Kara Swisher Calls It Now: the Paramount Merger Won’t Go Through | Pivot
- Jul 28, 2026
- 58:12
- Full Episode
Kara and Scott discuss Paramount's decision to pause its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and predict whether the blockbuster deal will ultimately go through. Then, Meta's latest ad campaign puts an optimistic spin on AI, but Scott has a few ideas for better taglines. Plus, Trump's White House Correspondents' Dinner jokes fall flat, and the FDA's decision to ease restrictions helps fuel America's peptide boom.
00:00 Intro 00:22 Paramount Pauses WBD Merger 16:40 The End of the WHCD? 24:15 Meta’s AI Optimism Ad 37:084Trump Launching EU Investigation 41:09 The Rise of Peptides 48:13 Wins and Fails
Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Todd Wiseman
Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa
Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email [email protected]
Brief Summary
Cara Swisher and Scott Galloway discuss the Paramount merger delay, the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and Meta's AI optimism campaign.
Key points
- Paramount's Merger Delayed. Paramount Sky Dance's merger with Warner Brothers is paused until legal challenges are resolved.
- A Devastating Business Problem. The merger delay poses significant financial risks for Paramount.
- Legal Win or Economic Loss?. Winning in court doesn't guarantee financial success for Paramount.
- Awkward White House Correspondents Dinner. A discussion on the cringe-worthy moments at the dinner and its implications for journalism.
- Meta's AI Optimism Campaign. Meta launches an ad campaign promoting AI as a tool for human connection, despite skepticism.
- Trump's Trade Investigation. Trump launches a trade investigation into the EU after a billion-dollar fine on Google.
Episode highlights
- Paramount's Merger DelayedParamount Sky Dance's merger with Warner Brothers is paused until legal challenges are resolved.“That's like a long time from now, folks.”0:27Jul 28, 2026
- A Devastating Business ProblemThe merger delay poses significant financial risks for Paramount.“This is a devastating business problem.”1:26Jul 28, 2026
- Legal Win or Economic Loss?Winning in court doesn't guarantee financial success for Paramount.“Winning in court can still mean losing economically.”2:57Jul 28, 2026
- Awkward White House Correspondents DinnerA discussion on the cringe-worthy moments at the dinner and its implications for journalism.“This thing just was so awkward.”19:29Jul 28, 2026
- Meta's AI Optimism CampaignMeta launches an ad campaign promoting AI as a tool for human connection, despite skepticism.“Call us optimists. Call us dreamers.”24:51Jul 28, 2026
- Trump's Trade InvestigationTrump launches a trade investigation into the EU after a billion-dollar fine on Google.“The US is not a piggy bank for Europe.”37:24Jul 28, 2026
- Meta's New TaglineA humorous take on Meta's image and past controversies.“We're not the same Facebook that ruined Thanksgiving.”38:41Jul 28, 2026
- Peptides and WellnessDiscussion on the rising popularity of peptides and their safety concerns.“The gray market is so dangerous.”42:06Jul 28, 2026
