Topic: Settlement

A retrospective on the Fen-Phen litigation reveals that lawyers pocketed the majority of a $200 million settlement, leaving victims with less than a quarter of the funds. The hosts investigate whether Ozempic is classified as a "biologic," which would grant it certain legal protections. They conclude that because it is not a biologic, it remains vulnerable to the same type of mass tort litigation that ended Fen-Phen.

The $27 million settlement paid to George Floyd's family is discussed as part of a "business model" for civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The hosts argue that such settlements act as a "pressure release valve" to stop riots. The lack of violence following the Chauvin verdict is presented as evidence that the unrest was scripted and controlled rather than organic.

The hosts argue that reparations should be viewed as a legal debt to "make one whole" rather than a handout. They push back against Brandon Tatum's claim that black people are "too stupid" to handle money, noting that people from all backgrounds blow settlements. They criticize Dave Rubin for not pushing back on Tatum's logic, suggesting that both are more interested in maintaining their access to mainstream "galas and brunches."

The conclusion of the Tuskegee story details the horrific medical procedures performed on the subjects and the eventual $9 million settlement in 1973. The hosts discuss the class divide between the elite black doctors and the poor subjects, noting that the victims received only a formal apology from Bill Clinton decades later.

The DOJ investigation revealed that Trump Management used a secret coding system, marking applications with a "C" for colored to identify black renters. Donald Trump responded by suing the government for $100 million in defamation, a case that was dismissed. The Trumps eventually settled in 1975, agreeing to advertise in minority publications without admitting wrongdoing.

Colin Kaepernick settled his collusion lawsuit against the NFL for an undisclosed amount, which reports suggested was in the single-digit millions. The settlement drew criticism from those who compared him to Muhammad Ali, noting that Ali sacrificed his career for years without settling to prove a point of principle. Stephen A. Smith argued that the quiet settlement compromised Kaepernick's status as a martyr for the minority community that had supported his legal battle.

Following the sentencing, the Jean family's legal team held a press conference to discuss Brandt's "bravery" in offering forgiveness. The hosts speculate that the family was coached by Crump to present a non-threatening image to ensure the civil lawsuit proceeded smoothly. They suggest that the "live like Bo" hashtag and red t-shirts were part of a larger branding effort tied to the eventual multi-million dollar payout.