On with Kara Swisher Why We Can’t Quit Elon with Ronan Farrow & William Cohan
Aug 24, 2023
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow and financial expert William Cohan as they dissect Elon Musk's overwhelming influence on national security and business. Farrow dives into his New Yorker profile on Musk, revealing the tech mogul's unprecedented control over vital infrastructure. Cohan sheds light on the financial ups and downs of SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter. The discussion also navigates Musk's accountability, the challenges of concentrated power, and how his ways spark both innovation and controversy in today's world.
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Brazen Influence Due to Government Dependency
- Musk's influence is more brazen because government relies on him for essential services, creating dependency.
- This differs from past oligarchs and moneyed interests.
Reporting Challenges and Elon's Reach
- Ronan Farrow interviewed over 30 colleagues, a dozen personal contacts, and many government officials for his profile.
- A Pentagon spokesperson told Farrow they would only speak if Musk permitted it.
SpaceX Valuation and Investor Sentiment
- SpaceX is highly valued, comparable to Disney or Intel, despite modest profits.
- This high valuation is driven by investor excitement surrounding Elon Musk.