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Honestly with Bari Weiss · July 22, 2025 · 1h 25m

Giga-Yachts, Flo Rida, and Bunkers. . . What Could Go Wrong?

Evan Osnos

Bari Weiss talks with New Yorker writer Evan Osnos about his new book The Haves and the Have-Yachts, which explores how the ultrarich got their money, how they spend it (from private snow rooms in Mumbai to whale-foreskin upholstery on yachts), and how they fight to keep it. The conversation touches on Americans' conflicted attitudes toward billionaires, with growing bipartisan rage, and whether income inequality could spark a revolt. Osnos also discusses the potential impact of AI on the wealth gap.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Novel

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The Haves and the Have-Yachts
Evan Osnos introduces the concept of the 'Have-Yachts'—a class of ultra-wealthy individuals who have amassed extreme fortunes and engage in conspicuous consumption, and who shape American politics and society.
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Highlights

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Extravagant Status Displays of the Ultrarich
Osnos shares jaw-dropping examples of billionaire spending, from Mukesh Ambani's indoor snow room in Mumbai to Aristotle Onassis's whale-foreskin upholstery and a 14-foot shark preserved in formaldehyde.
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Bipartisan Rage Against Billionaires
The episode notes growing bipartisan anger toward the ultra-wealthy, from socialist Zohran Mamdani declaring 'Billionaires should not exist' to right-wing figures like Tucker Carlson channeling anti-elite resentment.
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Editorial

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Could Income Inequality Lead to Revolution?
Bari Weiss asks Evan Osnos whether America's current level of income inequality could lead to a revolt or revolution.
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References

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The Haves and the Have-Yachts — Evan Osnos (2025) — Main subject of the episode

Misc

✧Mukesh Ambani built a room of snow in tropical India, complete with artificial snow.
✧Aristotle Onassis had whale teeth carved into pornographic scenes and stools upholstered in whale foreskins aboard his yacht.
✧An anonymous hedge-fund billionaire bought a 14-foot shark preserved in formaldehyde.
✧Some billionaires reportedly hire young 'blood boys' for blood transfusions aimed at extending youth.
✧Many ultrarich have built bunkers in New Zealand as an apocalypse prep.
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