Pivot Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Brown and Bondi Beach Shootings, Trump's AI Executive Order, and Oracle Struggles
Hosts: Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway
Date: December 16, 2025
Publisher: New York Magazine & Vox Media Podcast Network
Episode Overview
This episode opens with the hosts forgoing their usual banter to address a weekend marked by tragedy: mass shootings at Brown University and a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, as well as the shocking news of Rob Reiner’s murder. From there, Kara and Scott dissect the wave of violence, surging antisemitism, gun culture in America versus Australia, and the media’s role in normalizing hate. The episode shifts gears into the tech/business realm: reactions to OpenAI’s “code red” posture, Oracle’s dramatic stock slide, the high-stakes streaming mergers, and President Trump’s controversial executive order aimed at overriding state-level AI regulations. The show ends with their signature “Wins and Fails”—delivering personal and societal reflections, and a heartfelt segment about friendship and caregiving.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Tragedy Strikes: Mass Shootings and the Killing of Rob Reiner
[02:05–16:12]
- Brown University shooting: 2 killed, 9 injured; shooter still at large at recording time.
- Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting (Australia): 15 killed by a father-son pair; a bystander (Ahmed Al Ahmad, a recent Syrian refugee) disarmed one attacker.
- Rob & Michelle Reiner found murdered in LA; son in custody.
- Kara and Scott lament Trump’s inflammatory and cruel Truth Social statement on Reiner’s death.
- Scott (on violence at Brown/Australia):
“Campuses … are supposed to be some of the safest places in the world physically, and some of the most dangerous places intellectually. Unfortunately, we’ve flipped the script.” [04:52]
- Scott highlights differences in America and Australia:
"They have one [mass shooting] every 27 years. We have one every 27 hours.” [05:45]
- Both hosts explore the roots of violence: alienation, radicalization, and gun accessibility.
- Rising antisemitism:
- Scott recounts considering displaying a Jewish symbol but facing family fear for safety [07:38].
- Explores historical hatred toward Jews and the inability to celebrate holidays in peace.
- Australian response:
- Kara predicts swift, decisive Australian action on gun control, in contrast to American paralysis:
“They’re going to do something about it and shut it down. … They will actually take action while we do not.” [14:18]
- Kara predicts swift, decisive Australian action on gun control, in contrast to American paralysis:
2. Reflecting on Rob Reiner: His Legacy & Trump’s Reaction
[16:32–19:45]
- Kara revisits Reiner’s major contributions in film (“A Few Good Men,” “The Princess Bride,” “Stand By Me,” “When Harry Met Sally,” etc.) and activism (gay marriage, children’s rights).
- Scott shares personal memories, emphasizing Reiner’s civic engagement.
- Memorable moment: Kara’s favorite Reiner line as an accountant in “Wolf of Wall Street.” [19:02]
3. AI and Tech: OpenAI, Google, and Disney’s Calculated Moves
[19:50–27:32]
- OpenAI “Code Red”:
- Sam Altman allegedly implemented and is now phasing out “code red” after competitive pressure from Google’s Gemini.
- OpenAI ends a policy requiring six months at the company before employee equity vests.
- Scott likens OpenAI’s trajectory to Netscape:
"Can they maintain momentum from 500 billion…? The thing that struck me, Kara, was I saw that SpaceX leaked a rumor that they're thinking about going public… SpaceX is trading much higher [valuation], despite slower growth, because atoms are more defensible than bits.” [20:23–21:53]
- AI Copyright & Disney:
- Google, after Disney’s legal threats, removes YouTube videos with unauthorized AI-generated Disney characters.
- Disney’s recent investment in OpenAI seen as strategic; securing a stake and more influence over AI use of its IP.
- Kara:
“I think they got learned a lot from social media… they wanted to pick one and then fight the others.” [23:16]
- Scott:
“Otherwise, if there’s only going to be one bidder in AI… you want as many bidders as possible.” [25:01]
- Comparison to YouTube’s early content issues: Lessons from NBC/SNL’s initial legal hostility, eventually replaced with partnership.
4. Oracle’s Stock Crash & the Streaming Merger Chessboard
[32:42–42:30]
- Oracle shares tank: Down 45% from highs amid cost overruns, delayed data centers, and big-bet AI contracts (notably, a $300B OpenAI deal that Scott suspects is ‘press release theatre’).
- Paramount’s quest to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery involves Oracle’s Larry Ellison as financier; board concern over lack of Ellison’s personal guarantee.
- Scott’s financial advice:
“Never sign a personal guarantee… It’s how smart rich people go broke.” [34:02]
- Merger stakes: Whoever lands Warner Bros. Discovery may “dramatically overpay,” leaving others scrambling (Apple and Disney speculation).
- Kara: “Get ready, Elizabeth Warren. You’re going to have some stuff going on.” [41:34]
- Both anticipate more massive mergers; Disney might soon become a target—possibly for Apple.
5. Trump’s AI Executive Order: States Rights and Tech Regulation
[44:24–48:00]
- President Trump’s new executive order aims to override state AI regulations, directing DOJ to sue states and withhold funds unless they comply with a federal agenda prioritizing "US global AI dominance." Child safety laws exempt.
- Opposition from within GOP (DeSantis, Marjorie Taylor Greene) and Democrats; consensus that order probably won’t survive court challenges.
- Kara:
"They don't want to pass federal laws that would actually make sense. Instead, they just want to play politics of power so they don't get regulation.” [44:54]
- Scott:
“The government is big on states’ rights—unless it’s AI … This is a false flag. They just want no regulation.” [45:58, 47:23]
- Both agree it’s “bullshit” politics, not genuine policy.
6. Wins & Fails: Personal and Policy Reflections
[51:23–62:37]
Kara’s Fail:
- Massive, preventable measles outbreak in the US (esp. South Carolina), blamed on anti-vax disinformation.
“The fact that anyone’s getting measles at all is like… To become best friend to measles is astonishing.” [51:24]
Kara’s Win:
- “Pluribus” episode of “The Gap,” hailed for its daring storytelling.
“It takes a set... to do this, the way they did it.” [54:25]
Scott’s Fail:
- Critiques “Face the Nation” and Margaret Brennan for parroting anti-abortion talking points and creating unnecessary doubts about the abortion drug mifepristone.
“That is nothing but whitewashed Sunday morning Vaseline over wholesale massage… an incredible far right talking point.” [54:53] “What are you thinking?” [57:04]
Scott’s Win:
- Personal: Honors friend David Kingsdale for caring selflessly for their terminally ill fraternity brother.
“The happiest people aren’t the ones who are loved the most. It’s the ones that have the most people to love.” [61:18]
- Recalls how deep relationships and giving love define real happiness.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On American vs Australian gun violence:
“They have one [mass shooting] every 27 years. We have one every 27 hours.”
— Scott Galloway [05:45] -
On displaying Jewish identity:
“Is there any other group in the world…that cannot celebrate their holidays in peace and without fear right now? That is what it means to be Jewish right now.”
— Scott Galloway [08:16] -
On OpenAI’s vulnerability:
“The amazing thing about a digital business is it can scale incredibly fast. The downside is that it can be disrupted almost as fast.”
— Scott Galloway [21:15] -
On politics behind AI regulation:
“They don’t want to pass federal laws that would actually make sense. Instead, they just wanna play politics of power.”
— Kara Swisher [44:54] -
On journalism’s responsibility:
“The framing of this question creates doubt around this drug… it is so irresponsible and such an abuse of a brand that has taken decades…”
— Scott Galloway [57:35] -
On caregiving and happiness:
“The happiest people aren’t the ones who are loved the most. It’s the ones that have the most people to love.”
— Scott Galloway [61:18]
Important Timestamps
- [02:05] Acknowledgement of Brown and Bondi Beach shootings
- [05:45] US vs Australia mass shooting frequency
- [07:38] Fear around displaying Jewish symbols
- [13:01]–[14:40] Gun violence, antisemitism, and policy differences between US and Australia
- [16:32]–[19:45] Rob Reiner's legacy and Trump's response
- [20:23]–[21:53] OpenAI, SpaceX, and financial defensibility discussion
- [44:24]–[48:00] Trump’s AI executive order and reaction
- [51:23]–[54:25] Wins and Fails: Kara (measles, “The Gap”/Pluribus)
- [54:25]–[58:33] Scott’s critique of “Face the Nation”
- [61:18]–[62:37] Scott’s win: Friendship, caregiving, and life meaning
Tone, Style, & Memorable Moments
- Devastation and frustration: The hosts open somberly, set aside banter due to the gravity of the subject.
- Sharp, profane, unfiltered: Frequent use of blunt language for emphasis, especially in describing Trump, violence, and failures of institutions.
- Cynicism toward politics: Skepticism about motives behind Trump’s AI executive order and both parties’ approach to regulation and gun control.
- Personal touches: Kara’s family’s Hanukkah, Scott’s personal anxiety about Jewish identity, and stories of friendship and caregiving in times of crisis.
- Wry humor: Despite heavy content, show includes asides about gay hockey romance, Grinch videos terrorizing children, and friendly ribbing.
Conclusion
This episode demonstrates Pivot’s trademark blend of incisive analysis, candid emotion, and irreverent wit. Kara and Scott peel back the layers behind tragic news, connect policy to people, and push back on hypocrisy—closing with reminders, both humorous and heartfelt, about community, justice, and the enduring work of love.
For further information or to submit questions: nymag.com/pivot