### Corporate Influence on Kamala Harris's Campaign: A Post-Election Analysis

In the wake of Kamala Harris's unsuccessful presidential bid, scrutiny is mounting over the significant sway corporate donors exerted on her campaign. Notably, investors and executives, including billionaire Mark Cuban, have openly discussed their success in watering down Harris's progressive economic policies.

A few weeks before the election, the New York Times highlighted the extensive influence wielded by affluent backers over Harris's economic agenda. Now, with the election results known, this revelation reads more like an admission of guilt. Despite not distancing herself from Joe Biden during the crisis in Gaza, Harris was unreserved in signaling her intention to abandon parts of Biden’s economic plans that were favorable to the working class but unfavorable to the wealthy.

The Times article mentioned that Harris's campaign maintained "a steady stream of meetings and calls" where corporate figures shared their views on tax policy and financial regulation, significantly shaping the campaign's direction. This approach marked a stark contrast to Biden's administration, which had previously been less receptive to corporate input.

Corporate influence became evident when Harris initially promised to ban grocery price gouging but quickly backtracked. Her team later clarified that such measures would only be applied during emergencies, echoing existing state laws—a move that placated her corporate supporters while leaving a major economic issue unaddressed.

In contrast, Biden had once reassured a group of wealthy donors that their wealth and influence would remain largely untouched by his reforms. Nevertheless, Biden's administration did push for significant tax hikes on the affluent and appointed regulators like FTC Chair Lina Khan, who took a more aggressive stance on mergers—actions that unnerved corporate executives.

However, Harris's opposition to such measures, including rejecting Biden’s proposal to increase the capital gains tax to 39.6 percent, was music to the ears of Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Cuban proudly recounted how his persistent communications with the Harris campaign led to the inclusion of policies favoring the billionaire class in her speeches.

Cuban asserted that Harris was open-minded and receptive to a variety of ideas, contrasting her approach with the Democratic Party's recent leftward shift influenced by Bernie Sanders's campaigns. This shift, he suggested, would be a mere memory with Harris at the helm.

Despite congratulating Trump on his win, Cuban remained unfazed by the election outcome, confident that the billionaire class would thrive regardless of who was in power. The pivotal role he and other wealthy donors played in steering Harris's campaign should serve as a sharp reminder for those outside this insulated wealthy enclave as they navigate the next four years under Trump's presidency.