American Friction

Elon Musk, we hardly knew ye – with special guest Molly Jong-Fast

May 30, 2025
In this discussion, Molly Jong-Fast, a noted host from Vanity Fair and Fast Politics, dives into Elon Musk's potential exit from the political scene. She unpacks whether he's truly stepping back or still whispering in Trump's ear. They also tackle unexpected stories, like Trump's jabs at Harvard and the CIA's quirky approach to covert communications through Star Wars sites. Plus, catch Molly promoting her new book, 'How to Lose Your Mother,' which humorously explores midlife crises and personal survival.
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INSIGHT

Musk's Lingering Political Influence

  • Elon Musk's departure doesn't mean his influence in politics is gone; his ideological allies remain embedded in government.
  • Musk's approach misunderstood governmental complexity, seeing reforms as simple cuts instead of nuanced operations.
INSIGHT

Trump's War on Expertise

  • Trump's administration cuts funds from vital medical research, particularly hurting diseases and cancer trials.
  • These cuts reflect a broader war on expertise, science, and academia under his leadership.
INSIGHT

US Deficit Threatens Dollar

  • The new bill grows the deficit and threatens the dollar's status due to poor congressional management.
  • Dollar flight risks elevating the EU as the leader of the free world, potentially benefiting other countries.
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