51% of Americans have a valid passport
The US State Department estimated that approximately 51%, or 170 million Americans, held a valid passport in late 2024.
Snapshot · Modern Wisdom
Who You Meet Down America’s Forgotten Backroads - Peter Santenello - #1132
Explore episode
Aug 3, 2026
Where this was said
The Seminole Tribe: Capitalists, Hard Rock & Millionaire Kids
At 36:07 · chapter starts 31:55
The contrast between the Pine Ridge Reservation — the poorest in the country — and the Seminoles of South Florida could not be more stark. The Seminoles own the Hard Rock brand worldwide (purchased for approximately $800 million), run agricultural and gas operations, and reportedly distribute around $128,000 per child annually so tribal members graduate high school as millionaires. Peter secured access through a tribal council member who had watched his content, navigating background checks and gate-controlled offices to film what he describes as 'the most official thing I've ever done with video making.' The video went up — and immediately came down. The tribe's attorneys cited a recently closed $800 million case against Wells Fargo and made it clear the clip needed to disappear. Peter's single-person legal team was never going to fight that one.
Seminoles paid ~$800M for Hard Rock brand
The Seminole Tribe of Florida purchased the Hard Rock Cafe brand worldwide for approximately $800 million, making them global hospitality owners.
Seminole tribe distributes ~$128K per child/year
Peter Santenello estimated the Seminole Tribe distributes roughly $128,000 per child per year from tribal revenues, meaning members graduate high school as millionaires.
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