Ron Sugar, who TWICE has had his age limit restriction waived on the Apple board, will turn out a-okay: Dr. Ronald Sugar and Gilman Louie join Ursa Major's Board of DirectorsPredictionsDR: Daniel Ek's Prima Materia leads €600 million Series D strategic financing round for Moodify, an AI-supported app that will “end depression” by pushing algorithmically-optimized dopamine ads 24/7, think TikTok for sadnessMM: LAY UP: After reading this - Apollo Global Management director Pauline Richards resigns from board - the board is now 4 women and 10 men (Marc Rowan owns 63% of board influence, so no one really matters). I predict Pauline Richards will be replaced by a male director, going from 33% female to 27% female in one fell swoop. Side note: Apollo's fun joke was to have a “sustainability committee” on the board they take so seriously, it's the committee with 3 women and and anti-woke anti-ESG ex-Senator Patrick Toomey