logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
32m 30s

How Elon Musk Is Infiltrating Washington

The New York Times
About this episode
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 New York Times, takes us inside this hostile takeover of Washington. 
Up next
Yesterday
'The Interview': John Green Knows That No One Really Loves You on the Internet
<p>The writer and YouTube star on trying to get back to the experiences that make us feel alive.</p><ul><li>Thoughts? Email us at <strong>theinterview@nytimes.com</strong></li><li>Watch our show on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewpodcast"><strong>youtube.co ... Show More
44m 16s
Nov 21
Parenting a Trans Kid in Trump’s America
<p>Since starting his second term, President Trump has thrown the full weight of the federal government behind the denying the idea of transgender identity, and pushing to prevent trans minors from getting gender-affirming medical care.</p><p>Two parents of a trans child discuss ... Show More
43m 54s
Nov 20
Is There an A.I. Bubble? And What if It Pops?
<p>After years of soaring optimism and colossal investment, Wall Street has begun to seriously question whether the frenzy for A.I. is justified.</p><p>Cade Metz, who covers technology for The New York Times, explains why Silicon Valley companies believe so fervently in A.I. and ... Show More
25m 1s
Recommended Episodes
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
Sep 19
F.C.C. Head Says Kimmel Not ‘the Last Shoe to Drop,’ and Musk Goes All In on A.I.
<p>Plus, your Friday news quiz. </p><p><strong>On Today’s Episode:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/us/politics/trump-fcc-licenses.html" target="_blank"><strong>Trump Pressures Broadcasters Over Critical Coverage, Escalating Attack on Speech</strong></a> ... Show More
14m 40s
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 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
Aug 2024
The political transformation of Elon Musk
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 Th ... Show More
31m 39s
Apr 2025
Americanswers…on 5 Live! Is Elon Musk being forced out of the White House?
Elon Musk says he’s stepping back from his role at DOGE and refocusing on Tesla after the electric car firm reported a huge drop in profit and sales for the start of this year. We look at whether he could be on his way out completely.Donald Trump meanwhile says he’ll be attending ... Show More
30m 20s
Feb 2025
Elon Musk's 'hostile takeover' of Washington
<p>When Donald Trump took office, he appointed Elon Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency - or DOGE - a new agency designed to radically slash federal costs. Since inauguration day Musk has done just that, laying off thousands of staff, freezing America's entire ... Show More
34m 9s
Feb 2025
Resistance, Where Art Thou?
Gone are the days of pussy hats and massive protests. Where is the resistance to Donald Trump’s second term?Lydia Polgreen and David French join this week to talk about the muted outcry to Trump and Musk’s plans to upend the federal government and where the most effective forms o ... Show More
43m 13s
Feb 2025
What Elon Musk Wants
<p>Elon Musk has been on a slash-and-burn tear through the federal government — gaining access to I.T. systems, dismantling U.S.A.I.D. and unleashing a firehose of attacks on his platform, X, accusing the bureaucracy of various conspiratorial crimes.</p><p>As this all unfolds bef ... Show More
1h 7m