On with Kara Swisher

Jane Fonda, actress and lifelong activist focused on climate, democracy, and social justice. She discusses treating climate and democratic threats as linked crises. She explains building a climate PAC and local electoral strategies. She talks about protecting free expression, confronting industry consolidation, and turning despair into action through organized campaigns.

Abbe Lowell, a longtime Washington defense attorney who left big firm life to defend those targeted by the Trump administration. He discusses why firms avoid politically risky cases. He explains categories of targeted people, security clearance revocations, strategic litigation to block executive overreach, and how judges and institutions are responding.

Lawrence Lessig, Harvard law professor and founder of Equal Citizens, fights institutional corruption and Super PAC influence. He explains how tech and big money warped politics. He outlines legal strategies to curb Super PACs, warns about AI and engagement-driven harm, and champions citizen assemblies as democratic repair.

Ben Collins, former disinformation reporter turned CEO of The Onion, revived the satirical paper with a print relaunch and bold digital moves. He discusses satire’s role when reality outpaces parody. They explore satire vs. cruelty, punching up at power, competing with absurd real-world news, print strategy, and an attempted Infowars takeover.

RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, leads an EV maker known for the R1T/R1S and the upcoming affordable R2. He discusses pricing strategy, how R2 could be the company’s make-or-break product, competition from Chinese makers and Tesla, the Volkswagen software partnership, and Rivian’s push into in-house autonomy and compute.

Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis and the city’s chief executive, discusses the federal ICE and Border Patrol deployment and DOJ subpoenas. He describes legal fights, community safety measures, the scale of federal operations, and why he calls the presence an invasion. He urges national solidarity and explains local limits and responses.

Renée DiResta, an expert on online disinformation, Hany Farid, a pioneer in digital image forensics, and tech journalist Casey Newton delve into the ramifications of X's new in-app tool that allows users to alter photos. They discuss the alarming rise in non-consensual deepfakes, particularly involving minors. The guests tackle the failures of regulators and app stores to intervene, the incoherent free-speech defense of such abuses, and the need for accountability. Ultimately, they envision a safer internet while cautioning about the threat of advanced AI tools.

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethicist who helped shape the Affordable Care Act, shares insights from his latest book. He argues that the obsession with longevity often overshadows meaningful living. Emanuel critiques wellness fads for complicating healthy habits and emphasizes the importance of social relationships. He discusses the balance of moderate drinking, the risks of smoking and vaccine hesitancy, and proposes sensible nutrition, urging people to embrace simple joys—like eating ice cream—while maintaining health.

Ro Khanna, a U.S. Representative from California and former Obama official known for his focus on technology policy and economic justice, discusses pressing issues like the dire conditions in ICE facilities after his visit. He advocates for the full release of Epstein files, linking elite impunity to the erosion of trust in authority. Khanna also addresses a proposed 5% wealth tax on billionaires, urging economic independence for Democrats as they prepare for upcoming elections. Ambitiously eyeing a future presidential run, he emphasizes accountability and bipartisan collaboration.

Imran Ahmed, Founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, tackles online hate and disinformation. He shares how he became a target of the Trump administration and Elon Musk for aligning tech accountability with individual rights. The conversation dives into disinformation during the pandemic, the challenges tech companies face in balancing moderation, and the implications of AI harm. Imran argues for transparency and accountability, while also detailing the pressing legal battles he faces to continue his advocacy work.