Risky Bulletin Summary: "Srsly Risky Biz: Outside America, Musk's X is a Foreign Influence Threat"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Risky Bulletin
• Host/Author: risky.biz
• Episode: Srsly Risky Biz: Outside America, Musk's X is a Foreign Influence Threat
• Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction

In the March 13, 2025 episode of Risky Bulletin titled "Srsly Risky Biz: Outside America, Musk's X is a Foreign Influence Threat," host Patrick Gray engages in an in-depth conversation with Tom Uren, the policy and intelligence editor at Risky Business Media. The discussion centers around the growing international concerns regarding Elon Musk's ownership of X (formerly Twitter) and its implications as a foreign influence threat, drawing parallels with debates surrounding TikTok.

Comparing X and TikTok as Foreign Influence Vessels

Banning Calls in Liberal Democracies

Patrick Gray initiates the conversation by highlighting the increasing calls within liberal democracies, particularly the UK, to ban X. He notes the similarity in the discourse surrounding X and TikTok, both perceived as platforms that can be exploited for foreign propaganda and misinformation.

Patrick Gray [00:00]: "One of the big things you covered was growing calls in liberal democracies around the world to at least talk about banning the social media website formerly known as Twitter X."

Tom Uren on TikTok’s Threat

Tom Uren elaborates on his longstanding concerns about TikTok, emphasizing its potential as a conduit for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence within the United States. He argues that TikTok could manipulate political discourse, posing a significant national security threat.

Tom Uren [01:31]: "The strongest argument for the US to ban TikTok is that it's a potential vessel for Communist Party influence in the US."

X Under Elon Musk’s Ownership

Contrasting TikTok, Uren points out that many of the issues associated with TikTok are already manifesting on X under Elon Musk’s stewardship. He expresses concern over Musk's ability to amplify his own profile and bypass traditional content gatekeepers, leading to the widespread dissemination of misinformation and extremist content.

Tom Uren [02:14]: "Everything that you worry about TikTok potentially doing is happening right now, today, and has been happening for, well, pretty much ever since Elon Musk took it over."

Elon Musk’s Influence and Platform Dynamics

Amplification of Musk’s Voice

Uren discusses how Musk's presence on X has significantly altered the platform's dynamics. He highlights Musk's ability to "bypass checks and balances," allowing his content to reach a vast audience with minimal oversight.

Tom Uren [03:23]: "His account bypasses checks and balances that try and make sure that what you are showing to people is interesting."

Boosting of Fringe and Extremist Content

Patrick Gray shares his personal experience as a non-X user, noting how Musk’s activity surfaces prominently across users' feeds, often necessitating personal measures like blocking Musk to mitigate exposure to his content. He underscores the platform's role in amplifying not just conservative viewpoints but also overtly extremist content, likening the platform's influence to using "a sledgehammer."

Patrick Gray [03:56]: "Whenever he tweets it like shows up in everybody's feeds because he's engineered it to be that way... it is just so off obvious as you wrote in your piece, it's as subtle as a sledgehammer."

Global Perspectives and Policy Implications

Foreign Governments’ Stance on X

Uren draws parallels between the rationale for banning TikTok and the emerging arguments against X. He explains that foreign governments, much like those that have implemented foreign media ownership laws, view X as a platform that could propagate unwanted propaganda and misinformation detrimental to their societal fabric.

Tom Uren [04:54]: "From a foreign government's perspective, why would you put up with that?... It's like a publisher and so why would you accept a foreign publishing house publishing all sorts of propaganda."

Impact of US Policy Shifts on Global Alliances

Patrick Gray observes that the United States' shifting stance towards its traditional allies has influenced global perceptions of both the US and Elon Musk. This decoupling has opened the door for discussions about banning X to become part of the "Overton window," making such debates more politically acceptable than before.

Patrick Gray [08:30]: "Discussions of a ban are now within the Overton window... even a few months ago that was just not the case."

Deterioration of US-Allied Relations

Uren reflects on the deteriorating relationship between the US and its allies, suggesting that the previously favorable trade and cooperation agreements have unraveled. This shift has led to a reevaluation of previously accepted compromises, such as the non-restriction of US tech companies like X in foreign markets.

Tom Uren [09:22]: "There was a deal... now it's re evaluating what we gave up to get that deal is now on the table."

Rob Joyce’s Critique and Implications for the NSA

Rob Joyce’s Concerns

The conversation shifts to Rob Joyce, a former special advisor to President Trump and former cybersecurity director at the NSA. Uren discusses Joyce's critical remarks directed at the Trump administration’s handling of the NSA, particularly concerning arbitrary firings and their detrimental impact on the agency's workforce and operational integrity.

Tom Uren [11:21]: "Interrupting those pipelines, you're actually sort of cutting a hole across the organization in a slice where you've got this gap in skills that over time will cause problems."

Impact on Intelligence Workforce

Uren emphasizes the unique challenges faced by intelligence agencies, such as the specialized training pipelines that cannot be easily replicated or filled by external hires. Disruptions to these pipelines jeopardize both the short-term functionality and the long-term viability of the agency's workforce.

Tom Uren [12:26]: "If you make that deal less attractive by removing job security, I think that's also a problem."

Uncertainty of Future Missions

He further warns that under the Trump administration, there is uncertainty regarding the mission and objectives of intelligence agencies, which historically had clear mandates focused on countering traditional adversaries.

Tom Uren [14:07]: "Under the Trump administration, you don't actually know what the mission is."

Conclusion

In this episode of Risky Bulletin, Patrick Gray and Tom Uren provide a comprehensive analysis of the international ramifications of Elon Musk’s control over X, positioning it alongside TikTok as a significant foreign influence threat. They delve into the complexities of global media governance, the shifting geopolitical landscape, and the internal challenges facing U.S. intelligence agencies. The discussion underscores the intricate interplay between technology platforms, national security, and international policy, highlighting the evolving nature of digital influence in contemporary geopolitics.

Notable Quotes:

• Patrick Gray [03:56]: "it is just so off obvious as you wrote in your piece, it's as subtle as a sledgehammer."

• Tom Uren [12:26]: "If you make that deal less attractive by removing job security, I think that’s also a problem."

• Tom Uren [14:07]: "Under the Trump administration, you don't actually know what the mission is."

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