The Prospect Podcast What’s next for Elon Musk?
Jul 2, 2025
Faiz Siddiqui, a technology reporter at the Washington Post and author of Hubris Maximus, discusses Elon Musk’s remarkable ascent, his fall from grace, and his complex political evolution. They delve into Musk's shift from liberal tech visionary to right-wing figure, explore how his ventures have impacted society, and the question of whether he truly is a genius. Faiz also shares his courtroom encounter with Musk and debates the broader implications of billionaires on tourism, touching on the challenges faced by places like Venice.
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Musk's Wide-Ranging Influence
- Elon Musk is deeply influential across many tech sectors, including autonomous cars, rockets, brain-computer interfaces, and AI.
- His projects reflect both innovation to improve humanity and intrusion into established systems.
Doge's Lasting Political Legacy
- The philosophy behind the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) is about shrinking government and deregulating.
- While Doge as an entity is diminished, its ideas and language have seeped into political discourse.
Musk's Vision and Platform Control
- Musk's transformation of Twitter into X shows his vision for minimal restrictions on speech, favoring his preferences.
- His broader ambition is putting humans on Mars, coupling tech disruption with cultural ideas like opposing 'wokeness'.