Elon Musk’s Political Spending Spree Is Over | Pivot
- May 23, 2025
- 1:12:07
- Full Episode
Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway discuss Elon Musk’s plans to significantly reduce political spending, and his defensiveness around DOGE. They also talk about reactions to Joe Biden's cancer announcement, and have choice words about the “big, beautiful” tax bill's advance. Plus, iPhone designer Jony Ive joins OpenAI, Google announces the roll out of AI Mode, and Democrats still want their Joe Rogan.
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:29 Trump Admin Attacks Harvard 09:49 Elon Reduces Political Spending 22:42 Joe Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis 31:54 House Passes Tax Bill, Stocks Slide 38:25 Jony Ive Joins OpenAI 48:24 Google AI Mode Roll Out 54:07 Democrats Still Want a Joe Rogan 1:04:14 Predictions
Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Kevin Oliver Corinne Ruff
Fact Checking: Kate Gallagher
Audio Engineer: Ernie Indradat
Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa
Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/pivot
Brief Summary
Tom Cruise's film career, Trump's Harvard policy, and Musk's Tesla struggles are discussed in this episode of Pivot.
Key points
- Tom Cruz: A Hardworking Star. Despite mixed feelings about his movies, the speaker admires Tom Cruz's dedication to film.
- Elon Musk's Political Spending. Elon Musk plans to reduce his political spending after significant past investments.
- Tesla's Brand Destruction. Tesla's reputation has plummeted from 8th to 95th in brand rankings.
- Biden's Prostate Cancer Diagnosis. Former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis raises questions about his health and transparency.
- Democratic Party's Struggles. The Democratic Party faces blame for Biden's decision to run again amid health concerns.
- OpenAI's Major Acquisition. OpenAI acquires Johnny IV's design firm in a historic aqua hire valued at $6.5 billion.
Episode highlights
- Tom Cruz: A Hardworking StarDespite mixed feelings about his movies, the speaker admires Tom Cruz's dedication to film.“He really sells these movies. I have to say he's out there.”0:45May 23, 2025
- Elon Musk's Political SpendingElon Musk plans to reduce his political spending after significant past investments.“I think I've done enough.”9:57May 23, 2025
- Tesla's Brand DestructionTesla's reputation has plummeted from 8th to 95th in brand rankings.“This has arguably been one of the greatest brand destructions.”13:20May 23, 2025
- Biden's Prostate Cancer DiagnosisFormer President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis raises questions about his health and transparency.“That is an astonishing thing. I cannot believe that.”22:50May 23, 2025
- Democratic Party's StrugglesThe Democratic Party faces blame for Biden's decision to run again amid health concerns.“All of Democrats right now are being blamed for the Biden fiasco.”23:48May 23, 2025
- OpenAI's Major AcquisitionOpenAI acquires Johnny IV's design firm in a historic aqua hire valued at $6.5 billion.“This is now the most expensive aqua hire of all time.”40:44May 23, 2025
- Johnny Ivy's Design LegacyDiscussion on Johnny Ivy's influence in consumer technology and design.“He's probably the greatest designer in consumer technology history.”42:38May 23, 2025
- Google's AI Mode AnnouncementGoogle introduces a new AI mode for search, functioning like a chatbot for users.“The sounds so scary. A new search feature which will function like a chatbot.”48:29May 23, 2025
