So Why Is Elon Musk Going After Kara Swisher This Time?
Ask about Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway
Episode Description
Elon Musk says Kara "really wants to go to prison," and she has some thoughts! Kara and Scott break down the contrasting earnings reports from SpaceX and Tesla, and the potential merger of Musk’s two companies. Plus, Meta’s blockbuster earnings, Zuckerberg’s latest power play, and Joel Kaplan’s exit. Then, Sacha Baron Cohen joins to discuss his new movie, "Ali G: Who Iz I?" and why he doesn't think democracy is compatible with social media.
Kara and Scott are going on tour! Get your tickets at https://www.PivotTour.com
00:00 Kara Responds to Elon Threats 7:50 SpaceX and Tesla Earnings 11:10 Will Tesla Merge With SpaceX? 22:01 Meta Earnings 27:33 Joel Kaplan's Meta Exit 33:09 Sacha Baron Cohen Brings Back Ali G 01:02:50 Predictions
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]
About Pivot
With great power, comes great scrutiny. Every Tuesday and Friday, journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics. They make bold predictions, pick winners and losers, and bicker and banter like no one else.
Episodes blend breaking news analysis with bold predictions, sharp debate, and the occasional argument between the two hosts. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Brief Summary
Swisher and Galloway assess Musk, Starlink, Tesla, SpaceX, and Meta, then talk satire, social media, and Ali G with Sasha Baron Cohen.
Key points
- Musk’s threats and the power of a megaphone. The hosts discuss Musk’s “live by the sword” post and the risks of powerful figures directing their followers at critics. They argue that public attacks can have real-world consequences.
- The Tesla–SpaceX merger narrative. Scott says Tesla’s weak performance is being wrapped in a grand new story about robots, autonomy, data, and SpaceX. He argues that the proposed merger could increase Musk’s control while leaving shareholders with little
- Starlink’s geopolitical risk. The hosts warn that Starlink’s role in military communications gives Musk extraordinary influence over national security. They discuss the possibility of governments regulating or even nationalizing the service.
- What if the AI boom breaks?. SpaceX’s growing AI-compute revenue is a major part of its recent surge, but the hosts question what happens if demand falters. A downturn could expose the company’s spending and valuation risks.
- Meta’s AI efficiency in one sentence. Meta’s revenue rose 26% while headcount fell 15%. The hosts frame the contrast as a glimpse of AI’s promise—and a source of anxiety for workers and politicians.
- Why billionaires stay in California. The hosts joke that, despite complaints about the state, people with the most options still choose to live there. The punchline: California is hard to leave.
Episode highlights
- Musk’s threats and the power of a megaphoneThe hosts discuss Musk’s “live by the sword” post and the risks of powerful figures directing their followers at critics. They argue that public attacks can have real-world consequences.“There’s a non-zero probability that saying something like that about someone else might result in physical harm to them or their family.”3:49Oct 23, 2026
- The Tesla–SpaceX merger narrativeScott says Tesla’s weak performance is being wrapped in a grand new story about robots, autonomy, data, and SpaceX. He argues that the proposed merger could increase Musk’s control while leaving shareholders with little “The bride, the groom and the officiant are the same person here.”11:17Oct 23, 2026
- Starlink’s geopolitical riskThe hosts warn that Starlink’s role in military communications gives Musk extraordinary influence over national security. They discuss the possibility of governments regulating or even nationalizing the service.“When you have an unelected representative throttling back the ability for a nation to defend itself…”14:23Oct 23, 2026
- What if the AI boom breaks?SpaceX’s growing AI-compute revenue is a major part of its recent surge, but the hosts question what happens if demand falters. A downturn could expose the company’s spending and valuation risks.“If there isn’t an endless bottomless need for compute…”17:33Oct 23, 2026
- Meta’s AI efficiency in one sentenceMeta’s revenue rose 26% while headcount fell 15%. The hosts frame the contrast as a glimpse of AI’s promise—and a source of anxiety for workers and politicians.“Fewer people, more money.”24:01Oct 23, 2026
- Why billionaires stay in CaliforniaThe hosts joke that, despite complaints about the state, people with the most options still choose to live there. The punchline: California is hard to leave.“California is [ __ ] amazing.”29:05Oct 23, 2026
- When satire has to keep reinventing itselfHe argues that satire isn’t dead, but its targets and methods must change as reality becomes more extreme. The point is to uncover what people haven’t yet seen clearly.“you just have to recreate and reinvent.”37:47Oct 23, 2026
- Fearless doesn’t mean unafraidHe says he feels terrified in dangerous situations, but can overcome the fear once he’s in character. At a gun-rights rally, that confidence led him to take another turn onstage as the crowd grew hostile.“I don't think I'm fearless. I am terrified, but I have the ability to overcome my fear.”41:02Oct 23, 2026
