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May 4, 2025 Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post tech reporter and author of 'Hubris Maximus,' delves into the complexities of Elon Musk's power. He discusses the tragic implications of Tesla's autopilot technology following a fatal accident. The conversation highlights Musk's unconventional leadership during the pandemic, showcasing his detachment and controversial decisions. Siddiqui also examines Musk's surprising political alignment and how his actions influence public perception, raising questions about corporate responsibility and the weight of influence in tech.
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Tesla Autopilot Fatal Crash
- Walter Huang, a Tesla Model X owner and software engineer at Apple, trusted Tesla's autopilot deeply.
- He died in 2018 after the autopilot system crashed the car into a highway barrier on autopilot mode.
Musk Clashes With NTSB
- Elon Musk had a heated 27-minute phone call with NTSB chair Bob Sumwalt over Tesla's autopilot crash investigation.
- Musk hung up abruptly, resisting scrutiny and trying to control the narrative on the fatal crash.
Musk's COVID Factory Defiance
- During the COVID-19 shutdown, Musk made himself unreachable to stall factory expenses.
- He defied California orders to reopen Tesla's plant, leading to hundreds of COVID cases and the reassignment of Tesla's automotive president.
