Latest Interviews
Showing 1–9 of 9 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist9 min
Is ICE a threat to American democracy?
President Trump's administration has aggressively expanded federal authority by deploying militarized agents to enforce immigration policies, culminating in the fatal shooting of an unarmed nurse and the establishment of unchecked executive control over enforcement actions. While a recent poll shows 92% of respondents view ICE as a threat to democracy, discussion leaders emphasize that only legal accountability for lethal officers, rather than public outrage or "supine" congressional action, can effectively halt this erosion of democratic norms. As the administration continues to pursue political retribution beyond statutory mandates, the critical challenge for the coming year remains whether institutions and civil society will force a confrontation to prevent the normalization of these unchecked executive powers.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
How the New Tax Cuts Are Shaping the U.S. Economyand Our Fiscal Future
Josh Barro, Eric Cantor, Jason Furman, William Lee, Maya MacGuineas, David Freeman, Jr., Steve
Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor joined economists Jason Furman, Bill Lee, and Maya McGinnis to debate the new tax law's projected 0.7% annual GDP boost against concerns that rising debt will soon crowd out investment and hinder entitlement reform. While the group agreed the legislation offers short-term demand stimulus, they warned that without permanent spending cuts or revenue offsets, the resulting $1.5 trillion deficit will likely triple interest payments and force long-term interest rates higher. The panelists further noted that despite potential competitive advantages against China, the temporary nature of the cuts creates political uncertainty that may undermine the very productivity growth the law aims to stimulate.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
London Summit 2015 - Institutional Investors: Examining the Long Term (I)
David Blood, Stefan Dunatov, Torben Möger Pedersen, Eugene O'Callaghan, Stefan Diletov, Trevor Kalserdine, Scott Young, Faith Ward, Ekaterina Scharschitz, Steve
Representatives from Coal, Pension Denmark, and Ireland's Strategic Investment Fund convened to align diverse mandates ranging from closed pension schemes to sovereign wealth objectives amidst a global backdrop of elevated asset valuations. Participants detailed strategic pivots toward non-listed income-generating assets and blended finance structures to manage permanent loss risks while navigating the inherent trade-offs between commercial returns and domestic economic impact. The dialogue further emphasized rigorous governance frameworks and ESG integration, rejecting direct corporate board oversight in favor of leveraging third-party proxies to drive sustainable value creation.
- Milken Institute1h 3m
The Future of Higher Education
Carol Quinlan, Eduardo Padron, Mitch Daniels, Steve, Ted Mitchell, Jeff, Mike Milken, William Bonvillian, Michael Schrag, Elizabeth Lee, Elizabeth Bell, Mike Downer, Chris Hartz
A panel of higher education leaders including Eduardo Padron, Ted Mitchell, and Carol Quinlan identifies a systemic failure to convert increased student access into degree completion and employability. The discussion highlights critical barriers such as state disinvestment, regulatory rigidity regarding seat time, and a misalignment between curricula and labor market needs. To resolve these issues, experts propose shifting toward student-centric competency portfolios, establishing seamless regional pathways, and renegotiating the sector's social contract to prove tangible value to taxpayers.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Credit Markets: What's Next?
Mike Milken, Rich Byrne, David Warren, Tom, Steve, Michael
Regulatory constraints have forced banks to retreat from middle-market lending, creating a liquidity vacuum now filled by alternative capital providers such as Business Development Companies and institutional investors actively engaging in bespoke direct origination. This structural shift compels pension funds and credit managers to abandon passive index strategies in favor of deep fundamental analysis and flexible capital deployment across complex assets like legacy CMBS and emerging market debt to achieve realistic returns. By acting as both lenders and equity partners in distressed or restructuring scenarios, these active managers are capitalizing on a sustained "golden era" of institutional credit investment driven by regulatory disintermediation.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
The Future of Higher Education
President Obama, Secretary Duncan, Steve, Janet, Joe, Rob, Barry, Gene
Panelists from George Washington University, the University of California, and Northeastern University discussed a shifting higher education landscape defined by $80 million public health investments, a reversal of state funding reliance, and the adoption of output-based success models. The discussion highlighted critical systemic challenges, including stagnant graduation rates, a reliance on adjunct faculty, and the risk that low-income students face a "reverse digital divide" while facing restrictive new regulations. Experts concluded that to avoid obsolescence, institutions must disrupt traditional vertical integration by decoupling research, teaching, and credentialing while advocating for a unified response to federal policy changes that threaten the viability of public higher education.
- Milken Institute49 min
Trust and the Markets: A Debate on High-Frequency Trading
Jim McCoggin, Rishi Narang, Katie, Amy Goodman, David Brooks, Jim Lecinski, Mark Blyth, Jr., Steve
Industry experts Jim McCoggin and Rishi Narang debated the evolution of high-frequency trading, analyzing how regulatory milestones like Decimalization and Reg NMS drove an arms race in automation while compressing profit margins to less than 0.1% of trade face value. The discussion highlighted a stark divide regarding market transparency, with McCoggin advocating for the elimination of dark pools and payment for order flow while Narang defended them as necessary tools for institutional protection. Both agreed that current market conduct rules have failed to keep pace with technology, necessitating SEC intervention to equalize data speeds and penalize excessive order cancellations without banning the practice itself.
- Milken Institute57 min
America's Debt and the Economy: A Hard Look at Public Spending and Finance
Doug, Maya, Gene, Maria, Steve, Jean
Federal officials warn that rising mandatory spending on entitlements and surging interest costs have eroded U.S. fiscal flexibility while displacing investment in research and infrastructure. Despite the absence of immediate market panic, deep political gridlock and a collapsed bipartisan consensus are preventing the structural reforms needed to address long-term debt projections. Experts suggest that avoiding a grand bargain will likely result in continued incremental stagnation unless leaders adopt a culture of principled compromise to reallocate resources toward future growth.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
Debt and the Deficit: What's Really on the Table?
Steve, Bob Corker, Peter Hotez Jr., Dave Cody, Maya
A bipartisan panel of policymakers and business leaders, including Senators Bob Corker and Patty Murray and CEO Dave Coudy, warned that the U.S. fiscal trajectory is unsustainable due to entitlement costs and emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive tax and debt reforms before the September 15th deadline. The group outlined contrasting budget strategies from President Obama, Congressman Ryan, and others, ultimately agreeing that stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio requires eliminating tax loopholes and restructuring Medicare rather than relying on temporary sequestration cuts. Without direct presidential leadership to bridge partisan gridlock, experts predicted that failure to act by mid-September could trigger market instability and add trillions in future interest costs to the national debt.