logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
12m 32s

Swamp Notes: Where does Musk fit in Maga...

Financial Times
About this episode

Elon Musk’s first big foray into politics was a success — he used his world-leading fortune and mass media platform to help Donald Trump regain the White House. But now, just weeks before Trump’s inauguration, some Republicans are pushing back against Musk’s influence. The FT’s Washington correspondent Joe Miller and US business and politics correspondent Alex Rogers join this week’s Swamp Notes to discuss how Musk is navigating a future in Washington. 


Mentioned in this podcast:

Top Democrats warm to Elon Musk’s US government cost-cutting mission

Elon Musk’s fight with Maga reveals split on immigration within Trump’s circle

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here


Swamp Notes is mixed by Samantha Giovinco and produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. 


CREDIT: Bannons_WarRoom/X


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com



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

Up next
Today
BCG tries to limit Gaza work fallout
EU negotiators are closing in on a trade deal with Donald Trump that would cement higher tariffs than those granted to the UK, and Boston Consulting Group’s chief executive said the group’s involvement with a postwar plan for Gaza had been “reputationally very damaging”. Plus, Eu ... Show More
10m 31s
Yesterday
Liechtenstein's zombie-trust apocalypse
US President Donald Trump extended tariff deadlines, and Liechtenstein’s trust industry is in a crisis spurred by American sanctions against Russia. Plus, Shein filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong, and Elon Musk is trying to save Tesla from Trump. Mentioned in this ... Show More
11m 18s
Jul 7
US stocks: rally or overcorrection?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington DC today to discuss a Gaza ceasefire proposal with US President Donald Trump, and US stocks are booming again despite uncertainty about the wider economy. Plus, Hong Kong’s stock exchange is attracting lots of companies, ... Show More
10m 9s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 11
Elon and Trump need space
Vox’s Joshua Keating explains why the US government can’t have a big, beautiful breakup with Elon Musk. And now that he’s left DOGE, Elaine Kamarck from Brookings explains what happens to it. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Amina ... Show More
29m 32s
Apr 4
Is Elon Musk leaving the White House?
There was a bright spot for Democrats this week after a liberal judge beat her conservative rival in the most expensive judicial election in US history. Susan Crawford beat Brad Schimel despite being backed by President Donald Trump's billionaire adviser Elon Musk. The results ca ... Show More
32m 56s
Apr 1
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
Jul 3
Trump v Musk round 2: One Big Beautiful Bill
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading blows again after Musk criticised the President’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill. Trump has threatened to deport the world’s richest man and set his Doge 'monster' on him. So why does Musk hate the bill, and could this push him to se ... Show More
25m 38s
Jun 6
Why Musk Picked This Fight With Trump
P.M. Edition for June 6. As the dust settles from the blowup between President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, Republicans choose sides even as some are asking why one of the most consequential alliances in modern American politics had to end this way. We hear from congressional ... Show More
12m 3s
Jun 6
Why Musk Picked This Fight With Trump
P.M. Edition for June 6. As the dust settles from the blowup between President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, Republicans choose sides even as some are asking why one of the most consequential alliances in modern American politics had to end this way. We hear from congressional ... Show More
13m 53s
Aug 2024
CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell, 08/13/24
United Auto Workers has filed federal charges against Elon Musk and Former President Trump after they spoke of striking workers last night. The Trump campaign has called the suit a political stunt. Robert, we also have some new details on key speakers, at least initially, announc ... Show More
25m 18s
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
Feb 2025
Is Elon a Drag on Trump?
Elon Musk holds a rambling Oval Office press conference and admits that he and DOGE will make mistakes as they rampage through our government, even as congressional Republicans move forward with a budget that promises massive cuts to healthcare, education, and food assistance to ... Show More
1h 26m
Aug 2024
Breaking down Trump and Elon’s 'biggest interview in history'
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has made a significant (and significantly delayed) return to social media platform X, formally known as Twitter, in a ‘live conversation’ with the platform's owner and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Well over 1 ... Show More
16m 55s