Kirsten Grind and Eric Lipton, investigative reporters at The New York Times, dive into Elon Musk's surprising leap into politics, revealing his motivations and ambitions amid Donald Trump's rise. They discuss Musk's transformation from tech mogul to political influencer, his extensive government contracts, and the potential benefits he stands to gain from a Trump administration. The conversation raises ethical concerns about billionaire influence in politics and how such power dynamics reshape governance and public interests.

Kirsten Grind, a tech investigations reporter with a keen focus on Elon Musk, and Becky Peterson, who covers Musk's ventures at The Information, delve into the volatile world of the billionaire. They dissect Tesla's struggles, including executive turnover and Musk's unpredictable decisions. The conversation shifts to the complexities of managing platforms like Twitter, the future of Neuralink, and the duality of Musk's leadership. With humor and insight, they explore the shifting perceptions of this tech icon amidst his myriad challenges.

Three top reporters covering Elon Musk discuss Tesla's executive departures, Twitter controversies, SpaceX's success, and Elon's political influence. They analyze Tesla's future, board composition, SpaceX IPO speculation, and ethical concerns around AI. The podcast delves into Elon's leadership style, business decisions, and challenges ahead amidst changing public sentiment.

In this enlightening discussion, Kirsten Grind, a New York Times reporter, delves into Elon Musk's ambitious vision for Mars and the interconnectedness of his companies. She reveals potential partnerships between Tesla and Musk's xAI and how this could impact Tesla's innovative edge. The conversation touches on the daunting challenges of colonizing Mars, from food supply to governance. Kirsten also highlights the delicate balance Musk must maintain in his multifaceted empire while addressing concerns over leadership focus amidst new ventures. Fascinating insights abound!

Silicon Valley goes out of its way not to upset countries around the world - even when that means making embarrassing compromises. But it has taken a stand against Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, limiting services or cutting them off entirely. What happens next? Recode’s Peter Kafka and the New York Times’ Shira Ovide both wrote about this separately, and now they’re talking about it together.Then, Wall Street Journal reporter Kirsten Grind talks about her new book, Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. Plus Kirsten reflects on her blockbuster reporting about the toxic culture at Activision.Featuring: Kirsten Grind (@kirstengrind), Investigative Reporter for Wall Street Journal and AuthorShira Ovide (@ShiraOvide), writer of the On Tech newsletter for the New York TimesHost: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at RecodeMore to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take on today's media landscape.About Recode by Vox: Recode by Vox helps you understand how tech is changing the world — and changing us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices