Snapshot · Pod Save the World
Tommy Vitor highlighted that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently cut a $2 billion check to Jared Kushner, illustrating MBS's pattern of buying influence with powerful figures.
Where this was said
At 54:21 · chapter starts 52:55
The sportswashing conversation sharpens into two case studies. Lionel Messi — Roger's GOAT, 'a remarkable little man who runs with the ball as if it's stuffed inside his boot' — has signed on as a paid ambassador for Saudi tourism, visiting scenic locations and declaring his love for the country [1] — Roger Bennett "Lionel Messi is a paid Saudi tourism ambassador while Argentina bids to host the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia. David Beckham signed …" 53:40 . The problem: Argentina is reported to be bidding for the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia's joint bid with Greece and Egypt, meaning the world's greatest footballer is simultaneously the face of his country's rival bid. Roger calls it simply 'dystopian.' Tommy adds that Messi reportedly earned $120 million last year [2] — Tommy Vitor "Messi reportedly made $120M in a year: Tommy Vitor noted that Lionel Messi reportedly made $120 million in the past year, making his report…" 56:26 , making the Saudi deal feel less like financial necessity and more like a character choice. David Beckham's situation is equally striking: a reported 10-year, $15 million-per-year Qatar ambassador deal [3] — Roger Bennett "Beckham's Qatar deal: $15M/year for 10 years: David Beckham reportedly signed a 10-year deal worth $15 million per year to serve as Qatar's…" 57:52 has infuriated English fans. British gay comedian Joe Lissette went viral by threatening to feed £10,000 through a wood chipper unless Beckham renounced the deal — noting pointedly that 'you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human can do.' Beckham has not responded.
Lionel Messi is a paid Saudi tourism ambassador while Argentina bids to host the 2030 World Cup against Saudi Arabia. David Beckham signed a $150 million, 10-year deal to be Qatar's brand ambassador — prompting an English comedian to threaten to put £10,000 through a wood chipper unless Beckham quit.
Tommy Vitor noted that Lionel Messi reportedly made $120 million in the past year, making his reported £25 million Saudi tourism ambassador deal puzzling.
Roger Bennett reported that Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly turned down a Saudi tourism deal worth $5 million, far less than Messi's reported offer.
David Beckham reportedly signed a 10-year deal worth $15 million per year to serve as Qatar's brand ambassador, drawing significant backlash from English fans and media.
A total of 8 states have filed lawsuits against social media platforms, including an ongoing case in Tennessee, using product liability and public nuisance theories to seek accountability.
France built 56 nuclear plants in the 1970s and now has the cheapest energy in Europe, making it independent of Russian or Middle Eastern energy geopolitics.
Estonia has a single tax form, a law preventing the government from asking citizens for the same information twice, and a flat rate of tax — enabling competitive taxation.
Portugal's Lisbon, once a city with a major heroin problem, legalised drugs and redirected enforcement spending into rehabilitation and housing, dramatically reducing crime.
The first Boland Amendment banning CIA and Defense Department funds for the Contras passed the House unanimously — yet the Reagan administration ignored it.
Over just two years, Saudi Arabia alone donated $32 million to the Contra rebels, giving loosely affiliated factions millions they had no way to spend on arms.
The National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty raised $6.3 million for the Contras but only $3.3 million reached them — a shockingly low 52% program expense rate.
Richard Secord and Albert Hakim marked up their arms shipments to the Contras by as much as 300%, making enormous personal profits from the covert operation.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, tapped to run the entire covert Contra support operation, had no prior experience in covert operations whatsoever — he was learning as he went.
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