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#92: The Signal Scandal & DOGE Drama! (with Ben Smith and Nicholas Carlson)

Mar 28, 2025
Join media heavyweights Ben Smith, founder of Semafor, and Nick Carlson, founder of Dynamo, as they dive into the juicy collision between Washington and Silicon Valley. They tackle the Signal Group Chat Scandal and dissect how DOGE's popularity reveals deep ideological rifts. The conversation shifts to China overtaking Tesla and Elon Musk's changing public perception. They explore the impact of AI on creative industries and the media landscape, serving up insights on trust, transparency, and the evolving dynamics of journalism in today's tech-centric world.
55:04

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Elon Musk faces declining support amid Tesla's performance issues and increased competition from companies like BYD in the EV market.
  • The Doge initiative reflects a schism between views of efficiency and ideological dismantling, showcasing tension between Silicon Valley and DC perspectives.

Deep dives

Shifting Sentiment on Elon Musk

The sentiment surrounding Elon Musk is beginning to shift, with a growing divide among supporters and skeptics. Although a certain segment in Silicon Valley still views him favorably, sentiments among swing voters appear to be turning negative as issues surrounding Tesla’s performance and his management approach at Twitter become apparent. This change is largely attributed to mounting challenges Tesla is facing in the competitive electric vehicle market, particularly with companies like BYD gaining traction. The concerns suggest that Musk may be unable to maintain his current focus on Doge if Tesla continues to struggle, raising questions about the sustainability of his various ventures.

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