Basel Musharbash
@basel.bsky.social
Lawyer helping small towns build community wealth & fight monopoly power | Principal @ Antimonopoly Counsel | Hannah Arendt & John Dewey stan | views mine, no legal advice
Pinned
Basel Musharbash
@basel.bsky.social
· Jan 25
This was one of the most appalling stories I’ve ever looked into: A private equity termite rolled up the fire-truck manufacturing industry between 2016 and 2020, and has spent the last 5 years cashing in—contributing to a crisis of preparedness at fire departments around the country.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Tyson Foods over the last few months:
• Approved 43 MILLION shares in stock buybacks
• Spent $196 million buying back its own stock to juice up the price
• Announced closure of Lexington plant: 3,200 workers in a town of 11,000 people
Then what happened?
• Approved 43 MILLION shares in stock buybacks
• Spent $196 million buying back its own stock to juice up the price
• Announced closure of Lexington plant: 3,200 workers in a town of 11,000 people
Then what happened?
December 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Tyson Foods over the last few months:
• Approved 43 MILLION shares in stock buybacks
• Spent $196 million buying back its own stock to juice up the price
• Announced closure of Lexington plant: 3,200 workers in a town of 11,000 people
Then what happened?
• Approved 43 MILLION shares in stock buybacks
• Spent $196 million buying back its own stock to juice up the price
• Announced closure of Lexington plant: 3,200 workers in a town of 11,000 people
Then what happened?
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
What happened the week Tyson announced it was laying off 3,200 workers from its plant in Lexington, NE?
The profits from the Big 4 Meatpackers hit their HIGHEST level since 2022.
This is what a cartel looks like.
The profits from the Big 4 Meatpackers hit their HIGHEST level since 2022.
This is what a cartel looks like.
December 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
What happened the week Tyson announced it was laying off 3,200 workers from its plant in Lexington, NE?
The profits from the Big 4 Meatpackers hit their HIGHEST level since 2022.
This is what a cartel looks like.
The profits from the Big 4 Meatpackers hit their HIGHEST level since 2022.
This is what a cartel looks like.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Watch the whole thing. It's about Nebraska.
Tyson WIPES OUT Entire Nebraska Town To 'MANIPULATE' Beef Market
YouTube video by Breaking Points
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Watch the whole thing. It's about Nebraska.
Oh hey, that’s my tweet!
December 5, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Oh hey, that’s my tweet!
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
In a competitive food system, a meatpacker like Tyson would try to SELL a plant rather than close it.
But Tyson DOESN’T want to sell to a competitor! They want to retain as much monopoly power as possible. Listen to Tyson’s own words, it wants to “right-size” its business...
But Tyson DOESN’T want to sell to a competitor! They want to retain as much monopoly power as possible. Listen to Tyson’s own words, it wants to “right-size” its business...
December 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In a competitive food system, a meatpacker like Tyson would try to SELL a plant rather than close it.
But Tyson DOESN’T want to sell to a competitor! They want to retain as much monopoly power as possible. Listen to Tyson’s own words, it wants to “right-size” its business...
But Tyson DOESN’T want to sell to a competitor! They want to retain as much monopoly power as possible. Listen to Tyson’s own words, it wants to “right-size” its business...
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
3. The USDA (@usdagov.bsky.social) should immediately commence proceedings to enforce the law to the fullest extent — and seek to compel Tyson to either keep the plant open or sell the plant to an upstart rival who will introduce honest competition into this cartelized industry.
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
3. The USDA (@usdagov.bsky.social) should immediately commence proceedings to enforce the law to the fullest extent — and seek to compel Tyson to either keep the plant open or sell the plant to an upstart rival who will introduce honest competition into this cartelized industry.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
2. If this kind of conduct doesn’t violate Section 202(e) of the Packers and Stockyards Act — which makes it illegal for any meatpacker to "engage in any course of business or do any act for the purpose or with the effect of manipulating or controlling prices” — then nothing does.
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
2. If this kind of conduct doesn’t violate Section 202(e) of the Packers and Stockyards Act — which makes it illegal for any meatpacker to "engage in any course of business or do any act for the purpose or with the effect of manipulating or controlling prices” — then nothing does.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
1. Osborn is right. By dismantling its giant meatpacking plant in Lexington instead of selling it to a rival, Tyson is practically committing arson to manipulate the market into a place where beef prices are high, cattle prices are low, and the meatpackers in the middle (like Tyson) make a killing.
I believe Tyson's decision to shut down its Lexington plant instead of selling it is a PLOY to manipulate cattle and beef markets in violation of our antitrust laws. 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
1. Osborn is right. By dismantling its giant meatpacking plant in Lexington instead of selling it to a rival, Tyson is practically committing arson to manipulate the market into a place where beef prices are high, cattle prices are low, and the meatpackers in the middle (like Tyson) make a killing.
1. Osborn is right. By dismantling its giant meatpacking plant in Lexington instead of selling it to a rival, Tyson is practically committing arson to manipulate the market into a place where beef prices are high, cattle prices are low, and the meatpackers in the middle (like Tyson) make a killing.
I believe Tyson's decision to shut down its Lexington plant instead of selling it is a PLOY to manipulate cattle and beef markets in violation of our antitrust laws. 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
1. Osborn is right. By dismantling its giant meatpacking plant in Lexington instead of selling it to a rival, Tyson is practically committing arson to manipulate the market into a place where beef prices are high, cattle prices are low, and the meatpackers in the middle (like Tyson) make a killing.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
I had the same thought. They’re also closing a plant in Amarillo.
These two plants represent 9% of the supply of beef.
Creating a supply squeeze is a great way to get prices moving up again.
These two plants represent 9% of the supply of beef.
Creating a supply squeeze is a great way to get prices moving up again.
I believe Tyson's decision to shut down its Lexington plant instead of selling it is a PLOY to manipulate cattle and beef markets in violation of our antitrust laws. 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I had the same thought. They’re also closing a plant in Amarillo.
These two plants represent 9% of the supply of beef.
Creating a supply squeeze is a great way to get prices moving up again.
These two plants represent 9% of the supply of beef.
Creating a supply squeeze is a great way to get prices moving up again.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
I am asking President Trump to order the DOJ and the USDA to use their authority to BLOCK this closure and save these jobs or force Tyson to SELL this plant and introduce competition into this market.
December 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I am asking President Trump to order the DOJ and the USDA to use their authority to BLOCK this closure and save these jobs or force Tyson to SELL this plant and introduce competition into this market.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Dear Tyson workers in Lexington, Nebraska.
I am NOT going to give you hollow “thoughts and prayers” that do absolutely nothing.
I’m going to fight like hell to keep your jobs.
More soon,
Dan Osborn
I am NOT going to give you hollow “thoughts and prayers” that do absolutely nothing.
I’m going to fight like hell to keep your jobs.
More soon,
Dan Osborn
December 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Dear Tyson workers in Lexington, Nebraska.
I am NOT going to give you hollow “thoughts and prayers” that do absolutely nothing.
I’m going to fight like hell to keep your jobs.
More soon,
Dan Osborn
I am NOT going to give you hollow “thoughts and prayers” that do absolutely nothing.
I’m going to fight like hell to keep your jobs.
More soon,
Dan Osborn
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
I believe Tyson's decision to shut down its Lexington plant instead of selling it is a PLOY to manipulate cattle and beef markets in violation of our antitrust laws. 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I believe Tyson's decision to shut down its Lexington plant instead of selling it is a PLOY to manipulate cattle and beef markets in violation of our antitrust laws. 🧵
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Please share your theory: Why did Trump announce beef 🥩and tomato🍅tariff cuts when 99% of US🍅imports and 42% of🥩are from Mexico or Canada and ALREADY DUTY FREE under USMCA? Argentine beef is another 25% import share and ALREADY HAD TARIFFS CUT. So why cut PHANTOM TARIFFS? 1/
November 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Please share your theory: Why did Trump announce beef 🥩and tomato🍅tariff cuts when 99% of US🍅imports and 42% of🥩are from Mexico or Canada and ALREADY DUTY FREE under USMCA? Argentine beef is another 25% import share and ALREADY HAD TARIFFS CUT. So why cut PHANTOM TARIFFS? 1/
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
When:
-4 multinationals dominate the development and production of seeds and pesticides.
-Single firms monopolize each of the domestic markets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
-5 companies control the nation’s meat and poultry industries.
-4 multinationals dominate the development and production of seeds and pesticides.
-Single firms monopolize each of the domestic markets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
-5 companies control the nation’s meat and poultry industries.
October 28, 2025 at 5:41 PM
When:
-4 multinationals dominate the development and production of seeds and pesticides.
-Single firms monopolize each of the domestic markets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
-5 companies control the nation’s meat and poultry industries.
-4 multinationals dominate the development and production of seeds and pesticides.
-Single firms monopolize each of the domestic markets for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.
-5 companies control the nation’s meat and poultry industries.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
“If #zohran wins..."The Menace of Prosperity" — a tremendous urban history and storehouse of inspiring precedents and ideas — is going to be required reading in the coming years”-
@petedavis.bsky.social, founder of the @Democracy Policy Network
Order today.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
@petedavis.bsky.social, founder of the @Democracy Policy Network
Order today.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
The Menace of Prosperity
Upends entrenched thinking about cities, demonstrating how urban economies are defined—or constrained—by the fiscal imagination of policymakers, activists, and residents. Many local policymakers mak...
press.uchicago.edu
October 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
“If #zohran wins..."The Menace of Prosperity" — a tremendous urban history and storehouse of inspiring precedents and ideas — is going to be required reading in the coming years”-
@petedavis.bsky.social, founder of the @Democracy Policy Network
Order today.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
@petedavis.bsky.social, founder of the @Democracy Policy Network
Order today.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo...
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
"We have an economy where a handful of modern-day robber barons wield extraordinary power. They hold enormous control over our paychecks, our bills, our time, and our futures.
...But the good news is that nothing about any of this is inevitable." - Lina Khan
...But the good news is that nothing about any of this is inevitable." - Lina Khan
October 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
"We have an economy where a handful of modern-day robber barons wield extraordinary power. They hold enormous control over our paychecks, our bills, our time, and our futures.
...But the good news is that nothing about any of this is inevitable." - Lina Khan
...But the good news is that nothing about any of this is inevitable." - Lina Khan
Did I just see Lina Khan walk out to Warren G's "Regualte" at the Zohran rally?? the greatest of all time
October 14, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Did I just see Lina Khan walk out to Warren G's "Regualte" at the Zohran rally?? the greatest of all time
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Just learned a lot about the egg cartel. Big egg is worth the read.
An extremely good deep dive into egg price gouging by Basel Musharbash! @basel.bsky.social
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/hatching-a...
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/hatching-a...
Hatching a Conspiracy: A BIG Investigation into Egg Prices
'More hens, less income!' So said the United Egg Producers' economist Donald Bell in 1994. The industry has gotten more consolidated ever since. And avian flu is just the latest excuse to hike prices.
www.thebignewsletter.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Just learned a lot about the egg cartel. Big egg is worth the read.
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
Zuckerberg built a hot-or-not "Facemash" the year before Facebook, he's still in charge of Meta and being a multibillionaire certainly doesn't increase the chances of any sort of growing up. He was always a creep, he just has more platforms now.
via @proptermalone.bsky.social @basel.bsky.social
via @proptermalone.bsky.social @basel.bsky.social
“Meta has used back-to-school pictures of schoolgirls to advertise one of its social media platforms to a 37-year-old man, in a move parents described as “outrageous” and “upsetting.”
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Parents outraged as Meta uses photos of schoolgirls in ads targeting man
Exclusive: Instagram pictures of girls as young as 13 were posted to promote Threads site ‘as bait’, campaigner says
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Zuckerberg built a hot-or-not "Facemash" the year before Facebook, he's still in charge of Meta and being a multibillionaire certainly doesn't increase the chances of any sort of growing up. He was always a creep, he just has more platforms now.
via @proptermalone.bsky.social @basel.bsky.social
via @proptermalone.bsky.social @basel.bsky.social
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
“Meta has used back-to-school pictures of schoolgirls to advertise one of its social media platforms to a 37-year-old man, in a move parents described as “outrageous” and “upsetting.”
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Parents outraged as Meta uses photos of schoolgirls in ads targeting man
Exclusive: Instagram pictures of girls as young as 13 were posted to promote Threads site ‘as bait’, campaigner says
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 12:46 PM
“Meta has used back-to-school pictures of schoolgirls to advertise one of its social media platforms to a 37-year-old man, in a move parents described as “outrageous” and “upsetting.”
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Basel Musharbash
had to read the article to understand wtf was going on here which is that Meta is literally feeding Instagram pictures parents took of their teenage daughters to middle aged men as ads for Threads
“Meta has used back-to-school pictures of schoolgirls to advertise one of its social media platforms to a 37-year-old man, in a move parents described as “outrageous” and “upsetting.”
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Meta has 100% stopped even *pretending* not to be astoundingly evil.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Parents outraged as Meta uses photos of schoolgirls in ads targeting man
Exclusive: Instagram pictures of girls as young as 13 were posted to promote Threads site ‘as bait’, campaigner says
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
had to read the article to understand wtf was going on here which is that Meta is literally feeding Instagram pictures parents took of their teenage daughters to middle aged men as ads for Threads