On with Kara Swisher The Onion’s Owner on Satire, Infowars, Defending Democracy & Trump
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Apr 7, 2025 Jeff Lawson, owner of The Onion and co-founder of Twilio, dives into his recent ventures blending satire and democracy. He discusses the critical role of political satire in today’s climate and why it’s essential for defending democracy, especially with the looming Trump 2.0 era. Lawson shares his ambitious plans to revitalize The Onion and reflect on the importance of humor in navigating societal issues. He also tackles the complexities of DEI initiatives, suggesting they can sometimes hinder rather than help.
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Versity's Rise and Fall
- Jeff Lawson left college early to start an online note-taking company, Versity, during the rise of the internet.
- The company saw initial success, went public, but ultimately went bankrupt, teaching Lawson valuable lessons about entrepreneurship.
Lawson's Twilio Exit
- Jeff Lawson was fired from Twilio, the company he founded, due to pressure from activist investors.
- Lawson reflects that he should have treated the situation as "wartime" and managed the board more actively.
Twilio's Function and Success
- Twilio provides communication infrastructure for software developers to embed in apps.
- It powers trillions of communications yearly, benefiting from the mobile boom's timing.