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Elon Musk Weekly News Update: Tesla, SpaceX, X, Neuralink, and More · Elon Musk Podcast

0:00
Hi everybody. Welcome back to the show.
0:01
Now, on this episode we unpack how the US government is
0:04
pressuring foreign Nations to approve.
0:07
Elon musk's starlink in exchange for favorable trade terms, why
0:12
developing countries are using starlink licenses to deflect
0:15
tariffs and how this strategy complicates us diplomacy amid
0:20
growing competition with China, in global internet
0:23
infrastructure. Also, we're going to explain why
0:25
the state department the naming starlink in official cables and
0:30
what role from allies are playing in these efforts and how
0:33
regulatory pressure Blends would geopolitical goals, and we're
0:37
all going to examine how these moves are being interpreted by
0:40
Foreign leaders especially in Africa and Asia and what this
0:43
means for start links expansion plans.
0:47
Welcome to the Elon Musk podcast.
0:48
I'm your host will Walden Now, on March 28th, 2024 officials
0:58
and less that though, awarded Elon Musk Sterling a 10-year
1:03
set, like internet license. Now, just two weeks earlier, the
1:06
Trump administration had imposed a 50% tariff on their exports.
1:11
To the US, the decision came during early stage negotiations,
1:15
over a new trade agreement between the two countries.
1:19
The lethal Communications Authority hosted starlink
1:22
Executives. In a meeting shortly after the
1:24
Tariff announcement, internal memos from the US state
1:27
department revealed that leso hoped the license would
1:31
demonstrate Goodwill during trade talks.
1:33
Now the key will see that the move showed intent to welcome us
1:37
businesses. Specifically starlink now that
1:41
pattern has repeated and at least seven countries, since
1:44
Trump's return to office, starlink struck distribution
1:47
deals, in India and gain Traction in Somalia, Pakistan,
1:51
Bangladesh, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Congo and
1:56
potentially others. These deals often coincided with
1:59
new tariffs or economic pressure from the US according to
2:03
internal diplomatic cables reviewed by The Washington.
2:06
Post US embassies in State Department officials have
2:10
actively lobbied for Starlight approvals and foreign Nations
2:14
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, signed at least two official
2:18
Communications Instructing us diplomats to promote satellite
2:21
firms naming, starlink explicitly.
2:24
In a March 28th. Action Memo Rubio said, Global
2:28
regulatory support was essential to preserving Sterling's first
2:33
mover advantage in one such case, India's Fast Track Star
2:37
Lake regulatory process. While also renegotiating trade
2:41
terms, with the US according to International sources familiar
2:45
with India's decision, making Indian leaders viewed starlinks
2:49
entry as a lubricant for the talks though, not formally.
2:52
Part of trade negotiation, starlinks access was
2:55
strategically positioned as a gesture toward Washington
2:58
Rubio's. Diplomatic memos frame, Chinese
3:01
and Russian satellite services is threats to US National
3:05
Security. The argued that American firms
3:07
needed help, entering Mark gets before, competitors gained
3:11
footholds officials cited by name in nearly every single memo
3:15
even as they promoted a general preference for us settlers
3:19
Services, the Trump White House tonight, any conflict of
3:22
interest related to musk's involvement musk donated to a 77
3:27
million dollars to Trump aligned candidates and currently leads
3:30
the US Doge service though. He announced plans to step down
3:33
the White House said, the only priority in trade deals was
3:37
protecting American economic interests.
3:39
However, the Optics around musk's political influence, have
3:43
created some tension. Foreign officials are finding it
3:46
difficult to separate us official interest from you as
3:51
musk's business Ambitions. And analysts point to the timing
3:55
and coordination between two trade pressure and starlight,
3:59
license approvals as strong signals of implicit pressure.
4:03
Now in Cambodia the connection between tariffs and starlink
4:07
approvals was even clearer on April 2nd.
4:10
Trump slept the 49% Tariff on Cambodian Goods.
4:13
The next day us business represented in Cambodia urged.
4:18
Local officials to offer starlink access and duty-free
4:22
entry for Ford vehicles to restore trade ties.
4:26
Now even before the Tariff though, The embassy documented
4:29
Cambodia is consideration of Starling as a trade balancing
4:33
tool, cables. Dated March, 28th, showed local
4:36
officials were exploring Sterling access to Signal
4:39
alignment with the US government and the embassy noted, the
4:42
Cambodian government wanted to promote Boeing and starlink to
4:46
of economic penalties Meanwhile, in Mali Embassy staff reported
4:51
the local authorities were building a regulatory framework
4:54
to bring starlink in to the country.
4:56
Embassy Personnel said they had already identified a company
5:00
preparing to launch a local Sterling franchise.
5:03
Now, the memo noted the embassies internal deal team was
5:07
actively assisting the process. And in Turkey, Embassy staff,
5:12
delivered, talking points directly from Rubio's memo to
5:15
senior space agency, officials. Turkish Regulators had already
5:19
expressed interest in services, like Sterling and Amazon's
5:22
project Kuiper and the cable recorded the meeting and
5:26
described it as part of an ongoing us effort to push
5:29
satellite internet the diplomacy.
5:31
There's other similar campaigns underway.
5:37
And other countries have pledged to continue to follow up on.
5:41
Starlink musk satellite business has enormous Financial stakes in
5:46
this International expansion, according to quilty space for
5:51
specializing and satellite marketing research, internet
5:54
company, starlink could generate one billion dollars annually.
5:58
For just 1% of India's Broadband Market comparable, growth,
6:02
potential, existence of Latin America in sub-Saharan Africa.
6:06
Now the state department of the United States as a longstanding
6:09
interest in Satellite based internet access under President,
6:12
Biden secretary Anthony blinken. Signed a cable supporting the
6:16
low earth orbit or Leo said, like vendors as alternatives to
6:20
traditional isps the cable issued in.
6:22
December Cent, 50 US, Embassy is already used Leo systems and
6:27
more would follow Lincoln's cable did not favor.
6:30
Starlink exclusively. It said that department would
6:33
expand access to other vendors as they became available.
6:35
However, since Trump's return, diplomatic cables, increasingly
6:39
referenced. Starlink by name in urge
6:41
officials to advocate for its Market entry, wqa more of the
6:46
center for Global departments that African nations are
6:48
approving. Starlink licenses more
6:50
frequently under Trump. Than, during the previous
6:52
administration, he explained that many African officials
6:55
perceive musk's interest as deeply intertwined with us
6:58
diplomatic efforts. Now that perception he said
7:01
affects how countries make licensing decisions.
7:05
Now for every day people in these countries though, starlink
7:08
offers faster internet in places where traditional Broadband just
7:12
doesn't exist governments facing pressure to improve
7:14
connectivity. See Starling as a shortcut to
7:17
digital accents, but these choices are being made under
7:20
Trade stress, which raises questions about severity and
7:24
transparency for American citizen.
7:26
The story, reveals how foreign policy supports certain private
7:30
companies that hold political leverage, taxpayer funded,
7:34
diplomacy being used to sheep deals that enrich a few
7:37
individuals. Why you have advancing
7:39
geopolitical goals? Whether or not starlink
7:41
performs. Well, in these countries, the
7:43
business is winning access through methods, tied to trade
7:47
negotiations, not just open markets.
7:50
Now, the strategy. Also, reforms how China's Tech
7:53
expansion is, reshaping US foreign policy.
7:55
The United States sees the Telecom race with China is a
7:58
zero, some contests, and by tying Starling to trade deals,
8:01
the US government is actively prioritizing internet.
8:05
Structure as a strategic resource while no formal deals.
8:10
Have yet been signed since the April 2nd, tariff announcements,
8:13
the groundwork for trade link. Concessions is being laid
8:16
through technology access Each country, they Grant Sterling a
8:20
license sends a message to Washington that it is willing to
8:24
play ball. The balance of power in these
8:25
negotiations is tilting toward whoever controls connectivity.
8:31
Elon Musk now has his own city in Texas SpaceX is private
8:35
launch site in Boca Chica Village, has officially become a
8:38
city named Starbase after residents, voted 212 to 6 in
8:44
favor of incorporation. Nearly all voters were SpaceX
8:47
employees or family members since the company owns.
8:50
Most of the homes in employees. Most of the people living in the
8:54
area, this vote turns, what was once a sleepy Coastal Village
8:57
into an officially recognized municipality lighting entirely
9:01
by people who work for Elon Musk.
9:03
Now this episode will cover Starbase how musk made it
9:08
happen, why some people are celebrating it, why others are
9:11
protesting breakdown, the vote who's now in charge and what it
9:15
could mean for public land acts as environmental concerns.
9:18
And how companies might take control of entire communities in
9:22
the future, the creation of Starbase also raises a huge
9:26
question, what happens when a private Corporation becomes the
9:29
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now would help the show tremendously.
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Thank you so much. Elon Musk now has his own city
10:50
in Texas, spacex's Private launch site in Boca Chica
10:53
Village, has officially become a city called Starbase after
10:56
residents, voted 212 to 6 in favor of incorporation.
11:01
Nearly all voters were SpaceX employees or family members
11:05
since the company owns. Most of the homes and employees.
11:07
Most of the people living in the area this vote turns, what was
11:11
once a sleepy Coastal Village with a few people living there
11:14
into an officially recognized municipality, led by people who
11:19
work for Elon Musk. Now, this episode we're going to
11:22
cover what star base is, how musk made it happen and why some
11:27
people are celebrating It. While others are also
11:29
protesting, we'll break down the vote who's now in charge and
11:33
what it could mean for public land deck, assess environmental
11:35
concerns and how companies might take control of entire
11:39
communities in the future, the creation of Starbase has a big
11:44
question attached to it. What happens when a private
11:47
Corporation becomes the government Elon Musk has talked
11:51
about building a city in South Texas, for years.
11:54
Now, we've done it on Saturday voters, mostly SpaceX employees
11:58
approved turning Boca Chica into the city of Starbase.
12:01
The town covers just one point, five square miles, but includes
12:05
the SpaceX launch site for Starship and that's the massive
12:09
400 plus foot tall rocket. That Elon Musk hopes will take
12:13
humans to Mars. I want to go back a few years
12:16
right after the pandemic, I went to Starbase and I lived there
12:22
for around a year. I was covering Starbase and
12:25
everything happening there when they were building the initial
12:28
Starship, I was on the side of Highway 4 every single day, in
12:33
the 110 degree Heat. Filming videoing live streaming
12:39
them. Completing the first ship and
12:43
booster and putting it on the pad.
12:47
Now, let me tell you this. They are Far away from
12:50
everything. The closest city is Brownsville
12:52
Texas and it's about 30 minutes away you have to go.
12:57
Way down a desolate Road and there's nothing there.
13:02
So, building spacex's Starbase into an official City, you might
13:08
have thought, maybe they were encroaching on a lot of people,
13:12
but they really were not. There were only a few people
13:14
living there when they're making this into its City.
13:18
So, Take that into consideration when you learned a little bit
13:22
more. But the city elected, its first
13:25
mayor, who's Bobby peden, who has worked at SpaceX.
13:29
Since 2013, two City commissioners were also elected
13:32
both with close ties to the company, and all three ran
13:35
unopposed. There were no public debates.
13:38
No, local forums and no traditional campaigning, the
13:41
move gives musk more control over roads, zoning and local
13:45
Services. SpaceX says this will help them
13:47
build housing, and infrastructure for employees.
13:49
Something County officials have previously blocked now with
13:53
their own City, they can improve what they want faster, and with
13:56
fewer outside or restrictions, but not everyone supports this
14:01
Protesters have gathered in nearby Boca, Chica Beach, the
14:04
day of the vote, local activists environmentalists and members of
14:08
the Carrizo tribe of Texas. Say the beach and surrounding
14:11
land are being destroyed each rocket launch requires
14:14
evacuating the whole area and residents, say the losing access
14:18
to places they've used for Generations.
14:22
And musk is not commented on these concerns though, but the
14:24
new city is already pushing from more Authority.
14:27
A bill moving through, the Texas legislature, would let start be
14:31
officials who are actually musk's own employees decide when
14:35
to shut down a public beach. During the weekdays, if it
14:40
passes SpaceX won't need County approval anymore to close the
14:43
beach for racket tests. They can do whatever they want
14:45
to. And this sets a dangerous
14:47
precedent, the city is entirely populated by people who depend
14:51
on SpaceX for their jobs and housing.
14:53
That means the local government serves the company not the
14:57
people Starbase now operates, like a private company town,
15:01
with real, political power. And musk is not the only Tech
15:05
figure with these ideas though. Mark andresson and read, Hoffman
15:08
are funding a similar project in California, and Peter Thiel.
15:12
Once backed plans for floating cities, but Elon Musk is the
15:17
first to actually figure this out.
15:19
He got a city recognized staffed by employees in designed to
15:24
serve a private companies needs. Now.
15:28
This players alliance between private business in our
15:31
government Starbase. Now, controls roads utilities
15:35
and soon. Possibly the beach, that means
15:38
SpaceX can shape the laws any way that they want.
15:42
There are transparency laws though in Texas, so the city has
15:45
to follow public records rules. But oversight is minimal.
15:48
If there are no independent voices in power, the big risk is
15:52
that other companies can do the same thing.
15:53
If this works for Elon Musk, it's likely others will follow a
15:58
tech, billionaire, could build a Workforce Town, gain control of
16:02
local, rules and shape. The community that exists solely
16:06
to serve one business. And now Starbase is a real City.
16:12
Its run and owned and built by the world's richest man.
16:19
Let me know. What you think in the comments
16:21
if you have comments on your podcast app, what you think of
16:24
this? Do you think it's a good thing?
16:25
Do you think incorporating the city will help Elon Musk and
16:29
SpaceX get to Mars faster? Well, they have less red tape to
16:34
go through in order to test Starship which could push them
16:38
faster and faster to build building hundreds of these
16:42
Rockets to get to Mars. Let me know in the comments.
16:47
Hey, thank you so much for listening today.
16:49
I really do appreciate your support.
16:51
If you could take a second and hit this subscribe or the follow
16:54
button on whatever podcast platform that you're listening
16:56
on right now. I greatly appreciate it.
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Helps out the show tremendously and you'll never miss an episode
17:02
and each episode is about 10 minutes or less to get you
17:06
caught up quickly and please if you want to support the show,
17:09
even more go to patreon.com slash stage zero and please take
17:15
care of yourselves and each other and I'll see you tomorrow.
17:17
Why is Jeff Bezos cashing out about four point?
17:21
Eight billion dollars in Amazon stock and what is that say about
17:25
his future, Amazon's Outlook in the timing of his move to
17:29
Florida. So Jeff Bezos has submitted
17:32
notice that he will sell up to 25 million shares of Amazon by
17:36
May 29th 2026. The public filing made with the
17:40
Securities and Exchange Commission.
17:41
States, the sales are part of a pre-arranged trading plan,
17:44
initiated on March 4th at Amazon's current share price.
17:48
The potential sale amounts to about 4.8 billion.
17:51
Now this comes just one day after Amazon posted its first
17:54
quarter results which while strong on paper stirred new
17:58
concerns about what lies ahead Bezos who is still Amazon's
18:03
largest shareholder with over 1.5 billion shares.
18:06
As a February has already sold large blocks of stock before.
18:09
But this latest disclosure raises new questions.
18:12
Not just about Bezos, but about the shifting Financial realities
18:17
inside, one of the most influential companies of all
18:19
time, by Amazon's earnings reporter, arrived late, Thursday
18:22
and beat expectations. In several categories, Revenue
18:26
reached one 1 5 5. 7 5, 9% increase from the same period.
18:33
A year ago, and net income surged to 17.1 billion or 1.59
18:38
per share, outpacing, wall, Street's expected, 1.837 per
18:43
share. Now these numbers confirm that
18:45
Amazon's core businesses. E-commerce, Cloud advertising
18:49
are still delivering but the stock barely moved shares closed
18:53
with just a 0.2% bump trading at 190.62, dollars on Friday
18:59
afternoon and that limited reaction reflects.
19:02
What investors are still trying to understand, how Amazon will
19:05
handle the uncertainty, stemming from political pressure, in
19:08
international trade volatility, the much of the concerns on new
19:12
terrorists, introduced by Donald Trump's White House.
19:15
Trump's measures could affect Amazon supply chain and pricing
19:19
structures report service this week.
19:22
The Amazon was planning to visibly show customers the cost
19:26
of tariffs on the website. Now that detail set off alarms
19:30
for Donald Trump and he personally called Jeff Bezos
19:34
ambesonne later clarified, that it was not making such a change,
19:38
but the incident Illustrated love of scrutiny.
19:40
Now shadowing Bezos and his company, a basso has a History
19:44
of liquidating, large volumes of Amazon stock to fund his other
19:47
Ventures 2023. He sold 13.5 billion dollars
19:51
worth of shares the first time he had done.
19:54
So since stepping down to CEO in 2021 and then included two major
19:58
sales, one of February involving, 50 million shares,
20:01
another in July covering, 29 million more in those
20:05
transactions were both worth billions and worst strategically
20:09
timed. Now, one aspect of the timing
20:13
caught particular attention. Bezos officially moved from
20:16
Seattle, Washington to Florida, are on the same time.
20:19
So sales now Washington State implemented, a 7% capital gains
20:24
tax in 2022 and at Bezos had remained of Washington.
20:27
Those sales would have resulted in nearly 949 million dollars in
20:32
tax liability. And while he never publicly
20:35
sighted the tags as the reason for his relocation public
20:38
records, show that he did not sell any Amazon stock in 2022 or
20:42
2023, while living in Washington, Florida has no state
20:46
income tax or capital gains tax. The timing location change.
20:50
In stock sales, paint a picture of carefully.
20:52
Calculated Financial strategy. Now, the new trading plan filed
20:57
in March allows Bezos to spread the 25 million share sale over a
21:02
span of more than two years and the structure, suggests some
21:05
more gradual exit compared to last year as compressed
21:08
schedule. But even at a slower Pace, it
21:11
still adds up to a large dollar amount.
21:14
It also signals that Bezos is not retreating from liquidating
21:17
pieces of his Amazon stake, you need to feed continues to hold a
21:21
billion shares in the company. And Jeff hasn't been in
21:24
day-to-day control of Amazon since 2021, when Andy Jesse took
21:29
over a CEO but it's Financial moves, still send a message just
21:32
specially. When they follow big corporate
21:34
events or aligned with major political regulatory
21:36
developments after stepping away from Amazon Bezos has devoted
21:40
his attention to Blue origin Aerospace company and the 10
21:44
billion dollar Earth fund, he launched to address climate
21:47
change in biodiversity still active, in Philip, the Epic
21:51
efforts including the day one fund, which supports education
21:55
and housing initiatives and underserved communities.
21:57
And selling shares allows him to fund these Endeavors but it also
22:02
naturally invites scrutiny. I'd be selling 4.8 billion
22:06
dollars worth of stock people want to know why and where it's
22:09
going. Is he making a personal pivot?
22:11
Does he anticipate headwinds for Amazon was he simply
22:14
capitalizing on a favorable tax and marketing environment.
22:18
Now the reality could be a combination of all three but
22:21
when the world's second richest man moves billions out of the
22:24
company, he founded observers pay attention.
22:28
There's another detail here that matters.
22:30
Bezos adopted the trading plan on March, 4th a full month
22:34
before Amazon's q1 earnings report timing.
22:38
Ensures the sale. Complies with SEC rules,
22:40
governing insider trading under rule 10, B 51.
22:44
Executives can set up pre-arranged sales to avoid
22:47
accusations that their trading on material non-public
22:51
information. These plans are meant to instill
22:54
public confidence that such sales are routine and not
22:56
opportunistic. Now, the muted reaction to
23:00
Amazon's earnings suggests that, even big profits are not enough
23:03
to dispel anxiety about trade, friction, political
23:06
intervention, and global economic shifts and bassist
23:09
decision to sell more shares. Can amplify that anxiety, the
23:13
stock sales last year came during high points, in Amazon's
23:16
evaluation now. This year's announcement
23:18
arrives, amid growing volatility in a different tone in Amazon's
23:22
forward guidance. Now, what sets this round of
23:25
sales, apart from those in 2023 is the broader context in 2023,
23:29
the sales. Followed a market rebounded,
23:31
coincided with Bezos has moved to Florida.
23:33
This time. Amazon is facing renew tension
23:36
with the White House and structural uncertainties in its
23:39
supply chain. Where the tariffs will stick or
23:41
How Deeply they will affect, Amazon's cost structure remains
23:44
unclear, but Bezos making this move now suggests, he wants
23:47
flexibility and a potentially more turbulent business climate.
23:52
The sac filing didn't outline specific dates or mounts.
23:55
For each individual sale, simple lays out the maximum resales
23:59
shares and maybe sold by May 29th 2026.
24:02
Lack of a detail. Calendar is a market, May face
24:06
sporadic moves as a trades unfold.
24:08
Now, in the end bases, his plan to sell 4.8 billion dollars in
24:12
stocks. It's a move that he's making
24:14
that strategic, whether the signals Point per slam bishan
24:18
political calculation, or corporate uncertainty is
24:22
preparing for what comes next, he's doing it with his own
24:26
money. And his own terms.
24:29
Hey, thank you so much for listening today.
24:30
I really do appreciate your support.
24:32
If you could take a second and hit subscribe or the follow
24:35
button on whatever podcast platform that you're listening
24:37
on right now, I greatly appreciate it.
24:40
Helps out the show tremendously and you'll never miss an episode
24:43
and each episode is about 10 minutes or less to get you
24:47
caught up quickly and please if you want to support the show,
24:51
even more go to patreon.com slash stage zero and please take
24:57
care of yourselves and each other and I'll see you tomorrow.
24:59
Tesla, stock price. Fell nearly 25% in the first
25:02
four months of 2025 investors. Watching the slide wonder
25:06
whether the company has a plan. If its CEO, Elon Musk leaves or
25:10
Feast stays in keeps doing damage unless Wednesday.
25:14
The Wall Street Journal reported, the Tesla's board had
25:16
reached out to multiple executive search firms to start
25:20
building a short list of potential successors, and
25:23
according to the story, at least some test, the directors were
25:27
exploring how to replace Elon Musk on that Revelation lit.
25:32
A match under a question that's been quite quietly simmering for
25:35
years. What is Tesla without Elon Musk?
25:40
Now the report created immediate attention inside Tesla's
25:43
leadership hours after publication, Tesla board chair.
25:46
Robin Dunham posted a denial on X.
25:50
She said the journal was erroneously claiming the testis
25:54
board had contacted recruiters for a CEO search.
25:57
They said this is absolutely false.
26:00
Now, Dental added that this clarification had been sent to
26:04
the Press before the story even ran, but our statement left room
26:07
for interpretation. She denied action from the Tesla
26:11
board but not that any individual directors may have
26:14
reached out on their own. now, this ambiguity fuels and already
26:20
pressing concern, If Tesla's leadership hasn't begun,
26:23
considering what life looks like after musk, the Running Blind
26:28
into a critical future. Elon Musk is both Tesla's
26:33
greatest asset and its most unpredictable liability, the
26:38
Stock's performance still bullying, but his presence is
26:41
known. But increasingly, it's personal
26:44
behavior is dragging the company until vital territory.
26:47
A musk is shifted from Tech Mogul to political combatant.
26:52
It become a loud voice for Far, Right causes openly supporting
26:56
Donald. Trump publicly criticizing the
26:58
federal government in antagonizing Democratic
27:01
officials. The shift has turned off, many
27:04
of Tesla's most likely buyers liberal climate Focus consumers,
27:08
who prefer clean energy and efficient transport to
27:11
libertarian rhetoric. These political stunts have cost
27:15
Tesla. More than just Goodwill though.
27:17
They've hit the bottom line. Car sales are slowing, investors
27:22
are getting nervous and the people more responsible for
27:24
maintaining faith and Tesla's brand is too often making
27:28
headlines for everything, but the business and at a time when
27:32
EV Market is tightening, and competition is getting tougher,
27:35
and all the tariffs that are happening, Tesla is still
27:39
trading at a stock value in wildly out of sync with its
27:42
actual sales performance. And the core problem for Tesla's
27:46
board is that Elon Musk is the reason the company stock trades
27:49
at levels. Other automakers could only
27:52
dream of now, as of this week, test this price to earnings
27:55
ratio. However, is around 167 that's
27:57
more than 20 times which General Motors trades at now.
28:01
Musk has managed to sell the idea that Tesla isn't just a car
28:05
maker. It's an avatar for the future.
28:07
The illusion keeps the stock inflated and that illusion
28:10
depends entirely unmask continuing to project division,
28:14
people believe in. It's not new though.
28:17
For years ago, a business school Professor described Tesla to us
28:20
as the mother of all meme. Stocks, the stocks performance
28:24
is always relied more on musk's Cult of Personality than the
28:28
company's fundamentals. Tesla often behaves, more like a
28:31
social media phenomenon than a stable manufacturing business
28:35
and Retail investors treat musk like a prophet not just a CEO as
28:40
long as he stays loud and provocative, a portion of the
28:42
market stays loyal, but that loyalty has its limits when musk
28:47
bought Twitter in 2022 and turned it into a political and
28:51
cultural way to speak. His mind Tesla's shares took a
28:58
hit when he launched his Department of government
29:00
efficiency, the stock dropped. Again, public trust in musk is
29:04
an constant while his, depending on how extreme his latest move
29:07
is, when those wobbles turn into sharp downturns, Tesla pays the
29:11
price and so do its shareholders.
29:12
The dynamic is created a dangerous Loop for the board
29:16
though. Musk does something outrageous,
29:18
Tesla suffers, but if they push back the situation could have
29:22
gave him worse, they fire him, the stock would completely
29:25
crater, and if they try to Reign him in, he might walk away or
29:29
retaliate, No one on the board seems eager to challenge.
29:33
The one person who makes their company worth what it is.
29:35
At the same time, musk's personal Behavior.
29:38
Raises serious questions about his capacity to continue leading
29:41
the company for some people. His physical health is unclear.
29:44
He rarely sleep, and he has openly admitted to recreational
29:48
drug use. He has claimed without evidence
29:50
that he is the second, most targeted individual for
29:53
assassination after Donald Trump.
29:55
And at public events, he has appeared distracted or
29:59
disoriented. It's not a stable foundation for
30:01
a multi-billion dollar. Enterprise now Tesla's
30:05
financials tell one story, but musk's Antics, tell another over
30:09
the last year, test, the stock has generally trended upward
30:11
them, might seem like Vindication.
30:13
But the growth masks erratic tips, the kind of instability
30:17
that must bring us to the brand can't be priced in Forever.
30:20
At some point, the market may stop giving him the benefit of
30:24
the doubt. They can happen.
30:25
If his political integuments grow more toxic, or if the
30:29
public gets tired of his Acts, It was also the matter of
30:33
government oversight, when a trump White House and power musk
30:36
has enjoyed a regulatory leniency.
30:38
For instance, the administration recently rolled back crash
30:41
reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles.
30:43
A move that directly benefits Tesla.
30:46
But this favorable treatment might not last if Democrats take
30:50
back the house or when the presidency in 2028 they get just
30:54
decide to start investigating Tesla safety record or musk's
30:57
use of political power for private gain that possibility.
31:01
Alone should be enough for the board to consider succession
31:04
planning. It's not just politics.
31:07
That make a transition plan necessary, eventually musk will
31:10
leave one way or another. He might get bored and he might
31:14
move on and take all of his money with him.
31:15
And if Tesla doesn't have a plan in place for that moment, I
31:19
could face a crisis far more damaging than any single stock
31:23
drop. Now, the question of course, is
31:25
who could replace Elon Musk? Finding a new CEO isn't just
31:31
about business Acumen or leadership skills.
31:33
It's about Charisma. It's about who you are and how
31:36
you act Tesla, doesn't need a traditional executive, it needs
31:40
someone, who can keep that idea alive.
31:43
Someone who can maintain investor enthusiasm.
31:45
Even when car sales are flat or when profit margin sync, this
31:50
put the word in a difficult situation.
31:51
Standard executive search firms, may not be useful here
31:55
traditional CEO candidates are measured experience and
31:59
discipline. That's not actually, what keeps
32:01
Tesla stock inflated. The next leader has to be able
32:04
to generate Buzz to sell police to play the markets like a
32:08
showman. They need to be more like a
32:10
YouTube personality than a Fortune 500 veteran.
32:13
The board might be better off, looking at figures like Ryan
32:17
Cohen who led games stops memes. Stock Friendzy or Adam Aron of
32:22
AMC who wants appeared in a viral video in his underwear to
32:25
drive up investor morale, that was absurd ass.
32:29
As it might actually be closer to a Tesla needs to survive in
32:32
its current form. Even social media provocateurs,
32:35
like cat turd which is right-wing influencer, might
32:38
make more sense in this weird stock market reality than a
32:42
veteran from Ford. Now, that's the real challenge.
32:45
Tessa is created a structure. That depends on a person who
32:48
resists structure musk's unpredictability is the
32:52
foundation of the company's valuation planning for his
32:54
departure is like trying to blueprint a wildfire, that
32:57
Paradox has led the board to accommodate nearly every whim.
33:01
He has, had over the years, they've absorbed the risk
33:04
because the reward has always come The math might change if
33:09
musk continues to alienate one side.
33:12
If the government starts scrutinizing, his moves, if the
33:15
market turns on him more permanently, the company could
33:18
be left with no margin for error.
33:20
And with out someone ready to step in Tesla, may find itself,
33:24
Stumbling In The Dark Now, Tesla isn't just a company.
33:28
Isn't this Ford or Chevy or whatever?
33:30
So what are the most visible? American manufacturers, the past
33:34
decade help Define the electric vehicle movement and inspired a
33:39
wave of competitors. Now, if test the falters, the
33:43
effects won't be limited to shareholders, though.
33:45
We can Tesla could shift public perception of EVS themselves.
33:49
Delaying broader adaptation. I would also affects workers
33:53
both at Tesla and across its Supply.
33:56
Chains, thousands of jobs depend on the company's continued
33:59
success. They've musk's Behavior, starts
34:01
triggering bigger, Financial shocks.
34:03
Those jobs could disappear communities, that rely on tests
34:07
as factories would feel the blow and suppliers with these
34:10
business. Now, the damage wouldn't stay
34:13
contained. That's why the boards refusal to
34:17
be transparent about succession planning isn't just a question
34:20
about corporate drama. It's a potential economic risk
34:24
Tesla's, too large and two Central to the EV markets to be
34:28
led by someone who refused to share the wheel.
34:31
The board owes it to everyone involved.
34:33
To take that seriously. And to look around to this
34:37
feature depends on more than one man's Christmas in the board has
34:40
a responsibility to prepare for the day.
34:42
When that Charisma, no longer holds what happened to the two
34:47
trillion dollars in savings that Elon Musk.
34:50
Once promised to pull from the federal budget, like a rabbit
34:54
out of a hat. And where is the detail plant?
34:57
Where are the receipts? And why are Republicans
34:59
accelerating a tax overhaul with without waiting for the
35:03
supposedly enormous cuts, the Elon Musk swore would
35:08
materialize? Also, why is no one in
35:11
Washington? These questions out loud?
35:13
Are they talking about it? I'm back in the fall musk
35:17
captured headlines, with sweeping claims.
35:19
He had discovered a way to cut an almost unimaginable 2
35:24
trillion dollars in waste Fraud and Abuse from the federal
35:26
government. Now, that figure was not backed
35:29
by any detail, but budgetary work or itemized list.
35:33
But it was politically useful, you gave the Trump campaign, the
35:36
illusion of a balanced fiscal policy, aggressive tax cuts paid
35:41
for not by gutting, social programs, but by eliminating
35:44
inefficiencies later, the math didn't hold up.
35:47
Must revise is estimate down to one trillion dollars, but even
35:52
that wasn't viewed as realistic by budget analysts.
35:57
Despite the concerns musk held firm in interviews, he described
36:01
uncovering, massive fraud with social security benefits going
36:05
to the deceased. He claimed, and a wide array of
36:08
shady transactions involving non-profit groups.
36:13
His message was Dire. If these savings were not
36:15
realized soon the federal government risked going
36:19
bankrupt. now, the Trump Administration is going ahead
36:23
with tax cuts anyway, Treasurer, secretary Scott dissent has set
36:28
an ambitious deadline urging Congress to pass the new tax
36:32
legislation by July 4th. Two months away.
36:36
The Proposal carries a cost estimated at 500 billion dollars
36:40
per year and that's before factoring and additional
36:43
exemptions giveaways. Such as a plan to eliminate
36:46
taxes on tips, the administration is given no
36:50
indication that it plans to wait for musk's projected savings.
36:53
Before moving forward, these tax cuts are happening regardless of
36:57
whether or not any budgetary offset exists, there is no one
37:02
trillion dollars in hand, there's no final audit, there's
37:06
no finalized policy to reduce spending accordingly that raises
37:10
questions. The savings haven't been
37:12
realized in the spending cuts are nowhere in sight.
37:16
How does the government plan to pay for the tax cuts?
37:20
Short answer is it doesn't and what's taking shape is an
37:23
unfunded text cut. The federal debt will absorb the
37:27
cost at least for now or the next 10 years.
37:30
The price tag could exceed five trillion in according to
37:33
estimates from lawmakers, such as Senator Rand, Paul.
37:36
And Paul, who is one of the few Republicans voicing concerned
37:40
put it bluntly. Yes, weather.
37:42
Washington was serious about cutting spending or whether it
37:45
had quietly accepted ever-increasing debt.
37:48
It was simple though. There's no plan to pay for the
37:51
tax cuts. They will just add to the
37:54
deficit. Musk's plant to deliver a
37:56
trillion dollars and savings through Doge hasn't come close
38:00
to deliver it. On its website Doge claims to
38:03
have uncovered just 160 billion dollars in savings.
38:06
The numbers misleading, though, independent review by the BBC
38:10
found that only 62 billion dollars of those cuts are
38:13
actually itemized within that 33 billion have documented
38:17
receipts. That means he actual confirmed
38:20
savings maybe less than 3% of the trillion dollar figure, the
38:25
musk continues to promote. There's also a problem with how
38:28
these cuts are defined budget, experts point out that many of
38:32
the so called savings appear to be one time items like the sale
38:36
of government assets. A building sold for 10 million
38:39
dollars, can't be sold again next year.
38:42
It's not a reoccurring cut to annual spending.
38:44
It's a temporary boost in Revenue, presenting it as
38:48
ongoing saving misleads the public and Congress alike.
38:52
The route of the skepticism lies at a long history of similar
38:54
promises musk is far from the first person to suggest that
38:58
cutting waste Fraud and Abuse can balance the federal budget
39:01
and the 80s. David Stockman, who served as
39:04
Ronald Reagan's budget director made similar claims in his
39:07
Memoir the Triumph, the politics Stockman later admitted.
39:10
The cuts never came That's because the vast majority of
39:15
federal spending isn't discretionary, it goes to
39:17
programs like Social Security, Medicare Medicaid, military
39:22
spending and interest payments on the national debt.
39:25
This spending is hard to touch with without major political
39:28
consequences that makes any sweeping plan to cut 15% or more
39:32
of the budget has muscles suggested incredibly hard to
39:35
execute even if you eliminated. Every non-defense, discretionary
39:40
program is still wouldn't reach musk's Target.
39:44
Further, undermining musk credibility is the way his team
39:48
has used data, the government accountability officer the GAO
39:53
did Issue an estimate suggesting federal fraud May account for as
39:57
much as 5% total spending. Then number was never meant to
40:02
be definitive. It was presented as a rough
40:05
range, influence heavily by pandemic era, fraud in 2020.
40:09
And 2021 when emergency spending programs were rushed through
40:13
Congress. The GAO didn't endorse the claim
40:17
that have a trillion dollars is routinely stolen from the
40:19
federal budget. In fact is the agency's OWN
40:22
director told reporters that high-end estimate, reflects
40:25
outlier conditions. Now, in a more typical year, the
40:30
level of fraud is much lower, and even when fraud does occur,
40:33
it's difficult to recoup those losses without extensive
40:37
investigation and enforcement. There's another issue that
40:40
undermines must claims the federal government already has.
40:44
Dozens of oversight bodies and anti-fraud mechanisms in place.
40:48
There are 17 separate inspectors general for various departments.
40:54
There's also a strong whistleblower reward system.
40:58
Now last year alone, the federal government paid 400 million
41:02
dollars in whistleblower awards for help uncovering 2.4 billion
41:06
dollars in fraud. If a trillion dollars in fraud
41:09
was really sitting in plain sight, it's hard to imagine that
41:12
no one noticed it before Muslims to have uncovered, a fraud of
41:17
unprecedented scale but he has not produced.
41:20
Whistleblower testimony detailed reports or referrals to law
41:25
enforcement if whistleblowers really knew about fraud at that
41:29
level they could be entitled to tens or even hundreds of
41:33
billions of dollars in rewards yet.
41:35
No one has stepped forward. The contrast between mus Grant
41:39
claims and the underwhelming evidence, make this more than a
41:43
political sideshow. Speaks to a serious issue about
41:47
how public policy is for him to tax cuts and deficit spending,
41:52
have long term consequences, selling them with fictional.
41:55
Offsetting savings is a recipe for financial instability, and
42:01
for ordinary aromatic story matters, because it affects
42:05
national debt in Economic Security.
42:08
Tax cuts are passed without funding future Generations.
42:12
Could face the burden higher deficits often lead to higher
42:16
interest rates inflation or reduce spending on vital
42:20
programs. In the end voters will have to
42:23
pay for today's choices either through taxes or through reduced
42:27
Services. Moreover, the idea that
42:30
government waste is so massive. It could fund both tax cuts and
42:35
deficit reduction, gives people a false sense of security.
42:38
It diverts attention from the real fiscal challenges that the
42:42
country faces. So social programs like Medicare
42:45
and Social Security projected to face long-term funding.
42:49
Shortfalls Pretending those issues can be fixed by cutting.
42:53
Generic waste, doesn't help them at all.
42:56
People also need to understand how these kinds of narratives
42:59
affect policy making when lawmakers rely in exaggerated
43:03
claims. It creates an atmosphere where
43:06
transparency and realism are seen as optional.
43:10
That undermines trust in both government and private
43:13
institutions. So far, musk's team has offered
43:16
no credible evidence, that is proposed, savings are real, or
43:20
repeatable, they provided big numbers and vague stories.
43:23
That's not enough though. If the administration is going
43:27
to pass large tax cuts based on supposed budget savings, it owes
43:32
the public a full accurate accounting of where those
43:35
savings are and how they'll be realized Republican.
43:39
Leadership, isn't waiting for those answers though, they're
43:41
moving forward. Now, the sentence and others are
43:44
betting that, the political momentum for tax cuts is strong
43:48
enough to carry the plan over the Finish Line.
43:50
Even without musk's trillion, dollar cushion, the savings ever
43:54
do materialize. That'll just be a bonus.
43:58
It's not a requirement anymore, though.
43:59
The disconnect between campaign rhetoric and actual policy is
44:03
very glaring. Text Cuts were supposed to be
44:06
paid for by cleaning up the federal budget that clean up his
44:10
barely begun if it ever will. And instead, the cuts will be
44:13
funded to get old-fashioned way. With borrowed money.
44:17
In musk for his part continues to insist, he's on to something.
44:21
He's got it. He says the fraud is there.
44:23
He's fighting to see if the country from bankruptcy but he
44:26
has yet to deliver results on anything like the scale that he
44:30
promised and that's the story. The tax cuts are happening.
44:33
The spending cuts aren't in the two trillion dollar Miracle musk
44:37
promised. Its forgot.
44:40
The Trump Administration is moving ahead with expensive test
44:43
Cuts, without the savings that must promised.
44:46
And so far, this is no credible evidence that money has ever
44:50
existed. Let me know what you think about
44:53
this in the comments down below. Also give this video a like
44:56
thumbs up if you like this kind of content.
44:59
Take care yourself in each other.
45:01
And I'll see you in the next one.
45:04
In India has ordered X to block access to more than 8,000
45:08
accounts or face legal punishment for its local
45:10
employees. Now, X complied with the
45:13
directive, but called the action censorship noting that it
45:16
received little to no evidence or justification in most cases.
45:20
This incident comes amid growing India.
45:23
Pakistan tensions, following a deadly attack and Kashmir and
45:27
raises serious questions about how far governments can go in,
45:31
pressuring platforms, to restrict content X confirmed on
45:34
Thursday, that the Indian government issued multiple
45:37
executive orders demanding, it block thousands of user accounts
45:40
in India, the platforms Global government Affairs.
45:43
Team stated that India threatened significant fines and
45:47
imprisonment for the companies employees based in the country.
45:49
If it refused to imply, Well expertise cashmere killed 26.
45:55
People triggering renewed military friction between India
45:58
and Pakistan and the Indian government's response has
46:01
included digital censorship of accounts, tied to Pakistani
46:04
figures media and public figures.
46:07
Now, officials accused these accounts of sharing what they
46:12
termed as provocative or inflammatory content.
46:16
The Indian ministry of information and broadcasting
46:19
also took action against Pakistani content on YouTube
46:22
blocking. Over doesn't Channel since the
46:24
Kashmir incident, these included, major Pakistani news
46:27
outlets with wide followings. Now, the government said it
46:30
acted under National scrutiny laws or a security laws but did
46:34
not make specific posts public in its jurisdiction.
46:39
Now meta separately restricted, a major Muslim news page on
46:42
Instagram within India. The pages founder said the
46:45
removal, came at the government's request again with
46:48
little explanation, this signals that the censorship is extending
46:52
beyond x to other Global Tech companies operating in the
46:56
country. Now, exit is strongly disagreed
46:59
with the Indian orders but stated Ed, no realistic choice
47:02
but to follow them to protect its employees.
47:04
The company claimed, the move amounted to direct censorship of
47:08
both current and future content. It also emphasized that it had
47:12
received no clear legal explanation from many of the
47:15
accounts flagged. Now, exported out that several
47:19
cases the government failed to identify any individual posts
47:23
that violated Indian law. The company said, many of the
47:25
orders lacked supporting documentation or contacts.
47:28
Now, this lack of transparency has made a harder for the
47:31
platform. The challenge, the government's
47:33
actions under Indian law. Now the issue is especially
47:36
complex because of Elon musk's growing business ties in India.
47:40
Musk met with the Indian Prime Minister Modi in April to
47:44
discuss deeper, cooperation between his company is an Indian
47:47
tech. Sectors, Tesla is planning to
47:49
enter the Indian car market with showrooms, and Delhi, and
47:52
Mumbai, and starlink is a waiting regulatory approval to
47:55
launch satellite internet services in India.
47:58
This puts Elon Musk in a difficult situation.
48:02
And one hand ex claims to stand for free speech and open
48:06
internet. Access on the other hand musk
48:09
has business priorities in India, they require him to
48:12
maintaining working relationship with the Modi government.
48:14
These recent action raised a pressing question, can Global
48:17
Tech platforms maintain their principles while trying to
48:21
expand it to country as with strict information controls the
48:24
Indian government's approach in this case shows that it expects
48:28
platforms to comply with out, detail legal processes or
48:31
justification, the situation creates direct tension between
48:35
company policies and National regulations for users in India.
48:40
This means that because it limits the content, they can
48:44
access online based on opaque decisions for journalists and
48:48
human rights groups. The suppression of international
48:50
and Regional news sources. We can accountability Now, for
48:55
platform employees though, this introduces legal risk, tied to
48:58
decisions, they may have little power to change.
49:02
The Indian government's legal pressure on X May set a
49:05
precedent for future interactions with foreign tech
49:07
companies if the current pattern holds any, social media firm
49:11
that wants to do business in India, will have to accept the
49:14
possibility of orders to block content without detailed
49:18
jurisdiction. Now, the risk is that this
49:21
normalizes government control over what users in India are
49:24
allowed to see or say on line X is legal options in India.
49:29
Remain on clear, the platform has limited to appeal, executive
49:33
orders issued, under India's information laws.
49:35
Specially when National Security is cited.
49:37
Musk's companies may push for policy changes Beyond closed
49:41
doors but public challenges appear unlikely.
49:44
Now, the conflict between India's censorship orders and
49:48
musk's Global business plans will likely continue though the
49:51
Modi government wants tighter control over online narratives.
49:54
So special during moments of heightened, National tension.
49:57
Musk's platforms want to maintain their presence in one
50:01
of the world. Largest markets, but that
50:03
requires compliance within recently, rigid demands.
50:08
Hey, thank you so much for listening today.
50:09
I really do appreciate your support.
50:11
If you could take a second and hit this subscribe or the follow
50:14
button on whatever podcast platform that you're listening
50:16
on right now. I greatly appreciate it.
50:19
Helps out the show tremendously and you'll never miss an episode
50:22
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50:26
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50:30
even more go to patreon.com slash stage zero and please take
50:36
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