Trump's First 100 Days, FDA's Opioid Crisis Role & Stakeholder Capitalism Explored

On this episode of Wall Street Week, David Westin dives into several key stories:

Trump's First 100 Days (Again!): Larry Summers analyzes the economic impact of President Trump's first 100 days, noting a pattern of market "revulsion" against American assets. Barbara Perry provides historical context, comparing Trump's approach to FDR and other presidents. The discussion includes the use of executive orders and potential long-term consequences of disruption and chaos. They consider the authoritarian tendencies and incompetence from the Trump administration and the IRS.
FDA & the Opioid Crisis: The show explores how the FDA's regulatory failures contributed to the opioid epidemic. It examines accusations of the FDA being too cozy with pharmaceutical companies, particularly regarding the approval and marketing of OxyContin. Experts discuss the need for stricter enforcement of existing regulations and the importance of data-driven decisions. They note that HHS Secretary Kennedy thinks the FDA should follow it's own rules in order to foster innovation.
Stakeholder Capitalism: A look at how companies like Mars and Enel balance their heritage with future strategies. The discussion covers stakeholder capitalism, emphasizing long-term vision and purpose-driven leadership. It highlights the Mars Company's commitment to its founding principles and Enel's return to its core purpose of providing useful power. Enel CEO Francesco Starace outlines the company's focus on technology, which allows them to double their EBITDA margin. Both large companies emphasize they are profitable thanks to innovation, product lines, and customer service.