The Excerpt: Kara Swisher Unpacks Elon Musk’s Washington Power Play
Introduction:
In a special episode of "The Excerpt" podcast, released on March 19, 2025, host Taylor Wilson dives into the increasingly prominent role of Elon Musk in Washington politics, particularly within the Trump administration. With Musk now seemingly focused on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and deeply embedded within President Trump’s inner circle, the question arises: who is Elon Musk, really, and what motivates his recent foray into the political arena? To answer these questions, Wilson is joined by veteran journalist Kara Swisher, host of the podcasts "Pivot" and "On with Kara Swisher," who has been covering Musk for decades.
Musk’s Early Days and Business Ventures:
Swisher begins by recounting Musk’s early career, starting with Zip2, a company that digitized the yellow pages. While not particularly innovative, it was a sign of Musk’s entrepreneurial drive. After being ousted from Zip2 following its acquisition, he moved on to found X.com, a payments company that later merged with PayPal. Despite also being removed from PayPal, the sale of the company to eBay provided Musk with a substantial fortune, setting the stage for his ambitious future ventures.
Intrigued by Musk’s focus on challenging industries like electric vehicles and space exploration, Swisher noted that he wasn’t content with creating simpler businesses. While Musk didn’t found Tesla, he became a key player, bringing his operational skills to the company. Swisher likens him to a "chaos monkey" but acknowledges his ability to navigate difficult areas. Musk’s personality and determination were instrumental in driving both Tesla and SpaceX forward, at a time when others were hesitant to invest in those fields. He used his wealth to innovate in rocketry, despite not being an expert, and has ventured into projects like Starlink.
The Shift Towards Politics and Trump’s Orbit:
The conversation then shifts to Musk’s recent political involvement and his embrace of Trump. Swisher suggests that Trump’s interest is driven by Musk’s wealth and influence. Musk can serve as a "heat shield" for Trump, providing financial backing and wielding influence over legislators through potential primary challenges. Initially, the relationship between Musk and Trump was characterized by mutual hostility. Musk expressed disdain for Trump.
However, Swisher notes that Musk’s political views appear to have shifted, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. While he had previously expressed interest in climate change and LGBTQ+ rights, he has since taken a more conservative stance. She cites reports of Musk’s drug use, particularly Ketamine, and suggests that personal issues, such as his daughter’s transgender identity, may have contributed to his radicalization.
Musk’s stated motivation for entering politics is a desire to improve government efficiency and reduce the deficit. These are common concerns in Washington, but Swisher points out that government’s primary role is to serve the people, not necessarily to operate like a startup. She characterizes his actions since COVID as radicalized, particularly with respect to government.
Analyzing Musk’s Approach to DOGE Through His Business Practices:
Wilson then probes Swisher on whether Musk’s business career provides insight into his current role in DOGE. Swisher highlights Musk’s high risk tolerance, exemplified by his willingness to risk losing numerous rockets to achieve success. She notes that he has a tendency to disregard rules and regulations, often facing legal repercussions as a result. He fired people from Twitter and just said "come and get me" about severance issues. She also notes his lack of empathy and extreme sensitivity to criticism. She points to his anger at the Biden administration for not inviting him to an EV summit as an example of his grudge-holding nature. He is easily angered by things like SNL skits.
Swisher believes Musk’s ultimate goal is to dismantle parts of the government and is prepared to bulldoze through obstacles to achieve that end. His lack of empathy and willingness to disregard rules make him a formidable force, even if his methods are disruptive and reckless.
Musk’s Potential Boredom and the Implications for the American People:
Addressing concerns about Musk’s potential boredom and whether he might lose interest in DOGE, Swisher believes this is the thing he has been preparing for and he will not get bored. She acknowledges that Musk has a history of jumping from one project to another, often neglecting existing ventures. Tesla’s declining sales and lack of innovation are attributed to Musk’s lack of interest.
While she anticipates that something might happen to make him stop, she thinks it is not something one should count on. The biggest challenge he is taking on is DOGE.
Inside Musk’s Circle: Relationships and Influences:
Wilson seeks insight into Musk’s personal relationships and who influences him. Swisher reveals that many people in Musk’s orbit are afraid of him and hesitant to speak out for fear of retaliation. She mentions Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member, as a potential partner.
Swisher emphasizes that many who have worked for Musk have left due to his manic behavior and abusive treatment. She recounts an anecdote about Musk kicking over trash cans at Neuralink to illustrate his disruptive management style. He has no interest in knowing what any of the government workers do, he only cares about breaking things.
When asked about who might be influencing Musk’s embrace of far-right ideologies, Swisher describes him as a troublemaker. She expresses disappointment that his questioning nature has turned into a desire to destroy things. She is frustrated with his constant insulting of others.
A Force for Good Gone Astray:
Swisher concludes with a sense of sadness and frustration. She laments that Musk, once a force for innovation and potential good, has instead chosen to divide and disrupt. She questions his sincerity regarding climate change, given his alignment with conservative forces. She believes he could have brought people together and done great things, such as furthering space travel. Ultimately, she sees Musk as someone who has squandered his potential by indulging his personal problems and seeking constant attention.
