Reveal Podcast: "Elon Musk and JD Vance Want You to Breed. A Lot." Release Date: June 28, 2025
Introduction to the Pronatalist Movement
In this episode of Reveal, host Al Letsie delves into the burgeoning pronatalist movement—a coalition of tech magnates and traditional religious conservatives advocating for increased birth rates. The movement's alarm stems from declining global and domestic birth rates, which its proponents argue could lead to demographic and economic collapse.
Notable Quote:
“If people don't have more children, civilization is going to crumble.”
— Simone Collins [00:27]
Tech Leaders Embrace Pronatalism
Tech visionaries like Elon Musk are at the forefront of this movement, driven by a desire to expand the human population with intelligent and resilient individuals. Musk himself, with his 14 children, exemplifies the personal commitment many in tech are making towards this cause.
Notable Quote:
“The end game for people like Musk is to multiply the number of humans on Earth and even the universe with smart people who can live longer.”
— David Remnick [01:17]
The Collinses: Pioneers of Tech Pronatalism
Simone and Malcolm Collins have emerged as prominent figures within the pronatalist movement. Both come from tech and finance backgrounds, with Simone previously directing Dialog, a social club linked to PayPal’s Peter Thiel, and Malcolm having a history in venture capital.
Notable Quote:
“We're often known as the face of the pronatalist movement, or the very least the tech pronatalist movement.”
— Simone Collins [03:23]
Natal Con: A Convergence of Tech and Tradition
The Collinses organized Natal Con in Austin, Texas, a conference aimed at strategizing ways to boost birth rates. The event saw collaboration between tech entrepreneurs and traditionalists, discussing innovations like IVF and genetic screening to produce "designer babies."
Notable Quote:
“We must reverse the collapse of birth rates.”
— Natal Con Speaker [13:43]
Pronatalism and Eugenics: A Troubling Alliance
The movement's alliance with eugenics raises ethical concerns. Some attendees advocate for genetic enhancements to optimize the human race, blurring the lines between progressive technological interventions and regressive eugenic ideologies.
Notable Quote:
“Their friends in high places include titans of Silicon Valley and leaders at the highest levels of government.”
— Al Letsie [22:09]
Political Backing and Policy Proposals
Prominent political figures like JD Vance support the pronatalist agenda. The Trump administration has hinted at policies such as a "Trump savings account for babies" and medals for large families, echoing historical eugenic programs.
Notable Quote:
“It's a deal with the devil.”
— Simone Collins [48:07]
Interview with Reverend Rob Schenck: From Christian Nationalism to Redemption
In a poignant segment, Reverend Rob Schenck, a former leader in the Christian nationalist movement, reflects on his role in shaping American politics towards conservative values. Schenck discusses his efforts to influence Supreme Court Justices and the eventual realization of the movement's detrimental impact, leading to his departure and commitment to dismantling the very apparatus he once helped build.
Notable Quotes:
“I helped build the ramp that Trump took to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
— Rob Schenck [49:21]
“I see [Trump] as the antithesis of everything Jesus stood for.”
— Rob Schenck [47:00]
Conclusion: The Implications of a Pronatalist Future
The pronatalist movement represents a significant and concerning shift, merging technological ambitions with traditionalist ideologies to influence societal norms and policies. As tech leaders and conservatives collaborate, the potential for far-reaching changes in family structures, governmental policies, and ethical standards looms large.
Notable Quote:
“They are hoping to parlay those relationships to change both policy and culture, to influence people's choices about how to make a family, choices about whether to have babies and how many to have.”
— Al Letsie [22:09]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Reveal sheds light on a complex and multifaceted movement that intertwines technology, economics, and traditional values to address demographic challenges. Through investigative reporting and in-depth interviews, the podcast exposes the motivations, strategies, and potential consequences of the pronatalist agenda.
Produced by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX. For more stories like this, visit revealnews.org/learn.