logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
31m 39s

The political transformation of Elon Mus...

THE TIMES
About this episode

Whether amplifier of far-right voices or dogged defender of free speech, Elon Musk divides opinion. But what’s led the one-time political liberal to come out for Donald Trump and a raft of conservative causes? 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory  


Guest: James Ball, tech journalist and author.  

Host: Manveen Rana. 


Clips: X.com/Kamala Harris AI generated audio.   

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk 

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
How Trump’s using the government shutdown to remake America
The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and ... Show More
28m 2s
Yesterday
My daughter used ChatGPT as a therapist, then took her own life
When 29-year-old Sophie Rottenberg took her own life, her family later discovered she’d been confiding in a chatbot called ‘Harry’ things that she wasn’t telling any human.This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling, help i ... Show More
27m 32s
Oct 7
Should pro-Palestine protests be held on October 7?
Two years ago Hamas fighters launched a terror attack on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostage.The Hamas-linked Gaza health authorities say tens of thousands have been killed in the subsequent war, which has devastated the area and led to catastroph ... Show More
32m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Trump, Elon, and Silicon Valley’s Political Sway
Audie talks with journalist Kara Swisher about the rise of Silicon Valley’s big donors and how Trump won some of them over. Plus, how Kamala Harris’ California roots have worked to her advantage with tech donors.Kara is the author of “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story.”  Learn more ab ... Show More
31m 7s
Nov 2024
Elon Musk Launches Into American Politics
After single-handedly remaking the auto industry, social media and the global space race, Elon Musk is now turning his attention, and personal fortune, to politics.Over the past few months, he became one of the most influential figures in the race for president, and on Tuesday Do ... Show More
28m 43s
Feb 2025
How Elon Musk Is Infiltrating Washington
Elon Musk and his team have taken a hacksaw to the federal bureaucracy one agency at a time, and the question has become whether he’s on a crusade that will leave the government paralyzed or deliver a shake-up it has needed for years.Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The ... Show More
32m 30s
Oct 2024
Comment Elon Musk s’est-il mis au service de Donald Trump et peut-il le faire gagner ?
Ces dernières semaines, Elon Musk a mis les bouchées doubles pour soutenir Donald Trump, montant sur scène avec l’ancien président lors d’un meeting de campagne et organisant lui-même des réunions publiques en Pennsylvanie. Depuis juillet, le dirigeant de Tesla et SpaceX a cumulé ... Show More
21m 59s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk's DOGE Takes Control Of Federal Spending
Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a "special government employee." What has Musk been able to accomplish thus far? This e ... Show More
15m 3s
Apr 2025
Is Elon Musk Buying Today’s Election in Wisconsin?
On paper, the election in Wisconsin on Tuesday is about who should control the state’s highest court. In reality, it has become a referendum on Elon Musk, his agenda in Washington and his willingness to flood American politics with his money.Reid J. Epstein, who has been covering ... Show More
27m 53s
Jan 2025
Elon Musk’s political evolution
Why is Elon Musk increasingly trying to influence UK politics?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 
31m 40s
Apr 2025
Elon Musk and Donald Trump Are Finally (Maybe) Breaking Up
When protesters converged this past weekend across America, they seized on two central villains: Donald Trump and Elon Musk. On this episode, host and Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones, along with executive editor Claire Howorth and Hive editor Michael Calderone, discuss ... Show More
37m 4s
Apr 2025
How Elon Musk Pulled X Back From the Brink
After years of trying to revive his flailing social media company, Elon Musk has pulled off a turnaround at X. It comes after Musk decided to merge X with his artificial intelligence company xAI. The deal values the combined business at over $100 billion. WSJ’s Alexander Saeedy e ... Show More
17m 47s
Aug 2024
Musk and Trump! Best of frenemies?
Elon Musk and Donald Trump connected on X to broadcast a long conversation which covered topics ranging from immigration, the economy and freedom of speech.The pair have developed a close relationship in the two years since Donald Trump called Musk a liar at a rally. So what's be ... Show More
30m 24s