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The Capitol Forum Podcast

The Capitol Forum

Exploring Solutions to Monopoly Problems

Following forty years of laissez-faire antitrust enforcement and industry consolidation, the White House is considering a fundamental rethink of how to interpret, enforce, and rewrite antitrust law, and many questions remain unanswered for the antitrust community. 

On the heels of federal and state litigation against Google and Facebook, is Amazon next? Will the new administration put big agriculture, big banks, and big pharma in its crosshairs? Will the courts stop antitrust enforcers in their tracks? Will the Biden administration get cold feet?

The Capitol Forum Podcast provides in-depth discussions with antitrust experts about the answers to these questions and about proposed solutions to the biggest monopoly problems of our time. Backed by the investigative resources and intellectual rigor of The Capitol Forum, Executive Editor and host Teddy Downey examines the effects of the current concentrations of market power across a vast array of industry verticals as he and his guests analyze the potential responses from the federal government. Offering thoughtful conversations with analysts and decision makers, The Capitol Forum Podcast provides everyone from C-Suite executives to policymakers, and all those in-between, strategic antitrust insights at the intersection of law, policy, and markets.

© 2025 The Capitol Forum

Exploring Solutions to Monopoly Problems

Following forty years of laissez-faire antitrust enforcement and industry consolidation, the White House is considering a fundamental rethink of how to interpret, enforce, and rewrite antitrust law, and many questions remain unanswered for the antitrust community. 

On the heels of federal and state litigation against Google and Facebook, is Amazon next? Will the new administration put big agriculture, big banks, and big pharma in its crosshairs? Will the courts stop antitrust enforcers in their tracks? Will the Biden administration get cold feet?

The Capitol Forum Podcast provides in-depth discussions with antitrust experts about the answers to these questions and about proposed solutions to the biggest monopoly problems of our time. Backed by the investigative resources and intellectual rigor of The Capitol Forum, Executive Editor and host Teddy Downey examines the effects of the current concentrations of market power across a vast array of industry verticals as he and his guests analyze the potential responses from the federal government. Offering thoughtful conversations with analysts and decision makers, The Capitol Forum Podcast provides everyone from C-Suite executives to policymakers, and all those in-between, strategic antitrust insights at the intersection of law, policy, and markets.

© 2025 The Capitol Forum
101hr 20min
Thumbnail for "The Memory Chip Cartel (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "A.I.'s Least Informed Users Think It's Magic (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "The Quiet Crisis Inside Your Insurance Policy (TCF Investigates)".
Thumbnail for "Corruption Enforcement Under Trump 2.0 (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "Can This Bank Account Help You Buy a House? (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "The Ticketmaster Lawsuit That Could've Been (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "Warner Bros. and the 2026 Antitrust Outlook with Seth Bloom (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "The DOJ's Ambiguous Proposed Settlement with RealPage (Second Request)".
Thumbnail for "Xponential Fitness' Predatory Franchise Fiasco (TCF Investigates)".
Thumbnail for "Will Roblox Survive its Day in Court? (TCF Investigates)".
Will Roblox Survive its Day in Court? (TCF Investigates)
Thumbnail for "Airlines Know More About You Than You Think (TCF Investigates)".
Airlines Know More About You Than You Think (TCF Investigates)
Thumbnail for "The Case Against AirBnb (Second Request)".
The Case Against AirBnb (Second Request)
Thumbnail for "How Financial Institutions Became Tools of U.S. Foreign Policy (Second Request)".
How Financial Institutions Became Tools of U.S. Foreign Policy (Second Request)
Thumbnail for "How Amazon is Capturing Local Government Procurement (Second Request)".
How Amazon is Capturing Local Government Procurement (Second Request)
Thumbnail for "Zynex Fought The Capitol Forum and Ended Up Bankrupt (TCF Investigates)".
Zynex Fought The Capitol Forum and Ended Up Bankrupt (TCF Investigates)
Thumbnail for "American Electricity's Antitrust Dilemma".
American Electricity's Antitrust Dilemma
Thumbnail for "“Capital Crunch” and the U.S. Housing Supply Crisis (with Laurel Kilgour)".
“Capital Crunch” and the U.S. Housing Supply Crisis (with Laurel Kilgour)
Thumbnail for "How the Meta Decision Changes Antitrust Enforcement".
How the Meta Decision Changes Antitrust Enforcement
Thumbnail for "Building the Bottlenecks: The Impact of Homebuilder Consolidation (with Steven Xiao and Zheng Liu)".
Building the Bottlenecks: The Impact of Homebuilder Consolidation (with Steven Xiao and Zheng Liu)
Thumbnail for "How the Soybean Became a Geopolitical Weapon".
How the Soybean Became a Geopolitical Weapon
Thumbnail for "Is Roblox Safe for Kids?".
Is Roblox Safe for Kids?
Thumbnail for "The Future of Antitrust Enforcement: A Conversation with Michael Kades & Adam Gitlin".
The Future of Antitrust Enforcement: A Conversation with Michael Kades & Adam Gitlin
Thumbnail for "Lower Artificial Intelligence Literacy Predicts Greater AI Receptivity with Chiara Longoni".
Lower Artificial Intelligence Literacy Predicts Greater AI Receptivity with Chiara Longoni
Thumbnail for "“Mars/Kellanova: EC Leaning Towards Clearing Deal, Sources Say” with Javier Espinoza".
In this episode, Europe Executive Editor Javier Espinoza sits down with Senior Editor Jeff Bliss to discuss his reporting on the European Commission's review of the proposed $36 billion merger between Mars and Kellanova.
Thumbnail for "The Antitrust Case Against AI Overviews with Madhavi Singh".
The Antitrust Case Against AI Overviews with Madhavi Singh
Thumbnail for "Presidential Tariffs and Executive Power: Legal Challenges to the IEEPA Tariffs".
Presidential Tariffs and Executive Power: Legal Challenges to the IEEPA Tariffs
Thumbnail for "U.S. v. Google Remedies with John Newman".
In this conversation, Professor John Newman, from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, former FTC official and DOJ antitrust trial attorney, shares insights on Judge Amit Mehta’s decision, the specific measures imposed on Google, and what it signals for the future of Big Tech regulation.
Thumbnail for "Price Discrimination Laws—the Dormant Half of Our Antitrust Laws that Can Save Our Economy".
Price Discrimination Laws—the Dormant Half of Our Antitrust Laws that Can Save Our Economy
Thumbnail for "How Courts Interpret Copyright in the Age of AI".
How Courts Interpret Copyright in the Age of AI
Thumbnail for "Steris/Synergy a Decade Out: A Retrospective Assessment".
Steris/Synergy a Decade Out: A Retrospective Assessment
Thumbnail for "Trump’s Trade Letters and the August 1st Deadline".
Trump’s Trade Letters and the August 1st Deadline
Thumbnail for "Patenting and Pricing Eliquis, Ozempic, and Other Medicare-Targeted Drugs".
Patenting and Pricing Eliquis, Ozempic, and Other Medicare-Targeted Drugs
Thumbnail for "Proposed Breakups of Live Nation/Ticketmaster with Tommy Dorfman".
Proposed Breakups of Live Nation/Ticketmaster with Tommy Dorfman
Thumbnail for "Google’s Role in Digital Advertising with Ari Paparo".
Google’s Role in Digital Advertising with Ari Paparo
Thumbnail for "Promoting AI Innovation Through Competition".
Promoting AI Innovation Through Competition
Thumbnail for "Who’s Really Shaping RFK Jr.’s Health Agenda? Inside the Maha Influencers".
Who’s Really Shaping RFK Jr.’s Health Agenda? Inside the Maha Influencers
Thumbnail for "Textiles, Trade & National Security: A Conversation with Parkdale Mills COO Davis Warlick".
Textiles, Trade & National Security: A Conversation with Parkdale Mills COO Davis Warlick
Thumbnail for "What Abundance Gets Wrong".
What Abundance Gets Wrong
Thumbnail for "The Hidden Monopoly: How Healthcare Platforms Threaten Competition".
The Hidden Monopoly: How Healthcare Platforms Threaten Competition
Thumbnail for "Doha Mekki on Labor, Mergers, Monopolies and the New Antitrust Agenda".
Doha Mekki on Labor, Mergers, Monopolies and the New Antitrust Agenda
Thumbnail for "Hannah Garden-Monheit, Max Berengaut and Jonathan Kanter on Price Fixing, Algorithms, Antitrust, and Rising Prices".
Hannah Garden-Monheit, Max Berengaut and Jonathan Kanter on Price Fixing, Algorithms, Antitrust, and Rising Prices
Thumbnail for "Rebecca Slaughter, Katherine Tai and Jonathan Kanter on Getting Fired, Trade, and the Rule of Law".
Rebecca Slaughter, Katherine Tai and Jonathan Kanter on Getting Fired, Trade, and the Rule of Law
Thumbnail for "Jonathan Kanter & Rethinking Antitrust for the Modern Economy".
Jonathan Kanter & Rethinking Antitrust for the Modern Economy
Thumbnail for "Investor-Owned Utilities’ Excess Rates of Return with Mark Ellis".
Investor-Owned Utilities’ Excess Rates of Return with Mark Ellis
Thumbnail for "Outlook for Congressional Competition Policy and Antitrust Enforcement During the Trump Administration with Slade Bond".
Outlook for Congressional Competition Policy and Antitrust Enforcement During the Trump Administration with Slade Bond
Thumbnail for "UnitedHealth Group’s Vertical Consolidation with Hayden Rooke-Ley".
UnitedHealth Group’s Vertical Consolidation with Hayden Rooke-Ley
Thumbnail for "Fair and Competitive Markets at the U.S. Department of Agriculture with Andy Green".
Fair and Competitive Markets at the U.S. Department of Agriculture with Andy Green
Thumbnail for "2025 Congressional Antitrust Outlook with Seth Bloom".
2025 Congressional Antitrust Outlook with Seth Bloom
Thumbnail for "Vestager Pushes Back Against Calls to Ease EU Merger Rules".
Vestager Pushes Back Against Calls to Ease EU Merger Rules
Thumbnail for "Importance of the DOJ Live Nation Suit to Independent Venues with Stephen Parker".
Importance of the DOJ Live Nation Suit to Independent Venues with Stephen Parker
Thumbnail for "Mark Wetjen on Crypto Legislation in the Trump Administration".
Mark Wetjen on Crypto Legislation in the Trump Administration
Thumbnail for "Ambassador Katherine Tai on U.S. Trade Policy in the Biden Administration".
Ambassador Katherine Tai on U.S. Trade Policy in the Biden Administration
Thumbnail for "Talking Big Tech, Antitrust, and Refusals to Deal with Daniel Hanley".
Daniel Hanley, Senior Legal Analyst at the Open Markets Institute, discusses his recent paper "Illuminating the Anti-Coercion Foundations of Refusals to Deal" and its implications.
Thumbnail for "Market Concentration in Food & Agriculture with Sarah Carden and Basel Musharbash".
Market Concentration in Food & Agriculture with Sarah Carden and Basel Musharbash
Thumbnail for "The Hidden Costs of Electric Utility Monopoly Power with John Farrell".
The Hidden Costs of Electric Utility Monopoly Power with John Farrell
Thumbnail for "The Recent NAR Settlement and the Future of Residential Real Estate".
The Recent NAR Settlement and the Future of Residential Real Estate
Thumbnail for "Antitrust Economics at a Time of Upheaval".
Antitrust Economics at a Time of Upheaval
Thumbnail for "Jason Kint on the US vs. Google Antitrust Trial".
CEO of Digital Content Next, Jason Kint, offers his analysis of the recently concluded Google trial proceedings. As one of the foremost authorities on digital media and tech policy, Jason offers invaluable insights into the implications and potential outcomes of this landmark case.   
Thumbnail for "The Re-Monopolization of the U.S. Sports Trading Card Industry".
The Re-Monopolization of the U.S. Sports Trading Card Industry
Thumbnail for "Capital One/Discover: A Competition Policy and Regulatory Deep Dive".
Capital One/Discover: A Competition Policy and Regulatory Deep Dive
Thumbnail for "Antitrust Enforcement - Past, Present, & Future with Bill Baer".
Antitrust Enforcement - Past, Present, & Future with Bill Baer
Thumbnail for "Exploring Shifts in the Global Antitrust Landscape with Cristina Caffarra".
Exploring Shifts in the Global Antitrust Landscape with Cristina Caffarra
Thumbnail for "John Newman on Antitrust, AI and Current FTC Cases".
John Newman on Antitrust, AI and Current FTC Cases
Thumbnail for "2024 Presidential Election Outlook with Michael Podhorzer".
2024 Presidential Election Outlook with Michael Podhorzer
Thumbnail for "How Hackers Dox Doctors to Order Mountains of Oxy and Adderall".
How Hackers Dox Doctors to Order Mountains of Oxy and Adderall
Thumbnail for "White House Competition Priorities: A Conversation with Bharat Ramamurti".
White House Competition Priorities: A Conversation with Bharat Ramamurti
Thumbnail for "A Discussion with Clean Virginia’s Brennan Gilmore".
A Discussion with Clean Virginia’s Brennan Gilmore
Thumbnail for "Unpacking the Litigation Against the National Association of Realtors with Real Estate Executive Jack Ryan and Antitrust Attorney Darren McCarty".
Jack Ryan, cofounder and CEO of the real estate brokerage REX, and Darren McCarty, lead lawyer in the current antitrust litigation for REX, discuss the recent litigation against the National Association of Realtors and what it means for the future of residential real estate.  
Thumbnail for "A Deep Dive into the Google Trial and Tech Landscape with Seth Bloom".
A Deep Dive into the Google Trial and Tech Landscape with Seth Bloom
Thumbnail for "Kevin Erickson on Live Nation Entertainment".
Kevin Erickson on Live Nation Entertainment
Thumbnail for "Untapped Government Policy Options for Getting Cheaper Generics to Market with Dr. Michael J. Birrer".
Untapped Government Policy Options for Getting Cheaper Generics to Market with Dr. Michael J. Birrer
Thumbnail for "Venture Predation: How Venture-Backed Startups Use Predatory Pricing to Suppress Competition".
Venture Predation: How Venture-Backed Startups Use Predatory Pricing to Suppress Competition
Thumbnail for "A Discussion with Shaoul Sussman on the DOJ and FTC’s New Merger Guidelines".
A Discussion with Shaoul Sussman on the DOJ and FTC’s New Merger Guidelines
Thumbnail for "Diana Moss to Swifties: This is How to Break Up Ticketmaster/Livenation".
Diana Moss to Swifties: This is How to Break Up Ticketmaster/Livenation
Thumbnail for "The Rise of Textualism in Antitrust Enforcement: A Conversation with Bob Lande".
The Rise of Textualism in Antitrust Enforcement: A Conversation with Bob Lande
Thumbnail for "California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Antitrust Priorities".
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Antitrust Priorities
Thumbnail for "The Real Reason Your Groceries Are Getting More Expensive with Stacy Mitchell".
The Real Reason Your Groceries Are Getting More Expensive with Stacy Mitchell
Thumbnail for "FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya Argues for Robinson-Patman Act Revitalization".
FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya Argues for Robinson-Patman Act Revitalization
Thumbnail for "Alleged Anticompetitive Conduct by Drug Wholesalers with Luke Slindee".
Alleged Anticompetitive Conduct by Drug Wholesalers with Luke Slindee
Thumbnail for "Philip Mattera on Pay for Delay".
Philip Mattera on Pay for Delay
Thumbnail for "Structural Presumption for Merger Review with Tommaso Valletti".
Structural Presumption for Merger Review with Tommaso Valletti
Thumbnail for "The Coming Antitrust Wars in the Alcohol Market, with Harry Schuhmacher".
The Coming Antitrust Wars in the Alcohol Market, with Harry Schuhmacher
Thumbnail for "Spotting Anticompetitive Conduct in Pharma Supply Chain, with Antonio Ciaccia".
Spotting Anticompetitive Conduct in Pharma Supply Chain, with Antonio Ciaccia
Thumbnail for "United Healthcare's Culture and Coverage Denial Crisis, with David Armstrong and Patrick Rucker".
United Healthcare's Culture and Coverage Denial Crisis, with David Armstrong and Patrick Rucker
Thumbnail for "Analyzing the FTC's Ban on Noncompete Agreements with Sandeep Vaheesan".
Analyzing the FTC's Ban on Noncompete Agreements with Sandeep Vaheesan
Thumbnail for "FTC’s Elizabeth Wilkins Discusses Proposed Ban on Non-Compete Agreements".
FTC’s Elizabeth Wilkins Discusses Proposed Ban on Non-Compete Agreements
Thumbnail for "Chokepoint Capitalism with Author Cory Doctorow".
Chokepoint Capitalism with Author Cory Doctorow
Thumbnail for "FTC Chair Lina Khan Discusses Unfair Methods of Competition".
FTC Chair Lina Khan Discusses Unfair Methods of Competition
Thumbnail for "Microsoft/Activision with Xbox CEO Phil Spencer".
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer discusses competition in the video game market.
Thumbnail for "Fixing "Litigating the Fix" with Professor Steve Salop".
Fixing "Litigating the Fix" with Professor Steve Salop
Thumbnail for "The Hidden Monopoly Driving Up Rents".
Heather Vogell is a Propublica journalist currently investigating the  rental housing market.  Her recent article, “Rent Going Up? One Company’s Algorithm Could Be Why,” has resonated with citizens, antitrust enforcers, and policymakers across the country.
Thumbnail for "Taking on Monopoly Power in Search with Neeva CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy".
Neeva is an ads-free search engine that Sridhar co-founded after overseeing advertising at Google.  We discuss big tech, competition policy, and how his views on data have shifted since creating Neeva.
Thumbnail for "A Hidden Monopoly in Appalachia Driving Up Energy Prices".
Daniel Sherwood, Energy Team Editor at the Capitol Forum, and his colleague Sharon Kelly discuss their investigation into the Natural Gas Liquids market, where they found indications that dominant producers in Appalachia are encouraging each other to keep prices high by producing less.
Thumbnail for "CVS and Signify: Value-Based Care or Risk Score Gaming?".
Lisa Epstein and Vikas Kumar from the Capitol Forum’s corporate investigations team discuss their reporting on the aggressive marketing tactics and sales strategies of Signify Health on the eve of its proposed $8 Billion acquisition by CVS.
Thumbnail for "Dr. Cristina Caffarra on the State of Europe’s Antitrust Regulation and Enforcement".
Dr. Cristina Caffarra on the State of Europe’s Antitrust Regulation and Enforcement
Thumbnail for "The Weak Argument Jeopardizing Tech Antitrust Legislation with Gilad Edelman".
The Weak Argument Jeopardizing Tech Antitrust Legislation with Gilad Edelman
Thumbnail for "Beat Inflation by Tackling Market Power and Supply Chain Crisis, Says Niko Lusiani".
Beat Inflation by Tackling Market Power and Supply Chain Crisis, Says Niko Lusiani
Thumbnail for "Bust Up Pharmaceutical Middlemen, Says Representative Buddy Carter".
Bust Up Pharmaceutical Middlemen, Says Representative Buddy Carter
Thumbnail for "The Baby Formula Monopoly with Moe Tkacik".
Moe Tkacik is a Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project.  She’s a former journalist who has worked for the Wall Street Journal and Time, and she discusses the supply chain crisis behind the Baby Formula shortage and possible solutions to the problem. 
Thumbnail for "Solving Data-opoly Problems with Maurice Stucke".
Solving Data-opoly Problems with Maurice Stucke
Thumbnail for "Stop Bank Mergers to Help Rural America, Says Basel Musharbash".
Stop Bank Mergers to Help Rural America, Says Basel Musharbash
Thumbnail for "Private Equity is Killing the American Economy, with Josh Kosman".
Private Equity is Killing the American Economy, with Josh Kosman
Thumbnail for "Antitrust Super Influencers with Baron Public Affairs".
Antitrust Super Influencers with Baron Public Affairs
Thumbnail for "Block the Spirit/Frontier Airlines Merger Argues Shahid Naeem".
Shahid Naeem is a policy analyst at the American Economic Liberties Project and the author of a memo calling for the Department of Justice and Department of Transportation to block the merger between Spirit and Frontier.  
Thumbnail for "Fixing Pharma With Tahir Amin".
Tahir Amin is an attorney with more than 25 years of experience in intellectual property law and the co-founder of I-Mak, which seeks to build a more just and equitable medicine system for all via patent reform.
Thumbnail for "Big Tech Litigation Outlook, with Jason Kint".
Big Tech Litigation Outlook, with Jason Kint
Thumbnail for "Amazon Vs. The U.S. Postal Service, a Ted Tatos Talk".
Amazon Vs. The U.S. Postal Service, a Ted Tatos Talk
Thumbnail for "Matthew Buck Explains How America’s Supply Chains Got Railroaded".
Matthew Buck Explains How America’s Supply Chains Got Railroaded
Thumbnail for "Jeff Horwitz on The Facebook Files".
Jeff Horwitz on The Facebook Files
Thumbnail for "Evan Starr on The Economic Benefits of Banning Non-competes".
Evan Starr, Associate Professor of Management & Organization at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, discusses the likely economic benefits of the FTC banning non-compete agreements, including a boost to wages and worker mobility.
Thumbnail for "Inflation, Monopoly, and Predictions for 2022 with Matt Stoller".
Matt Stoller, Director of Research at the American Economic Liberties Project, discusses the debate around monopoly and inflation.  Matt also shares his predictions for the antimonopoly movement in 2022.
Thumbnail for "Luke Herrine: FTC Should Reject the Conventional Folklore Around its Unfairness Authority".
Luke Herrine: FTC Should Reject the Conventional Folklore Around its Unfairness Authority
Thumbnail for "Amazon’s Toll Road with Stacy Mitchell, Co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance".
Amazon’s Toll Road with Stacy Mitchell, Co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Thumbnail for "Jeff Hauser: Cracking Down on Monopolies is Winning Politics".
Jeff Hauser: Cracking Down on Monopolies is Winning Politics
Thumbnail for "The “No Collusion” Rule by Brendan Ballou, DOJ Trial Attorney".
The “No Collusion” Rule by Brendan Ballou, DOJ Trial Attorney
Thumbnail for "Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Open Markets Institute".
Barry Lynn, Executive Director of the Open Markets Institute
Thumbnail for "The Honorable Bill Kovacic".
The Honorable Bill Kovacic gives his outlook for antitrust enforcement in the Biden administration and distinguishes between antitrust Transformationalists and Traditionalists and their struggle for influence. He also discusses antitrust rulemaking, antitrust legislation, and Robinson-Patman enforcement.
Thumbnail for "Claire Kelloway on Meat Industry Consolidation’s Impact on Workers and Citizens".
Claire Kelloway on Meat Industry Consolidation’s Impact on Workers and Citizens
Thumbnail for "Seth Bloom’s Outlook for Antitrust Legislation".
Seth Bloom’s Outlook for Antitrust Legislation
Thumbnail for "Ron Knox says, “Break up Big Music”".
Ron Knox says, “Break up Big Music”
Thumbnail for "The Honorable William Baer".
The Honorable William Baer
Thumbnail for "The Capitol Forum Podcast Trailer".
The Capitol Forum Podcast Trailer

The Memory Chip Cartel (Second Request)

Thumbnail for "The Memory Chip Cartel (Second Request)".
February 20, 20261hr 11min

Today on Second Request, Executive Editor Teddy Downey sits down with Sacha Sloan a senior correspondent at The Capitol Forum to discuss Sacha's recent reporting on potential collusion in the microchip sector. Together they discuss how coordinated production cuts, reduced capital expenditures, and public signaling by major NAND manufacturers are contributing to a sharp supply crunch and record price increases. 

To learn more about The Capitol Forum follow us on Bluesky and Linkedin.

Thumbnail for "The Memory Chip Cartel (Second Request)".
The Memory Chip Cartel (Second Request)
00:00
01:10:50