The Metro

American politics has long had too many lobbyists and too much money fueling campaigns. But Donald Trump’s administration breaks records. The total net worth of billionaires involved with it amounts to over $382 billion, which is more than the GDP of 172 different countries.

Today on The Metro, we discussed how wealthy individuals are now influencing our politics, and how much of a change that is from past administrations.

Guests:

More stories from The Metro on Jan. 28, 2024:

Tomorrow’s question: Should the U.S. Government get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion?

Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app. 

Today on The Metro, we discuss a new approach Detroit Public Schools Community District is trying out to curb chronic absenteeism with American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Nat Malkus, Wayne State Professor Sarah Lenhoff, and 482 Forward Communications Lead Imani Foster. 

President Donald Trump signed more executive orders on his first day in office than any president before him, and today on The Metro, we dig into some of these executive orders and discuss the boundaries of presidential power with former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan and author Barbara McQuade. The Metro producer Sam Corey also spoke with Ryan Kelley, a former Republican candidate for governor of Michigan who was pardoned by Trump after serving two months in prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. 

Today on The Metro, we're joined by Michigan State University professor of information systems Anjana Susarla and Western Michigan University communications professor and creator of "Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!", Sue Ellen Christian, to talk about media literacy in the digital age and ways to fight the flow of misinformation on social media.

Today on The Metro, we take a look at the Supreme Court's Citizen United ruling that changed money in politics 15 years ago. The decision allowed more money to go into politics, but there's not much more accountability. Director of Elections and Government Programs at the Brennan Center for Justice Daniel Weiner and Bridge Michigan Reporter Simon Schuster join the show. 

Today on The Metro, we discussed what it would look like for our utilities to run entirely on renewable energy and how to bring the cost down for consumers. Professor of history at Virginia Tech Richard Hirsh joins the show to discuss what sparked the current structure of utility companies in America. We also talk to Managing Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute Mark Dyson and Legislative and Political Director of the Michigan Sierra Club Christy McGillivray about obstacles facing community-owned utilities and renewable energy expansion.  

The city of Detroit is overflowing with cultural riches — from Motown to techno, street art to Detroit jit, the city has no shortage of shiny cultural exports. So why hasn’t the rest of the country caught on to this? Today on The Metro, we speak with some of the city’s cultural pioneers and commentators — including WDET's own Ryan Patrick Hooper and Waajeed — about how Detroit can better market itself to the world. We also asked listeners: "What's your new slogan for Detroit?"

The social media platform TikTok could be banned in the U.S. as early as this week if the Supreme Court upholds a law requiring its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to cut ties with the platform by the Jan. 19 deadline set by Congress.

Today on The Metro, we dig into the free speech and national security concerns surrounding the issue with University of Cincinnati Professor Richard Harknett and Wayne State University Professor Elizabeth Stoycheff. 

The Detroit auto show has long been a harbinger of innovation within the auto industry, drawing as many as 800,000 visitors to the city in the past. But attendance has declined over the years, highlighting the changing dynamics automakers are facing in a post-COVID, largely digital-centric world. Today on The Metro, WDET's Alex McLenon and Jamie Butters of Automotive News join to discuss those changes.

Owning a home has been a symbol of achievement in this country for generations. It’s the most common way to accumulate wealth, but home prices surged during the pandemic and haven’t come down.

Today on The Metro, we speak with New York University professor Thomas Sugrue and Detroit Future City CEO Anika Goss about the Detroit housing market and why 60% of Americans believe homeownership doesn't offer the same return on investment it once did.