U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26
· 37 min
Episode U.S. Debt, Data Centers in the Midterms, & Coinbase CEO 8/20/26
The morning after crypto and tech leaders met President Trump at the White House, attendee and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the Clarity Act vote in September. Armstrong is optimistic that crypto will begin a new bull run in the fall. AI data center construction has become a political flashpoint in the primaries and upcoming midterms as candidates navigate support and pushback in their communities. Pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz discusses data center marketing among constituents, as well as the future of the Democratic Party as the Democratic Socialists of America gain traction nationwide. Plus, President Trump has threatened an “economic D-day” for Iran, and U.S. national debt has climbed above $40 trillion while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a debt buyback program.
Eamon Javers - 13:40
Brian Armstrong - 18:30
Frank Luntz - 29:21
In this episode:
Brian Armstrong, @brian_armstrong
Frank Luntz, @FrankLuntz
Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin
Kelly Evans, @KellyCNBC
Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie
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Links in the notes 10
- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/20/ai-data-center-election-backlash.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-economic-warfare.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/us-government-debt-passes-40-trillion-mark-for-the-first-time.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/20/bessent-says-treasury-buyback-operation-could-be-more-than-4-billion.html
- https://x.com/brian_armstrong?lang=en
- https://x.com/FrankLuntz
- https://twitter.com/andrewrsorkin
- https://x.com/KellyCNBC?lang=en
- https://x.com/Kramer_Katie
- https://pcm.adswizz.com
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