Elon, Inc.
Bloomberg
Elon Musk’s sprawling business empire has granted the billionaire a degree of power and global influence that transcends the industries he’s reshaped. He is the leader of no fewer than six hugely influential companies, spanning electric vehicles to wartime communications, and their innovations could shape the fates of nations.
Musk is polarizing, confounding and inescapable. And he is the biggest business story of our time.
Each week, listen in as host David Papadopoulos convenes a panel of Bloomberg Businessweek journalists who are tracking Musk’s companies and the surprising ways they intersect. They break down the business mogul's latest moves and analyze what they could mean for us all.
Musk is polarizing, confounding and inescapable. And he is the biggest business story of our time.
Each week, listen in as host David Papadopoulos convenes a panel of Bloomberg Businessweek journalists who are tracking Musk’s companies and the surprising ways they intersect. They break down the business mogul's latest moves and analyze what they could mean for us all.
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 40min
Elon, Inc. Over and Out
In this fascinating discussion, Dana Hull, Bloomberg's Musk reporter, teams up with fellow experts to reflect on Elon Musk's tumultuous journey from Twitter's rebranding to his corporate comeback. They recount memorable moments, including Musk's interactions with advertisers and Trump. The team humorously speculates on Musk's political ambitions while highlighting his influence on tech and business. From whimsical anecdotes about a Tesla showroom at the White House to serious critiques of his recent challenges, the conversation blends entertainment with insight into Musk's complex legacy.
24 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 32min
Will Elon Get Paid $1,000,000,000,000?
Kurt Wagner, a Bloomberg tech reporter, sheds light on the wildly speculative $1 trillion pay package Elon Musk could receive from Tesla. They dive into the ambitious goals Musk must meet, like hitting an $8.5 trillion market value and delivering a million robots. The conversation also touches on Tesla's potential investment in Musk's AI venture, xAI, and how the shareholder vote lacks binding authority. Wagner navigates the murky waters of corporate governance and AI's role in Tesla's future, making for an engaging discussion.
50 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 26min
Tesla's Master Plan, Part Quattro
Craig Trudell, Bloomberg Autos editor, joins the discussion to dissect Tesla’s newly unveiled Master Plan, Part 4. He addresses the company’s significant pivot towards AI, emphasizing the implications of the humanoid robot Optimus, which Musk claims could comprise 80% of Tesla's value. Trudell reflects on the diminishing focus on sustainable energy and the vague new plan's lack of actionable details. The conversation also touches on Tesla's recent auto sales struggles, competition, and how changing priorities may impact its future direction.
9 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 15min
Forget the Cagefight: Are Elon and Mark Friends Again?
Dana Hull, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Elon Musk, dives into the whirlwind of Musk's latest ventures. She discusses the lawsuit by XAI against Apple, questioning claims of collusion. Hull shares insights into Musk's past attempts to collaborate with Mark Zuckerberg, humorously recalling their once-discussed cage fight. They also explore 'Ani,' an anime-style digital companion from Grok, speculating on its potential to boost user engagement as it plays into Musk's vision of deepening connections between users and digital avatars.
45 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 25min
In Elon's Silicon Valley, Drug Use Was Par for the Course
Kirsten Grind, a New York Times reporter, dives into her exposé on Elon Musk's alleged drug use and the broader drug culture in Silicon Valley. She discusses how tech entrepreneurs often self-medicate to cope with stress and enhance creativity. The conversation also touches on Musk's chaotic personal life and the implications of his public controversies. Grind explores the intersection of ambition, mental health, and performance enhancement, highlighting the high-stakes nature of success in the tech industry.
15 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 23min
So What Did Musk Accomplish With ‘DOGE’?
Makena Kelly, a Senior writer at Wired, dives into the controversial legacy Elon Musk left behind in Washington. They discuss the fallout from Musk's drastic cuts to government programs, including the devastating global consequences linked to the dismantling of USAID. The conversation also touches on the rise of Dogecoin, its ties to political events, and the tension it creates in government operations. With future predictions looming, Kelly and the host explore the broader implications for supporters and skeptics of Musk's initiatives.
29 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 33min
Elon Gets $30 Billion to Stick Around, Boring is Largely Stuck
Missy Cummings, Director of Mason's Autonomy and Robotics Center, dives into Tesla's recent legal challenges, highlighting the implications of the jury's ruling that found the company partly responsible for a fatal crash linked to its self-driving technology. She warns that this verdict poses a significant setback for autonomous vehicles. The conversation also explores Elon Musk's staggering $30 billion stock payout to remain focused on Tesla amid these turmoil, and the struggles of The Boring Company, which continues to face mounting operational challenges despite recent contracts.
6 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 32min
Elon Opens a Restaurant, Strikes a Chip Deal, Dreams of Robots
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.
24 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 35min
Musk’s Trump Feud Is Still Hurting His Empire
Ed Ludlow, a Bloomberg News reporter focusing on tech, joins Dana Mattioli, Wall Street Journal reporter and author, to discuss the fallout from Elon Musk's feud with Donald Trump. They delve into how this conflict impacts Musk’s companies like Tesla and SpaceX, revealing struggles in investment and public perception. Mattioli offers insights into Musk's family dynamics, including his numerous children and controversial tactics involving their mothers. They explore how personal choices intersect with Musk’s ambitious visions for both Earth and Mars.
19 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 35min
Forget DOGE. Musk Is Suddenly All In on AI
Kurt Wagner, a Bloomberg News reporter specializing in Elon Musk, interviews Teddy Schleifer from the New York Times, who covers political money and billionaires. They delve into Musk's ambitions for his AI company, xAI, discussing its quirky Grok 4 chatbot and its ties to SpaceX. Wagner and Schleifer explore Musk's influential yet unofficial role during the Trump administration, highlighting his attempts to sway political decisions. The conversation reveals the intricate interplay between Musk's tech ventures and political aspirations.
