Fed Chair Investigation, Trump's Oil Deals, and California's Proposed Wealth Tax
Scott is back! He and Kara discuss Fed Chair Jerome Powell's response to the DOJ's criminal investigation. Plus, Trump pressures oil executives to invest in Venezuela, and California’s proposed wealth tax has billionaires fleeing. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel.Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial.Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.socialFollow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast.Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email Pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fed Chair Investigation, Trump's Oil Deals, and Scott's Absence Explained
Scott is back — and he has a lot of explaining to do about his recent absence. Then, he and Kara discuss Fed Chair Jerome Powell's response to the DOJ's criminal investigation. Plus, Trump pressures oil executives to invest in Venezuela, and California’s proposed wealth tax has billionaires fleeing. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel.Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial.Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.socialFollow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast.Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email Pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump's Venezuela Oil Gambit, ICE Shooting Fallout, and Warner Bros. Says No (Again)
Kara welcomes Audie Cornish and Bill Cohan to unpack President Trump's controversial Venezuela strategy, and his pitch to oil executives. Bill reveals what he'd tell any client eyeing Greenland as an investment. Then: the fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota that's sparking national outrage, why Warner Bros. just rejected another Paramount buyout offer, and how Grok managed to sink even lower. Check out more from Audie on “CNN This Morning, and the podcast, “The Assignment.” Find more from Bill on Puck. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kimmel & ABC, Nvidia’s OpenAI Investment, and Tylenol’s Trump Problem
Kara and Scott discuss the aftermath of Jimmy Kimmel's highly-rated return, Nvidia’s $100 billion investment in OpenAI, and what Tylenol's parent company should do about the attacks from the Trump administration. Plus, YouTube will reinstate accounts banned for posting misinformation, and a Charlie Kirk poster at Office Depot reignites a fight over whether businesses can refuse service. We’re nominated for a Signal Award! Vote for us here! Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jimmy Kimmel Returns, Charlie Kirk’s Memorial, and Trump’s H1-B Visa Shake-Up
Kara and Scott discuss Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, Jimmy Kimmel’s return, and the Trump administration sending big tech into panic over H1-B visas. Plus, Trump takes to Truth Social to tell AG Pam Bondi to prosecute his enemies, and more details about the supposed TikTok deal. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel, Pam Bondi’s Free Speech Mess, and Trump Sues The New York Times
Kara and Scott discuss ABC pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for a joke about the Charlie Kirk shooting, Trump filing a defamation suit against the New York Times, and Pam Bondi attempting to clean up her “hate speech” mess. Plus, FBI Director Kash Patel’s heated testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Nvidia's $5 billion investment in Intel, and President Trump's fourth extension of the TikTok ban deadline. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kirk Suspect Motives, TikTok "Framework" Deal, and Tucker Carlson Plays Detective
Kara and Scott unpack the rage and division following Charlie Kirk’s assassination — and who’s fueling it. Then, the Trump administration touts a “framework” for a TikTok deal. Plus, Paramount makes a play for Warner Bros., OpenAI reshapes its partnership with Microsoft, and Tucker Carlson pushes conspiracy theories. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel.Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial.Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.socialFollow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast.Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Charlie Kirk Assassination Aftermath
Kara and Scott break down the reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah. Then, mass protests in Nepal, Larry Ellison becomes the richest person in the world as Oracle stock soars, and Apple rolls out new iPhones. Plus, Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book, and Kamala Harris says Biden’s run was fueled by “recklessness.” Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dept. of War Rebrand, Trump's Tech Bro Dinner, and Elon's Pay Package
Kara and Scott discuss Trump rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, and his "grotesque" dinner with Big Tech leaders. Then, how Tesla's new pay package could make Elon a trillionaire. Plus, RFK Jr.'s continued chaos, and Anthropic's $1.5 billion copyright settlement. Watch this episode on the Pivot YouTube channel.Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial.Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.socialFollow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast.Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DOGE’s Chaos Strategy, X’s New Valuation, and Guest Co-Host Katie Drummond
Kara is joined by guest co-host Katie Drummond of WIRED! They talk all things DOGE: Is Elon Musk not in charge? How much have cuts actually saved so far? Is Steve Bannon a fan? Plus, X is in talks to raise money at a valuation of $44 billion, which is the same amount Elon Musk bought it for. Read more from WIRED here. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Elon's OpenAI Bid, Trump's Judicial Strategy, and DOGE's Shock and Awe
Kara and Scott share their reactions to Elon Musk calling them "cruel, mean, & deceitful human beings." Then, they dig into Elon (and a group of investors) making a $97 billion bid for control of OpenAI, and what exactly will come of it. Plus, Trump's latest tariff threats, and his master plan to discredit judges and weaken the judiciary branch. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Elon Pushback, Trump's Distraction Trap, and Disney Earnings
Kara and Scott discuss Elon Musk's continued coup, and how Democrats are starting to push back. Then, President Trump shares his bizarre idea for the U.S. to take over Gaza, but is it just part of a larger plan to flood the zone, and distract from Elon's power grab? Plus, the latest earnings from Disney, Alphabet, and Spotify. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DeepSeek Fallout, Meta Settles with Trump, and Guest Host Reid Hoffman
Kara and Scott are joined by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and the author of the new book: "Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future." They discuss DeepSeek hype and fears, and why spending money on AI is a good thing. Then, Meta settles with Trump for $25 million, and the White House takes a page out of Elon's playbook to offer buyouts to federal employees. Plus, the contentious (and frightening) RFK, Jr. hearings. And will Kara get a podcaster seat at the White House briefings? Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DeepSeek Shockwaves, Nvidia's Plunge, and Target's DEI Rollback
Kara and Scott discuss the panic in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street over China's new AI model DeepSeek, which sent Nvidia and other tech stocks plunging. Is this a troubling trend for AI and the markets? Then, Trump almost starts a trade war with Colombia, and Oracle is reportedly in talks to take over Tiktok. Plus, Target becomes the latest company to end its DEI efforts. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Musk vs. Altman, Trump Admin's DEI Crackdown, and Netflix Stock Surge
Kara and Scott discuss Netflix's stock surging as subscriber growth breaks records yet again, and the SEC forming a crypto taskforce. Then, the Trump administration's disturbing new policy orders federal employees to report on their colleagues as part of the DEI crackdown. Plus, Elon trolls the new Trump-supported AI venture, and gets trolled by Sam Altman in return. Finally, the latest names in the mix for a TikTok deal, including MrBeast. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump Takes Office, TikTok’s Brief Shutdown, and Crypto Cronyism
Kara and Scott are coming to you on a Wednesday to discuss President Trump’s inauguration, and his barrage of Day 1 executive orders. Then, TikTok is back in the U.S. after briefly shutting down: what happens next? Also, President Biden’s last-minute pardons, Vivek Ramaswamy’s DOGE departure, and the First Couple’s meme coin frenzy. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Zuck's Masculine Energy, Bannon vs. Musk, and Wildfires Misinformation
Kara and Scott discuss TikTok's prospects after the recent Supreme Court hearing, and Steve Bannon taking on Elon Musk. Then, firefighters are still battling California's wildfires, but misinformation on social media is making things worse. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg praises "masculine energy," and of course, Kara and Scott have thoughts. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meta Ends Fact Checking, Trump Tries to Redraw the Map, and the Los Angeles Fires
Kara and Scott discuss the devastating fires in Los Angeles. They also have thoughts about the decision to end Meta’s fact-checking program. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump has spent the week talking about annexing Greenland, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, and making Canada the 51st state. Finally, a listener mail question about responsible podcasting. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
CEO Shooting, Bitcoin Surge, and Bezos’s Trump Optimism
Kara and Scott discuss the highlights from The New York Times DealBook Summit, including Jeff Bezos saying he’s “optimistic” about a second Trump term, and Sam Altman trying to make nice with Elon Musk. Then, the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has prompted a wave of reactions on social media. Plus, the French government collapsed on Wednesday, and South Korea’s president is facing impeachment after declaring martial law. Also, in good news for cryptocurrency, Trump’s new SEC pick has caused Bitcoin to surge. Stay tuned for listener mail to hear Kara and Scott pick their dream administrations. Vote in this week’s poll here! Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social. Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bluesky's Moment, Crony Capitalism, and Guest Julie Scelfo of MAMA
Kara and Scott discuss the "Glicked" effect on the box office, and Amazon's new $4 billion investment in Anthropic. Then, Elon Musk and Vivek Rameswamy bring their Silicon Valley buddies into the Department of Government Efficiency, while President-elect Donald Trump gets Wall Street's approval with his Treasury Secretary pick. Plus, Bluesky continues to surge, and Meta appears to be feeling the heat. Our Friend of Pivot is Julie Scelfo, the founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction or MAMA. Julie explains why she wants transparency, accountability, and legislation to protect kids online. Find MAMA at joinmama.org. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at @pivotpodcastofficial. Follow us on Bluesky at @pivotpod.bsky.social Follow us on TikTok at @pivotpodcast. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices