Zoë Schiffer, the incoming director of business and industry at Wired and author of "Extremely Hardcore: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter," provides keen insights into Elon Musk's complex relationship with the Republican Party and his significant role in Trump's campaign. She discusses Musk's impulsive Twitter takeover and its political implications, including the shift from neutrality to a powerful political player. Schiffer also explores the rivalry dynamics between Musk and Trump and how their actions may shape the future of technology and governance.
Elon Musk's political evolution, especially his alignment with the Republican Party, reflects a complex interplay between business interests and political ambitions.
The chaotic restructuring of Twitter under Musk’s leadership highlights the risks of prioritizing immediate financial goals over long-term stability and decision-making.
Deep dives
New Reward System at Baker's
A new rewards program allows customers to choose between saving on fuel or getting discounts on future purchases. Customers continue to earn points with every shop at Baker's, and they can redeem these points to save up to $1 per gallon at participating fuel stations or use them towards discounts on their next transactions. This flexibility encourages more shopping by allowing customers to decide how to use their rewards based on their immediate needs. Such a program represents a fresh approach to customer loyalty, ensuring that the rewards are more meaningful and user-centric.
Elon Musk's Political Alignment
Elon Musk's growing alignment with the Republican Party is highlighted in the discussion of his political evolution, particularly following the banning of President Trump from Twitter in early January 2021. This incident was seen as an overreach by Musk, leading him to make impulsive decisions that showcased his desire to control the platform he was addicted to. As he began buying Twitter shares, analysts suggest that rather than having a grand strategy, Musk operated on instinct, presenting a duality where he responded to opportunities and risks. The narrative illustrates how Musk's actions have intertwined his business interests with political ambitions, especially by influencing voter dynamics.
Transformation of Twitter Under Musk
Once Musk took control of Twitter, now known as X, the platform underwent rapid and often chaotic changes aimed at cost-cutting and restructuring. Musk's approach involved significant layoffs, including critical engineering staff, which raised concerns about the platform's stability and decision-making processes. While the media speculated on the potential collapse of the platform due to these drastic measures, it managed to remain operational, albeit with noticeable issues. This period illustrates Musk's tendency to prioritize immediate financial goals, showcasing how such strategies can backfire in the long term, especially if applied to more significant institutions like the federal government.
As Elon Musk channeled his considerable resources towards Donald Trump’s campaign, there was talk about what his role in the new Trump administration would be. If his stint leading Twitter is any indication, the federal government could be in for a bumpy ride.
Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Patrick Fort, Cheyna Roth and Alyssa Jeong Perry.