Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek columnist and co-host of the Elon Inc. podcast, dives into SoftBank's ambitious $100 billion investment plan in the U.S. under President-elect Trump, discussing its implications for tech industries like AI and semiconductors. He also explores the escalating rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman and its potential impact on the tech landscape. Additionally, Chafkin highlights emerging travel trends and consumer behaviors that are reshaping markets in a post-pandemic world.

Reporters Dana Hull and Max Chafkin discuss Elon Musk's recent trip to China for FSD negotiation, Tesla's strategic moves in the region, Musk's leadership decisions, Twitter's latest initiatives, and Musk's content strategy on X platform. The hosts also speculate on theoretical tag team fight scenarios involving influential figures.

Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek columnist and Elon Inc. co-host, discusses SpaceX's potential tender offer valued at $350 billion and its influence on Tesla's stock. Sydney Seiler examines South Korea's declaration of martial law and its geopolitical significance, particularly regarding North Korea. Ryan Detrick analyzes market trends, highlighting growth in small and mid-cap stocks. Amy Rubenstein shares strategies for investing in distressed housing, while Alexis Browne Roberts emphasizes adaptability in investment strategies amid current economic shifts.

Join Brad Stone, editor at Bloomberg Businessweek, as he sheds light on the shifting economic landscape and political dynamics shaping 2025. Tim Craighead reveals the 50 companies set to watch, while John Driscoll emphasizes the urgent need for fair wages and their benefits. Columnist Max Chafkin discusses tech rivalries, particularly between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Finally, Nikki Eckstein shares the hottest travel trends and eco-friendly destinations for the year ahead. Get ready for a thought-provoking exploration of business, technology, and travel!

Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek journalist, and Dana Hull, a reporter with deep insights into Elon Musk's ventures, dive into Musk's turbulent New Year. They discuss a shocking Cybertruck explosion near a Trump Hotel and its fallout on Tesla's already shaky sales numbers. The duo analyzes the growing media scrutiny surrounding Tesla and the complexities of Musk's political entanglements with the MAGA crowd. Their insights shed light on the challenges Musk faces in maintaining his empire amidst controversies and declining consumer perceptions.

Dana Hull, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Elon Musk and Tesla, joins Kurt Wagner, a social media expert, and Max Chafkin, a senior writer, to explore Musk's alliances with political figures like Donald Trump. They discuss the shifting user base from X to emerging platforms like Bluesky, highlighting user dissatisfaction and the implications for Musk's ventures. The dynamics of Musk's financial power amid political engagements are examined, as well as regulatory strategies that impact his businesses in the tech realm.

Microsoft is a household name when it comes to Word docs, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations, but it’s not the first name many people think of when it comes to cool new tech. At least until recently. The company’s big investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has now launched it to the forefront of tech innovation.  Bloomberg Businessweek writer Max Chafkin joins this episode to tell the story of how the company that once brought us Clippy the interactive paperclip became a power player in the new frontier of artificial intelligence. Read more: Microsoft’s Sudden AI Dominance Is Scrambling Silicon Valley’s Power Structure Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK  Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this discussion, Ed Price elaborates on the geopolitical landscape following Trump's election win. Michael McKee and Steven Skancke analyze the Fed's potential policy shifts and economic implications. Max Chafkin delves into Elon Musk's financial influence and relationship with Trump, raising questions about conflicts of interest. Louis Navellier shares insights on market reactions, including the 'Trump trade' phenomenon. The interplay between fiscal policies and economic forecasts paints a complex picture of the future under a familiar leader.

Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek reporter and author of 'The Contrarian', dives into Peter Thiel's surprising evolution from Silicon Valley oddball to a major political influencer. He discusses Thiel's mentorship of J.D. Vance and his impact on the GOP's hard-right shift post-2020. Chafkin also critiques Thiel's controversial views on democracy and online privacy, revealing how his ideologies resonate with a new generation of tech leaders. The conversation paints a vivid picture of how Thiel is reshaping conservative politics and its implications for the future.

Bloomberg Businessweek editor and author, Max Chafkin, talks about the unintended consequences of technology, how tech leaders wield political and social power, and the absence of theologians and philosophers in the emerging field of AI.