Big Pharma Swamps The Drain With MAGA Lobbyists

Today’s Lever story: Superyachts, luxury cars, mansions & wined-and-dined sheriffs — a legal war is exposing the big business of profiting off prisoners & taxpayers.  

👇 Spend four minutes reading this 996-word newsletter to learn about: 

• Who killed Southwest.
• How the makers of Ozempic are courting MAGA.
• Democrats’ chance to finally obstruct Trump’s agenda.
• How wealthy landowners are siphoning the nation’s flood insurance fund.

✈️ Southwest once bragged that “bags fly free” — not anymore. The airline just announced the end of its free checked bag policy amid pressure from infamous private equity investor Elliott Investment Management. Since Elliott’s 2024 investment in the airline, Southwest has upped ticket prices and — for the first time in 50 years — laid off staff. The company’s transformation reflects a consolidated industry with few competitive incentives to court customers with low prices or quality service. Meanwhile, airlines are generating more revenue than ever.

• In September, Southwest officials admitted that while the company could reap up to $1.5 billion in new checked bag fees, the move would likely result in a $1.8 billion loss of market share.