Patrick Bet-David

[[File:Patrick Bet-David (53421299014) (cropped).jpg|165px|thumb|Bet-David at one of his events]]{{Scam}}
'''Patrick Bet-David''' {{lived|October 18, 1978}} is an [[Iranian]]-[[American]] businessman with a reputation for promoting various questionable practices. He is the host of the ''PBD Podcast'' and founder of ''Valuetainment,'' platforms both known for catering to [[fringe]] figures and disseminating shallow commentary on business and pop culture. In 2009, he created [[PHP Agency]], a [[multi-level marketing]] company that critics describe as exploiting recruits more than selling actual products.<ref name="spectator">{{Cite web |url=https://thespectator.com/topic/inside-unlikely-success-patrick-bet-david/ |title=Inside the Unlikely Success of Patrick Bet-David |website=The Spectator |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-10-21}}</ref> His podcast gained notoriety during the [[2024 U.S. presidential election]] for hosting President [[Donald Trump]] and embracing violent [[rhetoric]].

Though Bet-David himself seems like a bland and boring centrist,{{lie}} he has a history of platforming [[far-right]] figures, as described by Media Matters:
{{quotebox|...a platform for [other] far-right figures to promote conspiracy theories and bigotry, potentially to millions of people. Bet-David’s PBD Podcast has allowed guests to promote the white nationalist “[[great replacement]]” theory, claim that homosexuality is being pushed on children, and push conspiracy theories about mail-in ballot harvesting.<ref>Reed McMaster (05/13/24). [https://www.mediamatters.org/jesse-watters/podcast-host-patrick-bet-david-provides-safe-space-guests-push-bigotry-and-conspiracy Podcast host Patrick Bet-David provides a safe space for guests to push bigotry and conspiracy theories] ''Meta Matters''.</ref>}}

== Questionable background ==
Bet-David was born in Tehran, Iran on October 18, 1978, to a [[Christian]] family of {{wpl|Assyrian people|Assyrian}} and [[Armenian]] descent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=Iran's Exiled Prince Makes Revelations About His Father's Reign |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202311196697 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=iranintl.com |language=en}}</ref> His family fled Iran during the [[Iran-Iraq War]] and eventually settled in Glendale, [[California]] after a stint in a German refugee camp.<ref name="spectator" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bet-David |first=Patrick |title=This Entrepreneur Thinks You Should Drop out of College |url=https://fortune.com/2015/12/08/entrepreneur-drop-out-college/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

Despite his self-important claims of being shaped by hardship, Bet-David’s early years were reportedly spent partying and engaging in questionable activities, including a stint as a bodyguard for a [[drug]] dealer in Los Angeles&nbsp;— a fact he oddly touts as formative.<ref name="Vanity Fair">{{Cite web|last=Zak |first=David |date=2024-11-01 |title=Watching the Trump Victory Among the Podcasters |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/watching-the-trump-victory-among-the-podcasters |access-date=2024-11-06 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> His morals were clearly influenced by these shady dealings.{{nofact}}

== Exploitative ventures ==
=== PHP Agency ===
In 2009, Bet-David launched PHP Agency, a multilevel marketing company ostensibly focused on life insurance but widely criticized for its exploitative business model. Instead of prioritizing product sales, PHP relies heavily on recruitment fees from new members, a hallmark of [[pyramid scheme]]s. Critics argue that PHP primarily benefits a select few at the expense of the many who buy into its promises.<ref name="spectator" /><ref name="phpagency">{{Cite web |title=Jennifer Bet-David |url=https://phpagency.com/jennifer-bet-david-evp-of-agency-operations/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=PHP Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Valuetainment ===
In 2012, Bet-David founded ''Valuetainment'', a [[YouTube]] channel where he initially dispensed generic business advice. Over time, the platform became a hub for attention-grabbing interviews and sensationalism. A 2015 video, "The Life of an Entrepreneur in 90 Seconds," went viral, boosting his profile despite its lack of substantive insights.<ref name="spectator" />

Valuetainment's conventions and videos have featured [[Appeal to celebrity|celebrities]], likely in attempts to lend legitimacy to Bet-David's image. However, the platform’s expansion into media has drawn criticism for its promotion of [[conspiracy theories]] and failure to challenge controversial guest opinions.<ref name="spectator" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=McGahan |first=Michelle |date=2024-08-09 |title=Entrepreneur and New York Yankees Owner Patrick Bet-David Unmasks Powerful Keys to Success With Podcast Host Brad Lea |url=https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/patrick-bet-david-entrepreneur-success-brad-lea-podcast-1936778 |website=Newsweek |access-date=2024-10-21 }}</ref>

Problematic guests included:<ref>[https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/valuetainment-581373/creators Valuetainment Creators & Guests]</ref><!--Especially missional ones get a red link-->
* Maz Jobrani, a comedian, host, and actor.

* Paul Sankey, an analyst at the rather [[Nepotism|nepotistic]] "Sankey Research".{{nofact}}

* Jedediah Bila, a television host and author.

* [[Ben Shapiro]], a prominent American [[right-wing]] political [[pundit]].

* [[Michael Shermer]], a science writer and [[racialism|race science]] proponent. 

* Kenny Xu, a writer focusing on [[identity politics]] and the author of the "anti-woke" book: ''An Inconvenient Minority: The Ivy League Admissions Cases and the Attack on Asian-American Excellence.''

* Shawn Speagle, a former [[Facebook]] moderator.

* Dennis Tajer, an airline pilot and a spokesman for the ''Allied Pilots Association.''

* Chris Guillebeau, a nonfiction author, blogger, and speaker, hosting the daily grifting podcast "side hustle school."

* Jocko Willink, a podcaster, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL. 

* Jack Carr, an author and former Navy SEAL.

* Larry Mazza, actor, author, and gym trainer.

* John Warrilow, an entrepreneur, author, and podcast host.

* Thomas N. Ellsworth, a self-declared [[marketing]] "expert", investor and entrepreneur.

* Jim Clemente, an author, former New York State prosecutor, having produced parts of the outlandish show ''Criminal Minds''.

* [[Bart Sibrel]], noted conspiracy theorist.

Bet-David also sees no problem associating himself with fellow [[Manosphere]]-adjacent grifters like [[Andrew Tate]]. This has been harshly criticised by his own audience: 
{{quotebox|Giving this man an additional platform to spout misogyny, racism, and other bigoted opinions is completely irresponsible & disgusting.
Anyone that thinks free speech is at risk here, learn about the [[Paradox of Tolerance]] then get back to me.<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patrick-bet-david-3731553_love-him-or-hate-the-5-hour-sit-down-with-activity-6975495434140061696-mAKu</ref>}}

=== Political pandering ===
[[File:828281603.jpeg|200px|thumb|Bet-David posturing next to another misogynistic scam artist, "bottom G" [[Andrew Tate]]]]
Bet-David used his platform to wade into political commentary, often veering into [[partisan]] talking points. His ''PBD Podcast'' regularly amplifies divisive perspectives and grants a stage to controversial figures like wannabe dictator [[Donald Trump]]. Critics argue that his foray into political debates is more about self-promotion than meaningful discourse.<ref name="spectator" />

Another example of the grifting that Bet-David and his ilk engage in is promoting right-wing narratives without pushing back, such as when he had [[Dennis Prager]] in an interview and weakly pushed back against his anti-leftist bullshit. He’s also given a platform to reactionary Muslims like [[Andrew Tate]], and refused to push back or even respond to his bullshit regarding Islam (an even more tragic irony is that Bet-David himself is Iranian, and his family left Iran because of the Islamic revolution. Some members of the Iranian diaspora such as Armin Navabi have pointed this out, given that Islam is widely despised and condemned by many Iranians inside and outside Iran for the problems caused in the country and the reactionary thought of Islam).<ref>[https://m.youtube.com/live/Vvs6Zkp4EW4?si=d8l3VNHMbFq2jgkA Andrew Tate’s New Insane Defense of Islam] YouTube</ref>

In a July 2024 interview on [[Fox News]], Bet-David offered unsolicited advice to Trump, advocating a return to 2016-style [[populist]] [[Propaganda|propagandizing]]. This attempt at relevance further underscores his penchant for inserting himself into polarizing discussions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bet-David |first=Patrick |date=2024-07-30 |title=Patrick Bet-David: Trump Needs to Go Back to 2016 Speeches, Sell Me on the Concept of the American Dream |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2024/07/30/patrick_bet-david_trump_needs_to_go_back_to_2016_speeches_sell_me_on_the_concept_of_the_american_dream.html |website=RealClearPolitics |access-date=2024-10-21 }}</ref>

After defending Vivek and Elon on Twitter from white supremacists who got pissed at them for supporting immigration and foreign workers, Bet-David was told by the same white supremacists to "go back to Iran".{{cn}}

He and his Valuetainment grift have been called opportunistic, "libertarians when it suits them and social conservatives when it suits them".<ref>''[https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMajorityReport/comments/121nj7l/just_a_reminder_that_valuetainment_and_patrick/ Just a reminder that Valuetainment and Patrick Bet David are lunatics] ''</ref>

=== Persistent controversy ===
Bet-David’s businesses and media ventures have consistently faced backlash. PHP Agency has been labeled a predatory operation masquerading as a legitimate business. Notable critics, including well-known YouTuber Coffeezilla and other legal experts, have pointed out its resemblance to other MLM schemes that prey on vulnerable individuals.<ref name="spectator" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sommer |first1=Will |last2=Weill |first2=Kelly |date=2019-05-30 |title=George W. Bush, Kobe Bryant, Jordan Peterson Promote Shady Multilevel Marketing Company PHP Agency |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/george-w-bush-kobe-bryant-jordan-peterson-promote-shady-multilevel-marketing-company-php-agency/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=The Daily Beast}}</ref>

Additionally, ''Valuetainment'' has been criticized for hosting and promoting conspiracy theorists without pushback. Observers note that he wilfully platforms various [[far-right]] ideologues, further tarnishing his little remaining credibility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How covid-19 conspiracy theorists are exploiting YouTube culture |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/05/07/1001252/youtube-covid-conspiracy-theories/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McMaster |first=Reed |date=2024-05-13 |title=Podcast host Patrick Bet-David provides a safe space for guests to push bigotry and conspiracy theories |url=https://www.mediamatters.org/jesse-watters/podcast-host-patrick-bet-david-provides-safe-space-guests-push-bigotry-and-conspiracy |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Media Matters for America |language=en}}</ref>

He has been criticised as [[antisemitic]] for demands like one that "[t]he Daily Wire changes its name to "Daily Jewish Wire" or "Daily Israel Wire"."<ref>https://x.com/TopGResistance/status/1776235691346632842</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Vivek Ramaswamy]] – another Aryan-American right-wing grifter

== References ==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bet-David, Patrick}}
[[Category:Anti-LGBT bigots]]
[[Category:Antisemites]]
[[Category:2020 election denialists]]
[[Category:Alt-lite]]
[[Category:Business]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Conservative deceit]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Crank magnetism]]
[[Category:Culture wars]]
[[Category:Entertainers]]
[[Category:Financial fraud]]
[[Category:Iranians]]
[[Category:Internalized discrimination]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Right-wing activists]]
[[Category:Shysters]]
[[Category:Trumpism]]
[[Category:YouTube]]

Categories: Anti-LGBT bigots, Antisemites, 2020 election denialists, Alt-lite, Business, California, Conservative deceit, Conspiracy theorists, Crank magnetism, Culture wars, Entertainers, Financial fraud, Iranians, Internalized discrimination, Living people, Racists, Right-wing activists, Shysters, Trumpism, YouTube