BIG by Matt Stoller
@mattstoller.skystack.xyz
The history and politics of monopoly power.
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Discover more/Create at: @skystack.xyz
How Wall Street Ruined the Roomba and Then Blamed Lina Khan • This week's bankruptcy of iRobot, the maker of the Roomba vacuum, is about more than a robot cleaner. It's about monopolies, Wall Street, and economists leading America on a path of destruction.
How Wall Street Ruined the Roomba and Then Blamed Lina Khan
This week's bankruptcy of iRobot, the maker of the Roomba vacuum, is about more than a robot cleaner. It's about monopolies, Wall Street, and economists leading America on a path of destruction.
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
How Wall Street Ruined the Roomba and Then Blamed Lina Khan • This week's bankruptcy of iRobot, the maker of the Roomba vacuum, is about more than a robot cleaner. It's about monopolies, Wall Street, and economists leading America on a path of destruction.
Monopoly Round-Up: Trump Is About to Take Control of How Money in America Works • The Federal Reserve runs money and banks in America. Trump is about to take control. Plus, NASCAR settles and Warner Bros gets a hostile bid. And is a Ticketmaster antitrust settlement in the works?
Monopoly Round-Up: Trump Is About to Take Control of How Money in America Works
The Federal Reserve runs money and banks in America. Trump is about to take control. Plus, NASCAR settles and Warner Bros gets a hostile bid. And is a Ticketmaster antitrust settlement in the works?
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Monopoly Round-Up: Trump Is About to Take Control of How Money in America Works • The Federal Reserve runs money and banks in America. Trump is about to take control. Plus, NASCAR settles and Warner Bros gets a hostile bid. And is a Ticketmaster antitrust settlement in the works?
Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy • The Trump FTC tried to hide a complaint showing Pepsi forced shoppers to pay higher prices everywhere but Walmart. But now it's unsealed. And the politics of affordability are explosive.
Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy
The Trump FTC tried to hide a complaint showing Pepsi forced shoppers to pay higher prices everywhere but Walmart. But now it's unsealed. And the politics of affordability are explosive.
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Secret Documents Show Pepsi and Walmart Colluded to Raise Food Prices Across the Economy • The Trump FTC tried to hide a complaint showing Pepsi forced shoppers to pay higher prices everywhere but Walmart. But now it's unsealed. And the politics of affordability are explosive.
Even In a Populist Moment, Democrats Are Split on the Problem of Corporate Power • Democratic voters have turned against big business, but only the progressive faction of the party has listened. This distance between voters and leaders is unusual and can't go on forever. Or can it?
Even In a Populist Moment, Democrats Are Split on the Problem of Corporate Power
Democratic voters have turned against big business, but only the progressive faction of the party has listened. This distance between voters and leaders is unusual and can't go on forever. Or can it?
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Even In a Populist Moment, Democrats Are Split on the Problem of Corporate Power • Democratic voters have turned against big business, but only the progressive faction of the party has listened. This distance between voters and leaders is unusual and can't go on forever. Or can it?
Monopoly Round-Up: Netflix Prices Have Gone Up 125% Since 2014 • Today, Donald Trump said the Netflix-Warner merger "could be a problem." Does Netflix even want to close the deal? Plus, the NASCAR antitrust case continues, and cowboys are very mad at meatpackers.
Monopoly Round-Up: Netflix Prices Have Gone Up 125% Since 2014
Today, Donald Trump said the Netflix-Warner merger "could be a problem." Does Netflix even want to close the deal? Plus, the NASCAR antitrust case continues, and cowboys are very mad at meatpackers.
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Monopoly Round-Up: Netflix Prices Have Gone Up 125% Since 2014 • Today, Donald Trump said the Netflix-Warner merger "could be a problem." Does Netflix even want to close the deal? Plus, the NASCAR antitrust case continues, and cowboys are very mad at meatpackers.
Netflix Is Trying to Buy Warner Bros Discovery. That Would Be a Disaster for America. • Netflix won the bidding war to buy Discovery/Warner Brothers and consolidate Hollywood, but a Netflix-Warner merger looks illegal. It's likely to face meaningful political and antitrust hurdles.
Netflix Is Trying to Buy Warner Bros Discovery. That Would Be a Disaster for America.
Netflix won the bidding war to buy Discovery/Warner Brothers and consolidate Hollywood, but a Netflix-Warner merger looks illegal. It's likely to face meaningful political and antitrust hurdles.
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Netflix Is Trying to Buy Warner Bros Discovery. That Would Be a Disaster for America. • Netflix won the bidding war to buy Discovery/Warner Brothers and consolidate Hollywood, but a Netflix-Warner merger looks illegal. It's likely to face meaningful political and antitrust hurdles.
Monopoly Round-Up: Is the Era of Populist Antitrust Over? • It's been a year. Has Trump reverted antitrust back to its Obama and Bush framework? No. Plus, a portable toilet wipeout, and James Cameron goes at Netflix for trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
Monopoly Round-Up: Is the Era of Populist Antitrust Over?
It's been a year. Has Trump reverted antitrust back to its Obama and Bush framework? No. Plus, a portable toilet wipeout, and James Cameron goes at Netflix for trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
www.thebignewsletter.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Monopoly Round-Up: Is the Era of Populist Antitrust Over? • It's been a year. Has Trump reverted antitrust back to its Obama and Bush framework? No. Plus, a portable toilet wipeout, and James Cameron goes at Netflix for trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Rent Is Too Damn High: Did Trump Just 'Bless' Using AI to Jack Up Rents? • Trump Antitrust chief Gail Slater ended the DOJ's big antitrust case against alleged software rent-fixing conspirator RealPage. The company's lawyer says the DOJ has now 'blessed' their product.
The Rent Is Too Damn High: Did Trump Just 'Bless' Using AI to Jack Up Rents?
Trump Antitrust chief Gail Slater ended the DOJ's big antitrust case against alleged software rent-fixing conspirator RealPage. The company's lawyer says the DOJ has now 'blessed' their product.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:07 AM
The Rent Is Too Damn High: Did Trump Just 'Bless' Using AI to Jack Up Rents? • Trump Antitrust chief Gail Slater ended the DOJ's big antitrust case against alleged software rent-fixing conspirator RealPage. The company's lawyer says the DOJ has now 'blessed' their product.
Monopoly Round-Up: Why the Establishment Freaked Out Over a Mamdani-Trump Press Conference • Meta wins its antitrust case, there are now two fire truck antitrust claims, the stock market got wobbly, and Larry Summers was exiled from the establishment, at least for now.
Monopoly Round-Up: Why the Establishment Freaked Out Over a Mamdani-Trump Press Conference
Meta wins its antitrust case, there are now two fire truck antitrust claims, the stock market got wobbly, and Larry Summers was exiled from the establishment, at least for now.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Monopoly Round-Up: Why the Establishment Freaked Out Over a Mamdani-Trump Press Conference • Meta wins its antitrust case, there are now two fire truck antitrust claims, the stock market got wobbly, and Larry Summers was exiled from the establishment, at least for now.
Meta Wins Antitrust Case as Big Tech Moves from a Monopoly to a Macro-Economic Problem • Big tech is no longer an antitrust problem, it's a macro problem for our economy. And Judge James 'Jeb' Boasberg's decision that Meta is not a monopolist illustrates the political challenge we face.
Meta Wins Antitrust Case as Big Tech Moves from a Monopoly to a Macro-Economic Problem
Big tech is no longer an antitrust problem, it's a macro problem for our economy. And Judge James 'Jeb' Boasberg's decision that Meta is not a monopolist illustrates the political challenge we face.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Meta Wins Antitrust Case as Big Tech Moves from a Monopoly to a Macro-Economic Problem • Big tech is no longer an antitrust problem, it's a macro problem for our economy. And Judge James 'Jeb' Boasberg's decision that Meta is not a monopolist illustrates the political challenge we face.
Monopoly Round-Up: More Scary Economic Signs • Something's weird as AI-focused shadow bank Blue Owl runs into trouble, there are 'phantom data centers,' and the Fed sees volatility in money markets. Plus more Lina Khan derangement syndrome in NYC.
Monopoly Round-Up: More Scary Economic Signs
Something's weird as AI-focused shadow bank Blue Owl runs into trouble, there are 'phantom data centers,' and the Fed sees volatility in money markets. Plus more Lina Khan derangement syndrome in NYC.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: More Scary Economic Signs • Something's weird as AI-focused shadow bank Blue Owl runs into trouble, there are 'phantom data centers,' and the Fed sees volatility in money markets. Plus more Lina Khan derangement syndrome in NYC.
The Blast Radius of Jeff Epstein • Larry Summers controlled two Presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and organizes economists and oligarchs. Joe Biden talked to him all the time. And now he's in a serious scandal. Or is he?
The Blast Radius of Jeff Epstein
Larry Summers controlled two Presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and organizes economists and oligarchs. Joe Biden talked to him all the time. And now he's in a serious scandal. Or is he?
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The Blast Radius of Jeff Epstein • Larry Summers controlled two Presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and organizes economists and oligarchs. Joe Biden talked to him all the time. And now he's in a serious scandal. Or is he?
Monopoly Round-up: Voters Just Demanded an End to the Number Go Up Economy • Voters rejected Trump the same way they've rejected incumbents for 20 years. Enough with the bubbles! Plus, health care industry wins the gov't shutdown and Trump may lose tariff authority...
Monopoly Round-up: Voters Just Demanded an End to the Number Go Up Economy
Voters rejected Trump the same way they've rejected incumbents for 20 years. Enough with the bubbles! Plus, health care industry wins the gov't shutdown and Trump may lose tariff authority...
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-up: Voters Just Demanded an End to the Number Go Up Economy • Voters rejected Trump the same way they've rejected incumbents for 20 years. Enough with the bubbles! Plus, health care industry wins the gov't shutdown and Trump may lose tariff authority...
The Private Governments Who Will Resist Zohran Mamdani and Populism • Zohran Mamdani will be the mayor of New York City, and he's invited Lina Khan to help. For new leaders in NYC, Virginia, and NJ, delivering means going at the monopolies making it hard to govern.
The Private Governments Who Will Resist Zohran Mamdani and Populism
Zohran Mamdani will be the mayor of New York City, and he's invited Lina Khan to help. For new leaders in NYC, Virginia, and NJ, delivering means going at the monopolies making it hard to govern.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The Private Governments Who Will Resist Zohran Mamdani and Populism • Zohran Mamdani will be the mayor of New York City, and he's invited Lina Khan to help. For new leaders in NYC, Virginia, and NJ, delivering means going at the monopolies making it hard to govern.
Monopoly Round-Up: Voters May Be About to Terrify Corporate America • This week, voters will choose between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, and pick new leaders in Virginia and New Jersey. Plus, are big tech data centers all America does?
Monopoly Round-Up: Voters May Be About to Terrify Corporate America
This week, voters will choose between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, and pick new leaders in Virginia and New Jersey. Plus, are big tech data centers all America does?
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: Voters May Be About to Terrify Corporate America • This week, voters will choose between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, and pick new leaders in Virginia and New Jersey. Plus, are big tech data centers all America does?
Addiction Markets: Abolish Corporate-Run Gambling • Corporate gambling is economic coercion, a way to shift tax burdens away from the wealthy to the poor. It's been here since the 1970s, and now it's corrupting sports and young men. Abolish it.
Addiction Markets: Abolish Corporate-Run Gambling
Corporate gambling is economic coercion, a way to shift tax burdens away from the wealthy to the poor. It's been here since the 1970s, and now it's corrupting sports and young men. Abolish it.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Addiction Markets: Abolish Corporate-Run Gambling • Corporate gambling is economic coercion, a way to shift tax burdens away from the wealthy to the poor. It's been here since the 1970s, and now it's corrupting sports and young men. Abolish it.
Monopoly Round-Up: Obamacare Is Cooked. What's Next? • With big health insurance hikes coming, another health care crisis is here. Where's all the money going? And what comes now? Plus Argentina votes for the Trump bailout, Warner is for sale and more...
Monopoly Round-Up: Obamacare Is Cooked. What's Next?
With big health insurance hikes coming, another health care crisis is here. Where's all the money going? And what comes now? Plus Argentina votes for the Trump bailout, Warner is for sale and more...
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: Obamacare Is Cooked. What's Next? • With big health insurance hikes coming, another health care crisis is here. Where's all the money going? And what comes now? Plus Argentina votes for the Trump bailout, Warner is for sale and more...
Amazon Web Services Had a Very Bad Day, Amazon's Stock Price Did Not • The outage of Amazon Web Services caused hundreds of billions of damage, yet Amazon's stock went up. How do we account for all of that cost?
Amazon Web Services Had a Very Bad Day, Amazon's Stock Price Did Not
The outage of Amazon Web Services caused hundreds of billions of damage, yet Amazon's stock went up. How do we account for all of that cost?
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Amazon Web Services Had a Very Bad Day, Amazon's Stock Price Did Not • The outage of Amazon Web Services caused hundreds of billions of damage, yet Amazon's stock went up. How do we account for all of that cost?
Monopoly Round-Up: Does the Left Have Trouble with Making Things in America? • On the weekend of "No Kings," it's worth asking if the Democrats have anything to say about political economy. Also, airlines impose fees for reclining in seats, and California sells its own insulin.
Monopoly Round-Up: Does the Left Have Trouble with Making Things in America?
On the weekend of "No Kings," it's worth asking if the Democrats have anything to say about political economy. Also, airlines impose fees for reclining in seats, and California sells its own insulin.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: Does the Left Have Trouble with Making Things in America? • On the weekend of "No Kings," it's worth asking if the Democrats have anything to say about political economy. Also, airlines impose fees for reclining in seats, and California sells its own insulin.
China Forces Scott Bessent to Embrace Anti-Monopoly Tactics • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is now taking emergency action to address Chinese monopoly power. He won't admit it, but Lina Khan and the anti-monopoly movement were right.
China Forces Scott Bessent to Embrace Anti-Monopoly Tactics
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is now taking emergency action to address Chinese monopoly power. He won't admit it, but Lina Khan and the anti-monopoly movement were right.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
China Forces Scott Bessent to Embrace Anti-Monopoly Tactics • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is now taking emergency action to address Chinese monopoly power. He won't admit it, but Lina Khan and the anti-monopoly movement were right.
Monopoly Round-Up: Will the Trade War Pop the AI Bubble? • Tech monopolies have created an AI bubble that could take down the economy. China just threatened to pop it. What happens now? Plus, the Pope dons his anti-monopoly hat, and more.
Monopoly Round-Up: Will the Trade War Pop the AI Bubble?
Tech monopolies have created an AI bubble that could take down the economy. China just threatened to pop it. What happens now? Plus, the Pope dons his anti-monopoly hat, and more.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: Will the Trade War Pop the AI Bubble? • Tech monopolies have created an AI bubble that could take down the economy. China just threatened to pop it. What happens now? Plus, the Pope dons his anti-monopoly hat, and more.
How Obamacare and Trump Foster Economic Termites in Our Hospital System • 'Value-based care' from the ACA, combined with Trump's poor merger policy, is creating economic termites in all sorts of places. PE giant Silver Lake is engineering a monopoly in hospital surveys.
How Obamacare and Trump Foster Economic Termites in Our Hospital System
'Value-based care' from the ACA, combined with Trump's poor merger policy, is creating economic termites in all sorts of places. PE giant Silver Lake is engineering a monopoly in hospital surveys.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How Obamacare and Trump Foster Economic Termites in Our Hospital System • 'Value-based care' from the ACA, combined with Trump's poor merger policy, is creating economic termites in all sorts of places. PE giant Silver Lake is engineering a monopoly in hospital surveys.
How to Overturn an Oligarchy • We've had some real victories. The FTC is looking into fire truck monopolization, California passed a law against coercion machines, and lobbyists took a big loss last month. America is waking up.
How to Overturn an Oligarchy
We've had some real victories. The FTC is looking into fire truck monopolization, California passed a law against coercion machines, and lobbyists took a big loss last month. America is waking up.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How to Overturn an Oligarchy • We've had some real victories. The FTC is looking into fire truck monopolization, California passed a law against coercion machines, and lobbyists took a big loss last month. America is waking up.
Monopoly Round-Up: Soy Boy America • China refuses to buy U.S. soybeans, causing all sorts of problems. But why can't U.S. farmers grow something other than soybeans? Plus, gamers offer a big apology to Lina Khan, and more..
Monopoly Round-Up: Soy Boy America
China refuses to buy U.S. soybeans, causing all sorts of problems. But why can't U.S. farmers grow something other than soybeans? Plus, gamers offer a big apology to Lina Khan, and more..
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Monopoly Round-Up: Soy Boy America • China refuses to buy U.S. soybeans, causing all sorts of problems. But why can't U.S. farmers grow something other than soybeans? Plus, gamers offer a big apology to Lina Khan, and more..
Wall Street Gets to Keep Its Government Open • The Antitrust Division and FTC have suspended merger challenges, but not merger approvals. It's weird how 'government shutdowns' don't close the parts of government Wall Street wants.
Wall Street Gets to Keep Its Government Open
The Antitrust Division and FTC have suspended merger challenges, but not merger approvals. It's weird how 'government shutdowns' don't close the parts of government Wall Street wants.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Wall Street Gets to Keep Its Government Open • The Antitrust Division and FTC have suspended merger challenges, but not merger approvals. It's weird how 'government shutdowns' don't close the parts of government Wall Street wants.