7am

Kara Swisher has known Elon Musk for decades - she saw this coming

Feb 10, 2025

Kara Swisher, a seasoned tech journalist known for her sharp insights on Silicon Valley, shares her long history with Elon Musk and his recent drastic shifts in governance. She discusses Musk’s controversial role as head of the new 'Department of Government Efficiency' and warns of a techno-dictatorship emerging under his influence. Their unlikely alliance with Trump is dissected, revealing a power dynamic that raises concerns about free speech, censorship, and the overarching impact of Silicon Valley on democracy.

15:28

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Episode guests

Kara Swisher

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Kara Swisher highlights Elon Musk's ideological shift from liberalism to controversial stances, influenced by personal challenges and the pandemic.

Musk's leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency signifies a dangerous dismantling of democracy and a move towards authoritarian governance.

Deep dives

Elon Musk's Shift in Ideology

Elon Musk, once aligned with liberal ideals during the Obama administration, has undergone a significant ideological shift, particularly highlighted during the pandemic. He previously engaged with the Trump administration to advocate for climate change and immigration reforms, but post-2020, he has moved towards more controversial stances. This transformation is speculated to be influenced by personal life challenges, including tensions with his trans daughter, and experiences during factory shutdowns due to COVID-19. Musk's increasing engagement with extreme online narratives and mental health struggles have contributed to a worrying detachment from his former values.

Intro

3min

The Contrarian Persona: Analyzing Motivations Behind Controversial Statements

2min

Navigating Constitutional Crisis and Governance in Modern America

2min

The Unlikely Alliance: Musk and Trump's Power Dynamic

3min

The Power and Peril of Silicon Valley

5min

Veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher has reported on Elon Musk for decades. In that time, they’ve talked publicly and privately on many occasions.

But not anymore.

Elon Musk is in the process of dismantling US government spending as the head of the new “Department of Government Efficiency”, better known as DOGE.

And Kara Swisher says the techno-dictatorship he’s building with Trump’s blessing is just the beginning.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Tech journalist Kara Swisher.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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