Elon, Inc.

Max Chafkin, a Senior writer at Bloomberg Businessweek, and Madeline Mekelburg, Texas legal reporter for Bloomberg, dive into Elon Musk's latest venture—creating a new town called Starbase. They discuss Musk's battles with the SEC, the quirky welcome featuring a gold bust, and the implications of Musk's corporate influence on local governance. Controversies arise over community dynamics as Musk transforms a quiet area into a tech-driven hub, highlighting both hopes for innovation and challenges posed by corporate power.

Dive into the first 104 days of the Trump administration and its clash with Amazon's powerful influence. Hear about the fascinating economics of horse breeding, where retirement can be more lucrative than racing. Enjoy humorous anecdotes about bizarre media moments involving influencers and the absurdity of celestial theories that capture social media's imagination. Explore the excitement of the Kentucky Derby and how new betting trends are reshaping the landscape of horse racing.

Today marks the 100th day of the second Trump administration. It also means it’s been about 100 days since Elon Musk transformed the US Digital Service into what he and Trump contend is a government cost-cutting initiative named after Musk’s favorite crypto coin. With the Trump news cycle more intense than ever and Musk the fastest moving part of it, today’s episode of Elon, Inc. attempts to make sense of the past three-and-a-half months. What we do know is that the “Department of Government Efficiency” has only cut a fraction of the $2 trillion Musk initially promised, and that the South Africa native’s pledge of full transparency has come to nearly naught. Meanwhile, the entire effort is the subject of furious litigation over its arguably unconstitutional nature. Host David Papadopoulos gathers Max Chafkin, Dana Hull and Bloomberg technology reporter Kurt Wagner to break down Musk’s activities as his 130 days as a special government employee nears a close. What has been Musk’s biggest win? Biggest loss? What event has been the most surprising or under reported? The gang has its work cut out for them. Also, David, Dana and Max zero in on the robotaxi. Supposedly launching in Austin, Texas, in June, much of Tesla’s still-high valuation is bound up with Musk’s idea of a self-driving cab, and a lot of time was dedicated to it during last week’s Tesla earnings call. After years of promises, will the robotaxi actually see the light of day? How big of a fleet are we talking about? Will it survive an already crowded market? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the fourth (top secret) episode of Bloomberg Businessweek’s new podcast Everybody’s Business, hosts Max Chafkin and Stacey Vanek Smith grapple with the rise of the Man-o-sphere. Elon Musk is backing away from Doge, but his legacy will linger, and Max reveals the man behind Doge (hint: it’s not Elon) Then Sarah Frier joins the show to talk about the former talent agent who introduced President Trump to the Manosphere and how he politicized the space. And how one clip of President Trump talking to a podcast host about cocaine won the hearts and minds of the manosphere and put them squarely on team Trump. Finally, as the underrated story of the week, Stacey and Max discuss an AI tool invention that got a Columbia student suspended and then won him millions in venture capitalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This discussion features Sarah Frier, Bloomberg's technology editor, who delves into Neuralink's impressive advancements, including a groundbreaking chip implanted in a human brain. She explores the potential of enabling a quadriplegic man to play chess through thought alone. The conversation highlights Neuralink's ambitious goals and its continuing evolution amidst the controversies surrounding its controversial founder. Frier also touches on the company's fundraising efforts and what’s next on the horizon for neural technology by 2025.

Joining the discussion is Janet Lorin, a Bloomberg reporter focused on higher education finances. She delves into Harvard's standoff with the Trump administration over funding, emphasizing the crucial implications for the university and its future. The talk shifts to the broader impacts of tariffs on various industries, highlighting unexpected winners and losers. Lastly, they explore an all-female crew's recent journey to the edge of space, discussing its significance in the evolving landscape of space travel and gender representation.

Dana Hull, a seasoned reporter on Elon Musk, joins forces with Wired's Makena Kelly to dissect the recent silence surrounding DOGE and what it means for Musk's business priorities. They explore potential political maneuvers linked to DOGE and the IRS's efforts to modernize, examining the implications for government efficiency. The conversation shifts to Tesla's stock volatility amid market uncertainties, raising questions about investor sentiment as the earnings report looms. This insightful dialogue uncovers the intricate relationship between cryptocurrency and political dynamics.

Tracy Alloway and Mark Gurman dive into the chaotic impact of tariffs on the tech world. Alloway, a financial markets expert, discusses how President Trump's tariff strategies rattled the bond market, prompting a sudden policy pause. Gurman, Bloomberg's tech correspondent, unpacks the dilemma Apple faces with rising prices and consumer reactions as tariffs loom. The duo also intriguingly connects trade policies to the ancient howl of extinct species, blending economics with unexpected scientific discoveries.

Nancy Cook, a Senior correspondent in Washington known for her political analysis, joins the discussion on the turbulent relationship between Elon Musk and the Trump administration. The podcast dives deep into how recent tariffs are hitting Tesla hard, affecting stock prices and supply chains. Tensions are rising, with Musk clashing publicly with Trump ally Peter Navarro. The conversation also touches on Musk's waning political influence and the challenges he faces in balancing innovation with the demands of political alliances.

The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, examining their potential impact on the economy and consumer prices. Next, there's buzz about high-stakes negotiations involving TikTok's future in the U.S., with major investors potentially stepping in. Listeners will also be entertained by the cultural significance of TikTok amidst tech and regulatory challenges. Finally, the podcast highlights innovative designs in baseball, including the unique torpedo bat, promising to change the game.