Elon, Inc.

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.

Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek senior writer, and Dana Hull, a reporter covering Elon Musk, delve into Musk's latest mega-merger of X with XAI, transforming his tech ventures into a $100 billion powerhouse. They analyze the strategic implications of this bold move and what it means for shareholders and the future of social media in AI training. Additionally, they discuss Musk's significant political influence in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, revealing how his financial contributions may tilt the election and impact broader market sentiments.

Max Chafkin, a senior writer at Bloomberg Businessweek, discusses how Elon Musk's hefty financial contributions are shaping political dynamics in Wisconsin, especially in the upcoming Supreme Court race. Steve Mann, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, provides an optimistic forecast for Tesla sales, despite the challenges the company faces, such as production shifts and factory changes. They also explore the broader effects of wealth on politics and the potential ripple effects of Musk's influence on national elections.

Judd Legum, the founder of Musk Watch, dives into the whirlwind of Elon Musk's influence on U.S. politics and his unsettling partnership with Donald Trump. He shares insights on the challenges of tracking Musk's far-reaching political maneuvers and legal troubles. The conversation also touches on Musk's chaotic leadership style and its impact on organizations, as well as his ambitious plans in the space industry. Legum emphasizes the critical need for data-driven journalism to hold power accountable in an era where wealth often trumps governmental oversight.

Max Chafkin, a Bloomberg Businessweek journalist, and Amanda Mull, columnist and author on Elon Musk's branding missteps, delve into the intriguing world of Musk's ventures. They discuss Tesla’s struggles with brand identity, highlighting how controversial messaging may alienate key customers. The conversation also touches on SpaceX’s successes, competition in the space industry, and the rising threat to Starlink. Their insights reveal the complex interplay between Musk's political ties and business strategies, making for a captivating listen.

He may be the world’s richest person and a personal pal of Donald Trump, but even Elon Musk can have a bad week. Not only has Tesla stock continued to crater as consumers worldwide turn their back on the South Africa-born multibillionaire (some violently) but his right-wing social network X was hit by sporadic outages he blamed on hackers. Even one of his SpaceX rockets blew up, raining debris down on the Earth and endangering passenger airliners. A big part of Musk’s waning popularity is of course tied to his starring role in gutting the US government on behalf of Trump—and even there he’s not as loved as he once was. On this episode to discuss all of this are Bloomberg Businessweek senior writer Max Chafkin and Elon Musk reporter Dana Hull. Later, Bloomberg stocks reporter Esha Day talks about how the markets have been treating Musk of late. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Elon Musk is busy in Washington, his publicly traded company has been suffering. Having skyrocketed in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s election, Tesla is now in free fall and increasingly a target of protesters. Every weekend, more people have shown up at Tesla dealerships across the US with signs and chants, demonstrating against Musk’s effort to gut federal regulators and agencies while firing tens of thousands or workers with Trump’s blessing. Overseas, it might be even worse for the carmaker: Tesla sales have collapsed in Europe. Maybe betting on Trump boosting Musk’s companies wasn’t the smartest move for investors after all? To debate that and more, David Papadopoulos is joined by Bloomberg editor Craig Trudell as well as Elon Musk reporter Dana Hull and Bloomberg Businessweek Senior Reporter Max Chafkin. Also, after a lull, the feuds are back, and this time they’re bigger than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Kurt Wagner, Bloomberg social media reporter, Dana Hull, Musk's business ventures expert, and McKenna Kelly, Wired reporter on Musk's political ties, as they delve into the chaos of Musk's controversial directive to federal workers about performance reporting. They explore Dogecoin's evolution under Musk's influence and its quirky origins. The trio also discusses the broader implications of Musk's management tactics and their effect on government efficiency, revealing the tangled web of politics, technology, and social media in today's landscape.

Dana Hull, a journalist from Bloomberg Businessweek, dives deep into the whirlwind of recent events surrounding Elon Musk. She discusses the controversial federal agency visits that may have led to the illegal disclosure of sensitive data and the mass layoffs affecting federal workers. The conversation shifts to protests against Musk's practices at Tesla showrooms, the dubious retraction of a $400 million Cybertruck order, and the curious intertwining of Doge currency's influence on government reforms. Hull's insights provoke critical questions about transparency and accountability.

In this discussion, Bloomberg reporter Josh Wingrove and New York Magazine's John Herrman delve into Elon Musk's controversial maneuvers in Washington and Silicon Valley. Wingrove highlights the legal challenges Musk faces, raising questions about potential constitutional crises. Herrman explores how Musk's business decisions, including a failed approach to acquire OpenAI, intertwine with his political endorsements and strategies. Together, they unravel the complex relationships between Musk's ventures, government influence, and the tech industry’s evolving landscape.