Trump’s Historic Chief of Staff Pick, and What Elon Musk Wants Now

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Headlines
Episode: Trump’s Historic Chief of Staff Pick, and What Elon Musk Wants Now
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Host: Tracy Mumford, The New York Times

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1. Donald Trump's Historic Chief of Staff Appointment

Key Points: Donald Trump has begun shaping his new administration following his election victory. In a significant and historic move, Trump appointed Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, as his Chief of Staff—the highest-ranking woman to ever hold this pivotal position in the White House.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Mumford [00:34]: "Trump's White House is starting to take shape. Last night, the president-elect made the first appointment of his new administration, picking Susie Wiles... to be his chief of staff. Wiles will be the first woman to ever hold the position."

• Susie Wiles [01:10]: "Chris, the job you did. Susie, come. Susie, come here. Come here, Susie."

• Tracy Mumford [01:16]: "At Trump's victory speech on Wednesday, he publicly praised Wiles, who normally keeps an extremely low profile and has little interest in appearing in front of cameras. He tried and failed twice to get her to speak in front of the crowd."

• Susie Wiles [01:29]: "Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you."

• Tracy Mumford [01:36]: "Trump said his nickname for her is the Ice Maiden. Wiles is known as a key Trump insider, a savvy operative who's been in politics since the 1970s... She'll be taking on a role that was defined by chaos. In Trump's first administration, he went through four chiefs of staff in four years."

Insights: Susie Wiles, dubbed "the Ice Maiden" by Trump, brings decades of political experience, including significant roles in lobbying and supporting figures like Ron DeSantis. Her appointment aims to bring stability to a position historically marked by turnover during Trump's first term. Given her successful management of Trump's campaign—a feat unmatched by his other campaign managers—Wiles is expected to drive the president's agenda effectively and serve as a gatekeeper to the Oval Office.

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2. Elon Musk’s Influence and Demands in the New Administration

Key Points: Elon Musk, recently emerging as one of Trump's foremost backers, has invested over $100 million in Trump's campaign and is actively participating in rallies. Musk's strategic involvement appears motivated by a desire to influence federal operations and mitigate ongoing federal investigations targeting his businesses.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Mumford [01:36]: "As Trump staffs up his administration, one prominent figure has already been making some requests. Elon Musk... pouring more than $100 million into Trump's campaign and joining him at rallies."

• Eric Lipton [02:49]: "What Elon Musk wants is influence to affect the way that federal government operates... SpaceX alone, just in the last five years, received $11 billion worth of contracts."

• Eric Lipton [04:00]: "Musk's businesses are facing federal investigations into workplace safety and environmental standards... he's a target of an extraordinary array of federal investigations."

Insights: Elon Musk's substantial financial support and strategic lobbying efforts suggest a deep interest in shaping government policies that affect his diverse business ventures, particularly SpaceX and his roles in national security payloads. With ongoing federal investigations scrutinizing his operations, Musk likely seeks Trump's administration to appoint favorable officials who can oversee or potentially alleviate these investigations. Additionally, Trump has suggested the creation of a Government Efficiency Commission, which Musk is expected to lead, further highlighting his intent to influence governmental reforms and operations.

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3. President Biden’s First Public Statement Post-Election

Key Points: In his first public address since the election, President Joe Biden emphasized a commitment to a peaceful transition of power, contrasting sharply with the tumultuous transition experienced four years prior. Biden highlighted his administration's achievements without directly criticizing Trump, reinforcing his message that "the American experiment endures."

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Mumford [05:24]: "In the Rose Garden at the White House, President Biden spoke publicly for the first time since the election. He promised a smooth transition to the next presidency... he set aside any criticism of Trump, saying, 'the American experiment endures.'"

• Susie Wiles [05:51]: "For President Biden, this is actually a very awkward and uncomfortable moment. He is going to be the first president in our lifetime to be succeeded by the very person that he defeated four years earlier."

• Susie Wiles [06:23]: "One of the things that's interesting about the speech... he didn't take any responsibility for what happened. He didn't offer any second guessing or introspection about what Democrats did wrong."

Insights: Biden's approach underscores a dedication to unifying the nation and moving forward without lingering grievances from previous political conflicts. However, this stance has also led to criticism from figures like Susie Wiles, who believe Biden missed an opportunity to introspectively address the reasons behind his party's loss and strategize for future political challenges. The absence of direct accountability or critique from Biden may leave some questions unanswered about the Democratic Party's future direction and strategies.

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4. Devastating Wildfires in Southern California

Key Points: A rapidly spreading wildfire, named the Mountain Fire, has devastated areas northwest of Los Angeles, forcing over 10,000 residents to evacuate and destroying more than 100 buildings. The fire's swift progression has been attributed to high winds and changing climate conditions, reflecting a broader trend of increasingly fast-moving wildfires in the western United States.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Mumford [07:12]: "In Southern California, a fast moving wildfire northwest of Los Angeles has forced over 10,000 people from their homes and destroyed more than 100 buildings... It's only 5% contained."

Insights: The Mountain Fire's unpredictable nature—leaving some streets entirely gutted while others remain untouched—highlights the growing unpredictability and intensity of wildfires in the region. Experts suggest that hotter and drier climates are contributing to this trend, making rapid response and preparedness more challenging for residents and authorities alike. This disaster underscores the urgent need for enhanced wildfire management strategies and climate change mitigation efforts.

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5. Passing of Elwood Edwards, AOL’s Iconic Voice

Key Points: Elwood Edwards, the voice behind AOL's famous greeting "You've got mail," passed away at the age of 74. His distinctive voice became a cultural phenomenon during the early days of the internet, symbolizing the dawn of online communication and connectivity.

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy Mumford [07:12]: "Before Siri, before Alexa, before whatever that automated voice on TikTok is, one man was the voice of the Internet."

• Susie Wiles [08:23]: "You've got mail."

• Tracy Mumford [09:24]: "Edwards, who went on to have a long career in broadcasting, claimed AOL told him that at one point his voice was heard more than 35 million times a day before the company lost its Internet dominance. In total, Edwards said he was paid $200 for the gig."

Insights: Elwood Edwards' voice became synonymous with the burgeoning internet era, bridging the gap between technology and everyday users. His contribution to digital culture remains significant, as his greeting served as a familiar and welcoming prompt for millions venturing online for the first time. Edwards' legacy is a testament to how a simple voice can become an integral part of technological history and collective memory.

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Conclusion: In this episode of The Headlines, The New York Times delves into significant political developments with Trump's appointment of Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff and Elon Musk's strategic involvement in the new administration. The podcast also covers President Biden's inaugural speech post-election, the escalating wildfires in Southern California, and commemorates the passing of Elwood Edwards, a voice that defined early internet experiences. Each segment provides insightful analysis and notable quotes, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the day's top stories.

Transcript

[Michael J. Fox]

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[Tracy Mumford]

From the New York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Friday, November 8th. Here's what we're covering. Donald Trump's White House is starting to take shape. Last night, the president elect made the first appointment of his new administration, picking Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, to to be his chief of staff. Chief of staff is often described as the second most powerful job in Washington. Chiefs of staff drive the president's agenda and act as gatekeepers to the Oval Office. Wiles will be the first woman to ever hold the position.

[Susie Wiles]

Chris, the job you did. Susie, come. Susie, come here. Come here, Susie.

[Tracy Mumford]

At Trump's victory speech on Wednesday, he publicly praised Wiles, who normally keeps an extremely low profile and has little interest in appearing in front of cameras. He tried and failed twice to get her to speak in front of the crowd.

[Susie Wiles]

Susie likes to stay sort of in the back, let me tell you.

[Tracy Mumford]

The Ice Maiden.

[Susie Wiles]

We call her the Ice Maiden.

[Tracy Mumford]

Trump said his nickname for her is the Ice Maiden. Wiles is known as a key Trump insider, a savvy operative who's been in politics since the 1970s. She's been a lobbyist, helped get Ron DeSantis elected governor in Florida, and is close with the Trump family. She's the only one of his campaign managers to ever make it through an entire race. But she'll be taking on a role that was defined by chaos. In Trump's first administration, he went through four chiefs of staff in four years. One of them, John Kelly, described it as the worst job he'd ever had. As Trump staffs up his administration, one prominent figure has already been making some requests. Elon Musk. Musk, who's the world's richest man, became one of Trump's biggest backers in the past few months, pouring more than $100 million into Trump's campaign and joining him at rallies. And honestly, you want to just be a pest, just be a pest to everyone. You know, people on the street everywhere. Vote, vote, vote. Fight, fight, fight, Vote, vote, vote. Thank you.

[Eric Lipton]

For us on the outside as reporters, we were wondering what might be motiv Musk to be so incredibly driven to help Trump get back into the White House.

[Tracy Mumford]

Eric Lipton is an investigative reporter at the Times. He says even before Trump was reelected, Musk asked him to hire employees from SpaceX for top government positions, including at the Department of Defense.

[Eric Lipton]

What Elon Musk wants is influence to affect the way that the federal government operates. Musk businesses have a pretty incredible array of business operations with the federal government. SpaceX alone, just in the last five years, received $11 billion worth of contracts. It launches crews to the International Space Station. It sends up many of NASA's satellites. And even more importantly, most of the national security payloads are going up on SpaceX rockets, and so are spy satellites. He's both launching the spy satellites and building them now. And so therefore, the budgets of the Department of Defense at NASA and the Intelligence agency budgets, all of those impact his bottom line and his profits.

[Tracy Mumford]

Eric says Musk's interest in Trump's presidency also goes beyond budgets and contracts. Some of his businesses are facing federal investigations into workplace safety and environmental standards.

[Eric Lipton]

I mean, it's just like an Alphabet soup of federal agencies investigating his operations. Because Elon Musk has a tendency to push the limits of the law in his drive to get things done quick, he's so determined to build fast that he often skirts at the edge or right over the limits of federal law. And so he is this target of a pretty extraordinary array of federal investigations. The presumption is that many of those would simply go away once Trump is in office and he appoints his Cabinet secretaries and they have jurisdiction over all of these investigations.

[Tracy Mumford]

It's also possible that Musk himself could end up as part of the government. Trump has promised to create a Government Efficiency Commission, which he said Musk would lead with the goal of auditing the federal government and recommending, quote, drastic reforms. For more about Trump's plans for his second term, you can listen to today's episode of the Daily with Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.

[Susie Wiles]

Meanwhile, on January 20, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America.

[Tracy Mumford]

In the Rose Garden at the White House, President Biden spoke publicly for the first time since the election. He promised a smooth transition to the next presidency, a sharp contrast to what happened four years ago when Trump refused to concede. In his brief seven minute speech, Biden highlighted what he felt his administration had achieved. And he set aside any criticism of Trump, saying, quote, the American experiment endures.

[Susie Wiles]

I know, for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss. Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other. I mean, for President Biden, this is actually a very awkward and uncomfortable moment. He is going to be the first president in our lifetime to be succeeded by the very person that he defeated four years earlier.

[Tracy Mumford]

Peter Baker is the Times chief White House correspondent.

[Susie Wiles]

One of the things that's interesting about the speech, of course, is he didn't take any responsibility for what happened. He didn't offer any second guessing or introspection about what Democrats did wrong. I would have loved if he had taken questions, we could have asked him about that. So, you know, sir, why is it you think that Democrats lost you? What do Democrats need to do to appeal to people who obviously have left you at, at this point for Donald Trump? And what are the implications for the future at this point? He told us, as did Vice President Kamala Harris, that if Trump were reelected, democracy was under threat. Okay, it's happened now, so is it under threat? And if so, what should people think about that?

[Tracy Mumford]

In Southern California, a fast moving wildfire northwest of Los Angeles has forced over 10,000 people from their homes and destroyed more than 100 buildings, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency. Dubbed the Mountain Fire, it's been tearing through the hilly communities of Ventura county, fueled by high winds. As of early this morning, it's only 5% contained. The destruction has been somewhat unpredictable. On one street, there were lots with nothing left but a scorched chimney, while other homes were untouched, their lawns still green. Wildfires aren't uncommon in the area, but residents say they weren't prepared for how fast the Mountain Fire spread. A recent study found that wildfires in the western US have been getting faster over the last few years, potentially because of hotter, drier conditions. And finally, before Siri, before Alexa, before whatever that automated voice on TikTok is, One man was the voice of the Internet.

[Susie Wiles]

You've got mail.

[Tracy Mumford]

Elwood Edwards, who recorded AOL's iconic tagline, died this week at 74. His chipper greeting used to sound out every time someone logged onto their AOL account, which used to be the way to get online. The backstory to his big break. In 1989, Edwards wife was working at the company that eventually became AOL and heard it was looking for someone to be the voice of its alerts. Edwards recorded himself on a cassette deck in his living room, and soon his voice was everywhere, becoming a cultural touchstone and potentially peaking in the most 90s way possible. I turn on my computer, inspiring a Tom Hanks Meg Ryan rom com.

[Susie Wiles]

I go online.

[Tracy Mumford]

Welcome.

[Eric Lipton]

And my breath catches in my chest.

[Susie Wiles]

Until I hear three little words. You got him.

[Tracy Mumford]

Edwards, who went on to have a long career in broadcasting, claimed AOL told him that at one point his voice was heard more than 35 million times a day before the company lost its Internet dominance. In total, Edwards said He was paid $200 for the gig. Those ARE the Headlines. This show is made by Robert Jemison, Jessica Metzger, Jan Stewart and me, Tracy Mumford, with help from Isabella Anderson. Original theme by Dan Powell. Special thanks to Larissa Anderson, Jake Lucas, Megan Ludit, Zoe Murphy, Mary Sue, Paula Schumann and Karen Workman. The Headlines will be back on Monday.