• ArbitraryValue
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    15 hours ago

    “Protection money” implies a significant expense. A million dollars is so little to a big tech company (and not that much to Trump) that this is more like a “Congratulations!” card with a Starbucks gift certificate inside. It’s as little as Altman can send without being insulting, but if the fact that he sent anything at all sways Trump even a little bit then the return on investment will be enormous.

    • ramsorge@discuss.online
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      14 hours ago

      It doesn’t imply a significant expense. My grandfather used to tell us a story of how he paid what was basically a mafia a monthly fee so his barber shop wouldn’t get broken into. I forgot the exact amount, but is was like $500/m or something.

      Trump also deals in these “small” transactions. Get a hundred of them and it adds up.

      • ArbitraryValue
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        14 hours ago

        I suppose this is just nitpicking, but I think $500 a month is a lot more to a barber than a million is to Altman.

        • ramsorge@discuss.online
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          14 hours ago

          I do agree with you. I guess maybe this is more like chips on a table? Like an ante, a bet?

          Either way I think we can both agree it’s shady

    • Rhaedas@fedia.io
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      14 hours ago

      It’s to keep their name off a list. The Revenge President is back with more power, so better at least pretend to be with him if you’re also powerful.