In a stunning new report, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is accused of amassing a vast network of strategic investments and political relationships, allowing him to exert significant control over artificial intelligence (AI) and public policy in Washington, D.C.
The Bull Moose Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating America First leaders and policies, conducted an extensive investigation into Schmidt’s financial disclosures, tax records, and business documents. The report, which was obtained by Fox News Digital, unveils the findings and highlights Schmidt’s puppet-master role in shaping the lives of the American public.
According to the report, Schmidt has constructed an empire akin to that of an oligarch, meticulously designed to influence public policy. During his tenure as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011 and later as the company’s chairman until 2015, Schmidt significantly expanded the company’s lobbying efforts. Google established a presence in Washington, D.C., and registered its first in-house federal lobbyists, transforming into one of the largest lobbying forces in the United States.
Although Schmidt himself was never registered as a lobbyist, the report asserts that he effectively altered government policies to favor his investments through the influential connections he cultivated via membership in various government commissions and boards.
One of Schmidt’s notable appointments was as chairman of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board from 2016 to 2020. He also chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), both of which play a crucial role in shaping U.S. policies related to AI, technology, and defense. Schmidt’s involvement in government commissions spans the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.
Speaking at an NSCAI event in 2021, Schmidt revealed that the commission’s staff not only formulated recommendations but also drafted legislation, thereby exerting a significant impact on policy. He further hinted at the commission’s involvement in classified annexes to national security bills, shedding light on their covert operations.
Despite the lack of evidence indicating any unlawful activities or ethics violations on Schmidt’s part during his commission chairmanship, government ethics advisers have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from his investments. Walter Shaub, a senior ethics fellow at the Project on Government Oversight and former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, criticized Schmidt’s investment activities, stating that while they may be technically legal, they are not ethically sound. The report also highlights Schmidt’s continued influence in the AI space through his philanthropic nonprofit Schmidt Futures, which played a central role in the hiring process of a key Defense Department official.
The Bull Moose Project’s research revealed that Schmidt played a pivotal role in multiple venture capital firms, including First Spark Ventures, which had a portfolio comprising biotech and biomedicine investments. Schmidt’s appointment to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology drew backlash due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The report expresses apprehension regarding the absence of adequate safeguards against such conflicts and the ability of commission members to shape federal policies that may benefit them financially.
The Bull Moose Project went beyond its report and created an interactive map showcasing over 400 connections Schmidt has across business, government, academia, and other domains. The map raises questions about the revolving door phenomenon, wherein former high-ranking government officials transition into positions as lobbyists, consultants, and strategists, influencing public policy. Schmidt’s spokesperson declined to provide a comment on the report, while a source close to him dismissed it as baseless. However, the report contends that Schmidt has successfully positioned himself as a Washington insider, wielding his relationships with current and former government officials to great effect.
Notably, Schmidt has maintained close ties with individuals currently serving in the government, including officials in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) under President Biden. Politico reported last year that Schmidt’s influence pervaded the OSTP, with more than a dozen officials associated with him. The report also raises ethical concerns regarding Schmidt Futures indirectly paying the salaries of OSTP staffers, given Schmidt’s overlapping financial interests and the office’s responsibilities. Schmidt Futures defended its actions, emphasizing the chronic underfunding of the OSTP and its longstanding participation in private-public partnerships.
The Bull Moose Project argues that Schmidt’s extensive network epitomizes a multifaceted conflict of interest. It accuses him of making large donations in exchange for political appointments, crafting self-serving policies that become law, leveraging government-issued reports to promote his business interests, and securing federal contracts through his influential connections. The report concludes that the pieces of the puzzle point to an undeniable picture of conflict of interest and corruption in Schmidt’s dealings.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
