Pivot Podcast Summary: "Elon Merges Companies, WHCA Cuts Comedian, and Guest Co-Host Jen Psaki"

Release Date: April 1, 2025 | Hosts: Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway | Guest: Jen Psaki

Introduction of Guest Co-Host: Jen Psaki

The episode kicks off with Kara Swisher welcoming Jen Psaki, the host of MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki," as a guest co-host in Scott Galloway's absence. Kara highlights Jen's transition from political communications to media, praising her for bringing fresh perspectives to the show.

Career Transition and Launch of "The Blueprint"

Jen Psaki delves into her career shift from serving as Joe Biden's press secretary to hosting her own media platforms. She discusses the challenges of adapting to television, such as mastering the teleprompter and finding her authentic voice. Jen introduces her podcast, "The Blueprint," originally intended as a short series but expanding due to positive reception.

Jen Psaki [03:12]: "The Blueprint is how do Democrats win again? So reflecting on what just happened, what people got wrong, but also looking ahead to what to change moving forward."

Trump Administration’s Communication Breakdown

The conversation shifts to the Trump administration's handling of internal scandals, specifically the potential firing of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Haig's controversial meetings involving sensitive information.

Jen Psaki [09:33]: "Every president I worked for is pissed off when the press rates things about them that are negative, even if they're entirely fair. But Trump is uniquely against the freedom of the press."

Jen outlines standard protocols during political scandals, emphasizing the lack of coordinated communication in Trump's team, which contrasts sharply with previous administrations.

Legal Pressure on Law Firms by the Trump Administration

Scott Galloway introduces the topic of Trump’s executive orders targeting specific law firms, aiming to punish those representing adversarial groups. Jen criticizes this approach as undermining the rule of law.

Jen Psaki [14:20]: "Making these sort of frontal deals with law firms feels counter to the rule of law... There's not a Democrat who's tried to do that."

They discuss the broader implications of such actions, noting that forcing law firms into compromising positions sets a dangerous precedent for presidential behavior.

Elon Musk’s Political Maneuvering and Company Mergers

The hosts analyze Elon Musk's substantial financial contributions to a conservative candidate in Wisconsin's State Supreme Court race, describing it as part of his broader political influence. They also delve into Musk's strategic merger of his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with his AI company XAI.

Scott Galloway [34:30]: "He's just putting money from one pocket into the other. And he may... bring Tesla in on this too, merging it into Tesla and then giving it an AI value."

Jen expresses skepticism about the financial motivations behind Musk’s moves, questioning whether these mergers obscure underlying business issues rather than addressing product improvements.

Tesla Takedown Protests and Democratic Strategy

The discussion turns to the widespread protests against Tesla, branded the "Tesla Takedown Movement," which aim to discourage purchases of Tesla vehicles and undermine Musk's influence.

Jen Psaki [31:04]: "It is taking the energy and anger that you are seeing from a lot of Democrats out there and directing it at Tesla now."

Jen suggests that while the protests are a valid expression of dissent against Musk's practices, they might benefit more from focusing on broader political issues like Trump's policies. She emphasizes the need for Democrats to channel their activism towards more impactful areas.

White House Correspondents Association Cancels Comedian Amber Ruffin’s Appearance

A significant portion of the episode addresses the White House Correspondents Association's (WHCA) decision to cancel comedian Amber Ruffin's appearance at their annual dinner following criticism from the Trump administration. Jen criticizes this move as capitulating to political pressures, undermining the tradition of using comedy to satirize the presidency.

Jen Psaki [43:40]: "This is agreeing to the terms he wants at a dinner that is supposed to be about preserving the value of the freedom and independence of the press."

Kara and Scott debate the implications of this cancellation, highlighting concerns about press freedom and the WHCA's response to political intimidation.

Trump’s Pattern of Pardoning Convicted Fraudsters

The hosts examine President Trump's recent pardons of individuals like Carlos Watson and Trevor Milton, analyzing the pattern of granting clemency to convicted fraudsters. They discuss the potential motivations behind these pardons and the broader impact on presidential accountability.

Jen Psaki [39:22]: "It's like he wants to validate his alliances with controversial figures... It's about validating him."

They consider how these actions might influence future administrations and the precedent they set for presidential pardons.

Merging of Elon Musk’s Companies: X and XAI

Jen and Scott delve deeper into Elon Musk's decision to merge his social media platform X with his AI company XAI. They debate whether this move is a strategic financial maneuver or a means to enhance AI capabilities within his business empire.

Scott Galloway [34:30]: "It's just putting money from one pocket into the other. And he may... merge it into Tesla and then give it an AI value."

Jen remains critical, suggesting that the merger may not address the operational challenges of either company and could be primarily for financial repositioning.

Elon Musk’s Influence and Potential Fallout

The discussion explores Musk’s dual role as a tech mogul and political influencer, questioning how sustainable his alliances with political figures like Trump are, especially if their interests diverge.

Jen Psaki [27:51]: "If Musk feels like a political problem to Trump... he won't be as around as much in the orbit."

They speculate on the potential consequences if Musk and Trump were to have a falling out, considering the impact on both political dynamics and Musk’s business ventures.

Protests Against Elon Musk and Tesla: Democratic Perspective

Jen and Scott assess the effectiveness and motivation behind the protests targeting Tesla and Musk, debating whether they serve as a constructive outlet for Democratic anger or merely distract from more pressing political issues.

Jen Psaki [31:04]: "I kind of wish these people were protesting about Trump and Social Security or Trump and something else."

Jen emphasizes the need for directing activism towards issues that have more substantial political ramifications.

White House Briefing Room and Media Access Issues

The hosts critique the current state of the White House briefing room, noting how the Trump administration has altered traditional media access, potentially sidelining independent and state-run media in favor of more favorable outlets.

Jen Psaki [49:06]: "They've essentially let in half state-run media to be the dominant sources of information in the pool."

They discuss the implications for press freedom and the necessity for media organizations to adapt to ensure transparent and unbiased reporting.

"Wins and Fails" Segment

In the concluding segment, Scott and Jen share their perspectives on recent political developments:

• Wins:

  • Republican Senators Defying Trump: Scott praises Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan for their independence and willingness to push back against Trump, highlighting their courage in maintaining integrity within the Republican Party.

  • Emerging Democratic Voices: Jen celebrates the re-emergence of figures like Tim Walls and Greg Kazar, who bring fresh and relatable voices to the Democratic discourse, focusing on issues that resonate with everyday voters.

Jen Psaki [58:49]: "Greg Kazar... speaks in plain English about how things impact people."

• Fails:

  • Democratic Leadership on Social Security: Jen criticizes Democratic leaders, particularly Chuck Schumer, for failing to effectively address and campaign on critical issues like Social Security, missing opportunities to engage and mobilize voters.

  • Amanda Ruffin’s Cancellation: She reiterates disappointment over the WHCA’s cancellation of Amber Ruffin’s appearance, viewing it as a setback for press freedom and media independence.

Jen Psaki [60:31]: "Chuck Schumer... is disappointing... We have to learn some lessons."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jen Psaki [09:33]: "Trump is obviously uniquely against the freedom of press."

• Jen Psaki [14:20]: "Making these sort of frontal deals with law firms feels counter to the rule of law."

• Jen Psaki [31:04]: "I kinda wish these people were protesting about Trump and Social Security or something else."

• Jen Psaki [43:40]: "This is agreeing to the terms he [Trump] wants at a dinner that is supposed to be about preserving the value of the freedom and independence of the press."

Conclusion

This episode of "Pivot" provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersecting worlds of politics, technology, and media. With Jen Psaki joining as a co-host, the conversation offers nuanced insights into the Trump administration's communication struggles, Elon Musk's political entanglements, and the evolving dynamics between the White House and the press. The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic activism, media independence, and principled leadership within both political parties.

For listeners who haven't tuned in, this episode delivers a detailed exploration of current events shaping the political and technological landscape, enriched by firsthand experiences and expert commentary from Jen Psaki.