Podcast Summary: On with Kara Swisher – "The 'Elon Election': What It Means For America and Musk"

Release Date: November 4, 2024
Host: Kara Swisher
Guests: Tim Higgins (Wall Street Journal columnist), Zoe Schiffer (Wired’s Director of Business and Industry), Eva Doe (Washington Post tech policy reporter)

Introduction: The Elon Factor in a Critical Election

In this pivotal episode of On with Kara Swisher, host Kara Swisher delves into the extraordinary influence of Elon Musk on the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Taped on October 31st, the episode dissects how Musk, though not a candidate, has emerged as a central figure influencing the election's dynamics through his financial contributions, social media prowess, and strategic endorsements.

Elon’s Active Role in the Election

Kara Swisher opens with a candid assessment of Musk's overt support for former President Donald Trump. She states, “Elon has gone old school oligarch, using his money, his megaphone and his contacts to put his very heavy hand on the election scale” (07:24). This unmasking of Musk as a de facto power broker sets the stage for a deep dive into his tactics and motivations.

Notable Quote:
Kara Swisher: “This is an opportunity mostly for him.” (03:00)

Musk's Wild Strategies and Public Persona

The guests highlight some of Musk's unconventional methods to sway voters. Zoe Schiffer recounts Musk’s “lottery” scheme, where he initiated a potentially illegal plan to award $1 million daily to individuals in swing states who signed pro-Trump petitions (04:54). This bold move has sparked investigations and raised questions about the ethical boundaries Musk is willing to push.

Notable Quote:
Zoe Schiffer: “This lottery is the kind of thing that I think was not the kind of thing we'd seen in elections before.” (05:27)

Megaphone vs. Money: Leveraging Influence

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around whether Musk's financial contributions or his massive social media presence (his “megaphone”) have a more substantial impact on the election. Eva Doe posits that the megaphone currently holds the most influence, especially in the final moments before voting (11:15). Tim Higgins and Christian Caster concur, emphasizing that Musk's ability to amplify conservative voices on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) is unparalleled.

Notable Quote:
Eva Doe: “At this moment, maybe the megaphone.” (11:15)

Notable Quote:
Zoe Schiffer: “The megaphone is appealing to people who wouldn't necessarily be as excited about the election.” (11:32)

Implications for Candidates and Policy

Kara explores the historical context of Musk's support, noting his previous backing of Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. The transformation became evident after July, with Musk publicly endorsing Trump and leveraging his platform to promote Republican ideologies.

Notable Quote:
Kara Swisher: “He's been using X to boost Republican voices for years.” (09:46)

The conversation shifts to the potential outcomes based on the election results:

• Trump Victory: Musk could secure a significant role in the administration, potentially as the “Secretary of Cost Cutting”, influencing major policy decisions to favor deregulation and reduced government spending.

  Notable Quote:
  Kara Swisher: “He could begin working in the administration.” (25:53)

• Harris Victory: While this scenario might impose more regulatory scrutiny on Musk's ventures, the guests suggest that the dependency of the government on Musk's businesses like SpaceX and Starlink could limit the administration's ability to curtail his influence effectively.

Notable Quote:
Eva Doe: “Starlink is actually mentioned in Trump's election platform.” (35:51)

Business Impacts: Twitter/X, SpaceX, and Tesla

The episode delves into how Musk's political maneuvers are intertwined with his business interests:

• Twitter/X: Musk’s takeover has transformed the platform into a right-wing echo chamber, raising concerns about misinformation and the suppression of dissenting voices. Christian Caster highlights Musk’s manipulation of the platform's algorithms to favor conservative content, pointing out inconsistencies in his free speech claims (16:08).

  Notable Quote:
  Christian Caster: “Every accusation he makes is a confession of something he's done.” (18:42)

• SpaceX and Starlink: These companies are pivotal to Musk's influence, with significant government contracts that could be leveraged under a Trump administration to further military and surveillance capabilities.

  Notable Quote:
  Eva Doe: “Starlink is a field overwhelmingly dominated by Starlink and no one else at this moment.” (37:16)

• Tesla: Despite Musk's initial resistance to subsidies, Tesla has thrived under both Republican and Democratic policies, though a Trump administration might present challenges with potential trade escalations, especially concerning Musk's business interests in China.

  Notable Quote:
  Zoe Schiffer: “Tesla has benefited greatly from governments wanting an EV industry.” (40:25)

National Security and International Relations

Concerns about Musk’s international ties come to the forefront as the podcast discusses his connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders. These relationships pose significant national security risks, especially considering Musk's control over critical technologies like Starlink.

Notable Quote:
Zoe Schiffer: “Here's a man who has top secret clearance and his fingers in very important parts of the US Government.” (47:07)

Eva Doe further underscores how Musk's interactions with Putin and other non-traditional contractors blur the lines between business and intelligence operations, heightening security vulnerabilities.

Notable Quote:
Eva Doe: “He's meeting with Putin, Netanyahu in the middle of a war.” (49:04)

Future Scenarios: Post-Election Landscape

The guests speculate on the long-term implications of Musk's involvement:

• Under Trump: Musk's political agenda would likely be institutionalized, enabling him to influence regulatory bodies and push for minimal government interference, akin to his approach with Twitter/X.

  Notable Quote:
  Christian Caster: “We see Musk's political power codified.” (54:12)

• Under Harris: While there might be more regulatory challenges, the existing dependence on Musk's enterprises would complicate attempts to curtail his influence. The administration might prioritize maintaining productive relationships over stringent regulatory actions.

  Notable Quote:
  Eva Doe: “If Harris is elected, there's probably going to be more scrutiny and concern about him.” (53:50)

Conclusion: The Unstoppable Musk

Kara Swisher wraps up the episode by reflecting on Musk’s insatiable drive and ability to remain at the center of chaos, irrespective of the election outcome. Zoe Schiffer predicts that Musk will continue to be a pivotal figure, shaping policies and business landscapes with or without a Trump presidency.

Notable Quote:
Zoe Schiffer: “He's going to be in the center of more chaos. That's where he wants to be.” (51:47)

Kara emphasizes the transformative and potentially destabilizing role Musk plays in American politics and global affairs, urging listeners to critically assess the implications of his unprecedented influence.

Key Takeaways:

• Elon Musk’s Influence: Beyond his business ventures, Musk is a formidable political influencer, leveraging his wealth and social media to shape electoral outcomes favoring his preferred candidates and policies.

• Impact on Policy and Regulation: Musk's potential role in the administration could lead to significant deregulation, impacting industries from tech to space exploration.

• National Security Concerns: Musk's international ties and control over critical technologies pose substantial security risks, necessitating vigilant oversight.

• Business Implications: Companies like Twitter/X, SpaceX, and Tesla are deeply entwined with Musk’s political maneuvers, affecting their operational dynamics and strategic directions.

• Future Projections: Regardless of election results, Musk’s relentless pursuit of influence ensures that he remains a central figure in shaping the socio-political and economic fabric of the nation.

Final Note: As the election day approaches, Musk's strategic moves underscore a new era where billionaires wield unprecedented power over political landscapes, challenging traditional democratic norms and raising critical questions about the intersection of wealth, power, and governance.