Pivot Podcast Episode Summary Episode Title: Internet’s Luigi Obsession, Biden Pardons, and Guest R.J. Cutler Release Date: December 13, 2024

Hosts: Kara Swisher (Tech Journalist) and Scott Galloway (NYU Professor)

Guest: R.J. Cutler (Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated Filmmaker)

1. Introduction and Banter (02:04 - 04:45)

Kara and Scott begin the episode with their characteristic banter, discussing personal anecdotes such as Kara's birthday dinner at Benihana and Scott's upcoming travels to London, Riyadh, and Cape Town. Their light-hearted conversation sets a conversational tone for the episode.

2. Biden’s Historic Pardons and Clemency Grants (07:00 - 10:05)

Discussion Points:

• President Joe Biden has issued the largest clemency grant by an American president, commuting the sentences of 1,500 individuals and pardoning 39 people.
• The pardons target nonviolent offenders confined under the COVID-19 CARES Act for over a year.
• There's ongoing debate about the potential use of blanket pardons for President-elect Trump's public adversaries, a move both hosts view skeptically.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway (08:28): “There's what they're supposed to be for.”
• Kara Swisher (08:32): “Not your friends or people who pay you.”

Insights:

• Scott emphasizes the importance of thoughtful and individualized pardons, critiquing the idea of blanket pardons which could undermine the system’s integrity.
• Both hosts express concern over politicizing the pardon system, fearing it could erode trust and fairness in the justice system.

3. Rupert Murdoch’s Family Trust Dispute (12:01 - 15:03)

Discussion Points:

• A Nevada commissioner has blocked Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to alter his family trust, thwarting his plan to give Lachlan Murdoch sole control of his media empire.
• The commissioner cited bad faith in Rupert and Lachlan’s actions, ensuring equal control among Murdoch’s children who aren’t politically aligned with him.
• The move is seen as a strategic play to maintain balanced governance within News Corp.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway (14:09): “This is what has happened in Central America and nations all over the world throughout modern history.”
• Kara Swisher (15:03): “As Vanity Fair calls it. It's just a fiasco at the end of his life.”

Insights:

• The dispute highlights the complexities of succession in powerful media families and the potential for internal conflicts to impact corporate governance.
• Scott expresses personal disappointment in Rupert’s approach, emphasizing the importance of sibling unity over divisive legal maneuvers.

4. GM Abandons Robo-Taxi Program Amid Rising Competition (15:30 - 18:26)

Discussion Points:

• General Motors (GM) is discontinuing its Cruise robo-taxi program after spending nearly a decade and $10 billion without achieving scalability, losing $3.48 billion in 2023.
• Competition from companies like Waymo, Aurora, and Zoox has intensified, making it difficult for GM to keep pace.
• Kara criticizes GM’s inability to leverage its strengths in the autonomous vehicle market.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway (17:02): “The entire category is overinvested and it's being the competitors here have access to such infinitely cheap capital.”
• Kara Swisher (17:36): “This is related, it's related cars, I guess, sort of autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles.”

Insights:

• The episode underscores the challenges traditional automakers face in the rapidly evolving autonomous vehicle industry dominated by tech-savvy and well-funded companies.
• Scott likens GM’s withdrawal to an unrelated industry entering an area where they lack synergy, questioning the strategic fit of such ventures.

5. The Murder of Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione and Societal Reactions (18:39 - 31:10)

Discussion Points:

• Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old tech professional, has been charged with the murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson.
• The episode explores Mangione’s online presence, societal reactions, and the broader implications related to the healthcare industry.
• Kara highlights how Mangione has been glorified in certain circles, with merchandise, playlists, and crypto coins being created in his name.
• Scott delves into the systemic issues within the U.S. healthcare system, critiquing the for-profit motives and lobbying that contribute to medical debt and inadequate care.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway (20:35): “The largest source of bankruptcy is medical debt.”
• Kara Swisher (25:18): “This is just such a snapshot of where people are.”
• Scott Galloway (26:07): “This is a form of revolution.”

Insights:

• Scott argues that Mangione’s actions are a symptom of deeper societal frustrations with the healthcare system, which pressures individuals through financial and systemic hardships.
• The conversation emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare reform, advocating for Medicare for All as a solution to prevent similar tragedies.

6. Trump's FTC Appointment and its Impact on Big Tech (36:38 - 43:10)

Discussion Points:

• President Donald Trump has appointed Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), signaling a crackdown on Big Tech.
• Ferguson's agenda includes ending what he perceives as Big Tech's "vendetta against competition and free speech," aiming to roll back regulations on AI and mergers.
• Kara and Scott critique this move as "pay-to-play" politics, suggesting it favors wealthy corporations at the expense of consumer competition and lower prices.

Notable Quotes:

• Kara Swisher (38:18): “This is just nakedly pay to play.”
• Scott Galloway (39:54): “No, Chairman Khan is there and the FTC and the DOJ are there to ensure there's competition which results in lower prices.”

Insights:

• The hosts express concern that Ferguson’s appointment could lead to reduced oversight of Big Tech, harming competition and potentially increasing consumer costs.
• Scott highlights the importance of maintaining regulatory bodies like the FTC to preserve market competition and protect consumer interests.

7. Guest Interview: R.J. Cutler on His Documentaries (44:43 - 68:35)

Discussion Points:

• R.J. Cutler discusses his latest documentaries, including "Martha" about Martha Stewart and "Elton John: Never Too Late."
• The conversation delves into Martha Stewart’s entrepreneurial spirit, her handling of public image, and the challenges of portraying complex personalities in film.
• Cutler shares insights on the evolving documentary industry, the impact of streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney, and his future projects.

Notable Quotes:

• R.J. Cutler (45:27): “She's incredibly entrepreneurial and a survivor, someone who gets knocked down and gets right back up on her feet again.”
• Kara Swisher (54:24): “How do you deal with that now? Because you have this new film with Elton John, I'll note, you co-directed the film with David Furnish.”

Insights:

• Cutler emphasizes the importance of trust and authenticity in documentary filmmaking, especially when dealing with high-profile subjects.
• The discussion highlights the documentary resurgence driven by streaming platforms, creating more opportunities but also raising questions about content quality and focus.

8. Predictions and Audience Engagement (71:32 - End)

Discussion Points:

• Scott predicts that Meta (Facebook) will have record earnings driven by increased political ad spending and societal rage.
• The hosts engage listeners with a poll regarding Time’s Person of the Year, reflecting diverse perspectives on influential figures.
• A brief mention of upcoming topics and encouragement for audience participation wraps up the main content.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Galloway (71:34): “Meta is going to have their best earnings and unfortunately it’s a directly a function of the more fucked up in the head, the more angry we are.”
• Kara Swisher (74:26): “I think it's probably the right choice [Donald Trump].”

Insights:

• Scott’s analysis underscores the lucrative nature of heightened political and social tensions for social media giants, despite broader societal costs.
• The audience engagement segment reinforces the interactive nature of the podcast, inviting listeners to share their opinions and thoughts.

Conclusion

In this episode of Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway navigate a myriad of pressing topics, from the implications of President Biden's pardons and Rupert Murdoch’s family trust battles to the societal backlash against the healthcare system exemplified by the tragic murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. Their insightful discussions extend to the challenges faced by traditional automakers in the autonomous vehicle race and the potential regulatory shifts under Trump’s FTC appointment targeting Big Tech.

The guest appearance by filmmaker R.J. Cutler adds depth to the conversation, exploring the intricate balance between authenticity and narrative control in documentaries about high-profile individuals like Martha Stewart and Elton John. The episode concludes with forward-looking predictions and an engaging call to action for listeners to participate in ongoing debates.

Notable Recommendations:

• Documentaries Mentioned:
  • Martha by R.J. Cutler (Netflix)
  • Elton John: Never Too Late by R.J. Cutler (Disney)
  • Frida by Carla Gutierrez
  • Sugarcane by Julian Brave Noisecat and Emily Cassie

Listener Engagement:

• Viewers are encouraged to participate in polls and share their thoughts on who should be Time’s Person of the Year, fostering a community-driven dialogue around influential figures.

End of Summary