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On with Kara Swisher
Dissecting Elon Musk’s Hostile Takeover with Anne Applebaum, Eoin Higgins & Ryan Mac
Feb 6, 2025
In this insightful conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum, IT Brew reporter Eoin Higgins, and New York Times journalist Ryan Mac analyze Elon Musk's aggressive takeover of key government operations. They discuss the troubling implications of tech billionaires influencing democracy and governance, drawing parallels to historical regimes. The guests explore how Musk's actions challenge accountability in the digital age, as well as the potential for corporate tactics to undermine democratic values. Expect a captivating dive into the intersection of technology and politics.
01:00:17
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Quick takeaways
- Elon Musk's takeover strategy reflects a concerning autocratic approach, threatening institutional norms and transparency within U.S. government operations.
- The potential ethical conflicts arising from Musk's dual role as a tech leader and government influencer highlight risks to accountability and public service.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's Digital Playbook in Government
Elon Musk is implementing a strategy in the U.S. government reminiscent of his controversial takeover of Twitter. Following the same tactics, Musk's team is reportedly removing career staff from key governmental positions with little regard for established procedures, leading to concerns over a lack of transparency and accountability. This approach raises alarms about the potential erosion of institutional norms and governance in favor of a more autocratic style of rule. Notably, this pattern of behavior mirrors historical instances, such as Stalin's method of consolidating power by controlling personnel decisions.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode