Consider This from NPR What does Elon Musk get out of remaking the government?
30 snips
Feb 4, 2025 
Zoe Schiffer, Director of Business and Industry at Wired and author of 'Extremely Hardcore Inside Elon Musk's Twitter,' dives deep into Elon Musk's controversial influence on the federal government. She discusses Musk's push to shrink the federal workforce and the tension it creates with legislators. The conversation unveils Musk's shifting political beliefs and ambitions, along with the implications of his access to critical government systems. Schiffer highlights the potential risks of having a billionaire hold such power in shaping policies that may benefit his business interests.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Musk's Motivation
- Elon Musk's motivations for taking on government role are complex.
- He wants to prevent perceived threats to his businesses and address global issues.
Political Shift
- Musk's political views shifted due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic and his perception of threats to electric vehicle subsidies.
- His involvement with Twitter stems from his concerns about a "woke mind virus."
Unchecked Power
- Musk's power is largely unchecked, despite not being elected or confirmed by the Senate.
- His wealth and government contracts, especially through Starlink, give him significant influence.