Elon Opens a Restaurant, Strikes a Chip Deal, Dreams of Robots

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Jul 29, 2025

Join Dana Hull, Bloomberg's insightful reporter on all things Elon Musk, and Ike Swetlitz, health reporter diving into Neuralink's ambitions. They discuss Tesla’s rocky earnings call, where Musk flagged potential struggles ahead. Excitingly, Tesla announces a $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung while dreaming big about humanoid robots. Meanwhile, Neuralink's progress on brain implants hints at a future where technology and thought may intertwine. As Musk opens a quirky diner in Hollywood, protests ensue, showcasing the mixed emotions around his ventures.

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INSIGHT

Tesla's Rough Road Ahead

Tesla faces tough quarters ahead due to declining sales and shifting policies in Washington.
Elon Musk signals that the traditional automotive market is in significant trouble.

INSIGHT

Tesla Fans Embrace Robot Future

Tesla enthusiasts strongly believe in the future of robotaxis and the Optimus humanoid robot.
The community mixes passionate car owners and investors who view Tesla as more than just an automaker.

INSIGHT

Tesla's Hollywood Diner Experience

Tesla opened a new diner in Hollywood combining a diner, supercharging stations, and a movie experience.
It aims to be a tourist attraction and a unique brand marketing experience for Tesla.

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The growing blowback from years of spreading conspiracy theories, embracing far-right political causes and attempting to dismantle the US government (with calamitous results for millions) might have finally taken its toll on Elon Musk and his companies. Or perhaps not.

Last week’s Tesla earnings call ended on a somber note, with world’s richest man declaring his struggling and divisive electric car company could have “a few rough quarters” ahead. With revenue down 12% and the political climate for electric vehicles darkening courtesy of his former boss in the White House, who can blame him?

But nothing is ever absolute when it comes to the world’s most famous living native of South Africa. Mere days later, Tesla announced a new $16.5 billion chip deal with Samsung, and over the weekend a now-jolly Musk proclaimed in his usual hyperbolic manner that Tesla might rake in $30 trillion per year from sales of its humanoid robot (yes, with a T). Oh, and on July 21, Tesla opened its first diner in the heart of Hollywood. Alongside a $9 grilled cheese sandwich and a contentious, four-story movie screen, protests immediately followed.

On this week’s episode Max Chafkin discusses all the latest Tesla news with Bloomberg’s Elon Musk reporter, Dana Hull. The duo also welcome Bloomberg health reporter Ike Swetlitz to hear about the latest from Neuralink, Musk’s brain implant company. In the spirit of Musk’s dreams of robot trillions, that company proclaimed it expects $1 billion in annual revenue by 2031, with chips inserted into 20,000 brains annually. Currently, the number is nine. But maybe a bionic eye will prompt second looks.

Also, Chafkin and Hull take a look at the latest news from Musk’s tunnel company Boring, which just scored a deal to drill a passage in red state Tennessee, from downtown Nashville to the city’s airport. If history is any guide, there might be a hiccup or two.

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