logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
40m 7s

Taking On the Tech Oligarchs, with Taylo...

Zeteo
About this episode
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.com

‘We’re Not Kidding’ is back! After a not-very-relaxing holiday break, Mehdi is joined by tech and online culture journalist (and new Zeteo contributor!) Taylor Lorenz to discuss the new age of American oligarchy. Trump is back in office and his inauguration was a star-studded showcase of spineless tech billionaires. 

Mehdi and Taylor also unpack the dumbfounding blunder of Democrats’ TikTok ban, why private ownership of social media platforms by “red-pilled billionaires” is actually BAD for free speech, the MAGAfication of Elon Musk, and whether Mark Zuckerberg looks cool now. Taylor also pushes back against the argument made by Zeteo guest writer Will Stancil, who called for Democrats to go to war with social media companies. “Then just get on board with Republicans! This is the problem, is people like that. That is so stupid!” 

SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: https://zeteo.com/subscribe

WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO ‘WE’RE NOT KIDDING’ ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/were-not-kidding-with-mehdi-and-friends

FIND ZETEO:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonews

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonews

FIND MEHDI:

Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasan

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasan

FIND TAYLOR:

Twitter: https://x.com/TaylorLorenz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz

CREDITS:

Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan

Guest Host: Taylor Lorenz

Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi

Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello

Music: Andy Clausen

Design: Alicia Tatone

Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera

Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali

Special thanks to: Stephen Wentzell

Up next
Jun 24
Live from LA! - Alana Hadid on Gaza, Mahmoud Khalil, and How Palestinians Remain Hopeful
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.comLast week, Mehdi and Zeteo concluded our five-city tour, so we obviously had to end with a special LIVE taping of ‘We’re Not Kidding’ and audience Q&A with returning co-host Alana Hadid — an activist, designer ... Show More
1 h
Jun 11
‘The Immigrant Dilemma’ - Yasmin Elhady on Muslim Matchmaking, Comedy, and Looking Different
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.comSince the launch of ‘We’re Not Kidding’, Mehdi has sat down with some of the most multi-talented multi-hyphenates working in entertainment and media. But few wear as many caps as this week’s guest co-host, Yas ... Show More
43m 59s
May 15
‘Sane Fascists or Insane Fascists?’ - Molly Jong-Fast on the President’s Mental Health Issues
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit zeteo.comIt’s been almost four months (!) of Donald Trump’s second term and it’s become nearly impossible to keep track of the president’s unhinged behavior. Fortunately, Mehdi and political analyst Molly Jong-Fast, ho ... Show More
34m 3s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Trump 2024: The Patriotism Paradox
With less than a week until the election, Americans face a stark choice about their country's future. While Trump's supporters wave flags from the Revolutionary War — a war fought against a king —Trump seeks to expand presidential authority and claim immunity from wrongdoing. Thi ... Show More
1h 2m
Dec 2024
Reflecting on 2024 with Mark Cuban
As 2024 draws to a close, we're joined by Mark Cuban to reflect on how technology, business, and politics shaped this year. Together we explore his foray into the political arena as a surrogate for Kamala Harris, his mission to disrupt America's healthcare system, and ways govern ... Show More
1h 13m
Oct 2024
How Algorithms, Money, & Bureaucracy Distance us from Democracy
With the election just over a month away, Americans are caught between a flood of political promises and the reality that we live in a time of political dysfunction. Joining us this week to explore the root causes are Ezra Klein, opinion columnist at The New York Times, host of " ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 16
ICE Riots, Iran Strikes and Reflections from a Week in America - Konstantin Kisin
Konstantin reflects on his recent trip to America. | SPONSOR. We use Ground News to escape the echo chamber and stay fully informed. Go to https://ground.news/triggernometry to save 40% on the Ground News unlimited access Vantage plan. Join our exclusive TRIGGERnometry community ... Show More
8m 13s
Jul 2024
Biden 2024: It Is What It Is?
After a lackluster debate performance, calls are mounting for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. Yet, he insists he is still running. Is this the right move? Joining us to explore our current conundrum, we’re joined by Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, Founders of Crooked ... Show More
58m 26s
Oct 2024
Pay Pals: How Billionaires Influence Elections
Money in politics isn't new, but billionaire influence in our elections has reached staggering levels – and 2024 could break all previous election spending records. From the presidential race to down ballot elections and think tanks to media empires, wealthy donors are reshaping ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 3
Jon Stewart on Musk's Black-Eyed Exit & Trump's Insane New Biden Conspiracy | Carole Cadwalladr
Jon Stewart tracks Elon Musk's White House crash, from the high of being Trump's "first buddy" to the low of his black-eyed DOGE send-off. Now that the 100-day honeymoon is over, Jon also checks in on Trump's other struggling cabinet members, like the FBI's burned-out deputy dire ... Show More
41m 39s
Jun 12
Protests, Emergency Powers, and Petty Feuds
This week, with the military deployed to LA and readying to parade in DC, Jon is joined by Jill Lepore, Professor of History and Law at Harvard University, and Kevin M. Kruse, Professor of History at Princeton University. Together, they consider what history reveals about moments ... Show More
1h 15m
Nov 2024
Trump Will Renegotiate the World - Eric Weinstein
Eric Weinstein is a mathematician, former Managing Director of Thiel Capital, an economist and podcaster.Follow Eric on X - https://x.com/EricRWeinstein Sponsor: ExpressVPN - Go to https://www.expressvpn.com/trigger/ to get 4 extra months with the 12-month plan or 6 extra months ... Show More
1h 16m
Jan 2025
Musk, Zuckerberg and Free Speech
The billionaire owner of X has made misleading claims about Keir Starmer’s handling of the grooming gangs scandal and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has announced the end of independent fact-checking on Meta’s platforms in the US. The move comes as Zuckerberg and other tech executives ... Show More
49m 22s