Comment Section for Opinion | Ackman, Musk, Trump and How the Rich Convert Their Wealth Into Power - The New York Times

The webpage from The New York Times contains an opinion piece by William D. Cohan, exploring how billionaires like Bill Ackman, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump leverage their wealth to gain power and influence through social media. Cohan uses Ackman as an example of a billionaire using his social media presence to sway public opinion and advocate for institutional changes, such as the removal of certain university presidents. In the article, Cohan discusses how the wealthy are increasingly able to convert their financial capital into social capital, thus gaining societal power and influence. He attributes this to the theory of "preferential attachment," where the rich get richer, both financially and in terms of attention. Additionally, he highlights the unique ability of the wealthy to express their views without fear of major consequences, due to their financial security. Cohan criticizes this system, arguing that it creates a distorted version of free speech where only the ultra-wealthy can express themselves freely without fear of repercussions. This dynamic, he suggests, risks transforming free speech into a luxury only the wealthy can afford. He ends by cautioning against a world where people without significant wealth or influence cannot respond to these powerful figures without fear of significant reprisal.