The John Johnston Lounge

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk has now become by the largest U.S. midterm election donor, to try and save Republican’s Senate majority with some of the biggest political donations in history.  Send Episode Feedback: ⁠thejjlchat@proton.me If you value your digital privacy like I do, consider a Proton Mail deal:  https://go.getproton.me/SH32U (and signing up supports the pod...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down part of an interview with MUSK documentary maker Alex Gibney, by Mehdi Hasan. Gibney describes how he thinks that Elon Musk is in part a classic trickster or “confidence man”, rather than some genius inventor or engineer; he’s an expert at selling people dreams.  Send Episode Feedback: thejjlchat@proton.me If you value your digital privacy like I do, consider Proton...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down a brief part of an extensive interview with MUSK director Alex Gibney, and ex-wife Justine Musk, from On With Kara Swisher, about the new MUSK documentary and Elon Musk the flawed person. JJ also discusses the new David Byrne song “Let Me Sell You A Dream”, which is part of the documentary soundtrack. The question is asked: do the bad things Elon has done now outweig...

John Johnston (JJ) asks the question: was the recent, very public breakup of Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis just a PR move, more to do with business and geopolitics than for personal reasons? Drey, from The Drey Dossier, thinks she may have joined the dots that point to this. Send Episode Feedback: thejjlchat@proton.me If you value your online privacy like I do, consider Proton Mail:  https://go.getpr...

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to part of a recent On with Kara Swisher interview with the maker of the new MUSK documentary, Alex Gibney, and with Elon’s first wife Justine Musk. Gibney describes Elon as unhinged but with enormous power. Justine describes Elon as thriving on chaos and intensity. JJ also reacts to part of an Mehdi Hasan interview with Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor, who discuss Elon Musk...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how billionaires in multiple countries are “donating” to political parties and third party groups in order to influence politics and elections in their favor. JJ discusses what’s currently happening in the United States leading up to the midterm elections, and in New Zealand leading up to the national election.  Get the Proton Mail deal: https://go.getproton.me/SH32U...

John Johnston (JJ) discusses and reacts to some of the recent thoughts of tech oligarch or “broligarch” Peter Thiel, and some of his high profile critics: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor. Is Peter Thiel more dangerous to democracy than the likes of Elon Musk, even though not as publicly visible?  Referenced videos: Why are the super rich obsessed with the apocalypse? | LBC  https://youtu.be/lFZ8-OLTl...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down Elon Musk’s apparent hypocrisy when it comes to working with and praising China and its leader, while at the same time (falsely) blasting Democrats, and even one high profile MAGA supporter as being communists.  Elon Musk, China, Tesla, Elon Musk China, US politics, geopolitics, John Johnston, JJ, Elon Musk hypocrisy, Tesla China, MAGA, Democrats, political commentar...

John Johnston (JJ) gives an update on how the AI Bubble is playing out so far, and the cracks that are starting to show, especially in financing associated with the massive AI data center buildout.   Referenced videos: Cracks Are Showing In The Data Center Boom | Prog G Markets https://youtu.be/yasYNC_5Ki8 Hyperscalers are hiding a massive secret about uninstalled GPUs | Ed Zitron | The Tech Repor...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the controversy over the new Musk documentary trailer for the latest Alex Gibney documentary: MUSK.  Referenced videos: Musk | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street https://youtu.be/eY_8SyndC10 CNN Bombshell UNVEILED As Elon Musk Investment Revealed | The Damage Report https://youtu.be/ct7A6EQ4RGk

John Johnston (JJ) reflects on some of the similarities and differences between Elon Musk and Elizabeth Holmes, sparked by Alex Gibney’s documentaries and interview comments about both tech company CEO’s. Both figures have made highly questionable comments about their companies’ products to the public and investors. Elizabeth Holmes went to prison. Elon Musk (briefly) became a trillionaire. Refere...

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a recent interview with the ‘Musk’ documentary maker Alex Gibney, about Elon Musk and the soon to be released film. He discusses Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD issues, and the way Elon has promoted it, as well as Elon’s seizing of political power with DOGE. Related episodes: Musk Doc: Is Universal Too Scared of Elon To Release It? https://youtu.be/L7GJShK2xoE “Megalomaniac...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Universal may be getting cold feet about releasing the new Elon Musk documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Comcast-owned studio is being slow to commit to rolling it out internationally. Is political pressure being applied by Elon Musk and the Trump administration behind the scenes? elon musk, alex...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the new book and companion video from Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor: ‘End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World.’ The book investigates how tech billionaires are preparing for “the end times,” even as they accelerate global inequality, political instability, and climate change.  Related episode: The Elon Musk Documentary Just Premiered. It’s Brutal. https:/...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down some new reviews of the new ‘Musk’ documentary by Oscar-winning documentary maker Alex Gibney, which indicate the film is brutal for Elon Musk, as well as engrossing but also terrifying for viewers. The Musk documentary is set for release in mid-October 2026. Previous episodes in this ‘Musk” documentary series: Elon Musk ‘Offered $40M’ To Silence His Ex. She Refused!...

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to part of a recent podcast interview between Jennifer Welch and Elon Ex Ashley St. Clair, who discusses recent claims thrown at her by Elon, after she made some revelations about Elon in the Alex Gibney documentary Musk. The documentary which is due to be released publicly in October, after premiering at the Venice Film Festival to rave reviews. Related Episodes: The New...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how the ‘Musk’ documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney says he doesn't 'really care' what Elon Musk thinks of his documentary. Elon has been lashing out at Gibney on his social media platform X. Elon’s legal team, including high profile lawyer Alex Spiro, is also threatening to take legal action over aspects of the documentary. The film has just premiered at th...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Elon Musk is clearly triggered by the new ‘Musk’ documentary by Oscar award-winner filmmaker Alex Gibney, which has just premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a standing ovation and rave reviews. Through his high profile lawyer, Elon is threatening legal action. Elon Musk, Alex Gibney, Musk documentary, Elon Musk documentary, Alex Gibney Elon Musk, Venice Film...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how “Musk,” a no holds barred documentary probing Elon Musk’s life and career, has just premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and received a long standing ovation and rave reviews. The new Musk documentary promises to have quite the impact when it’s released publicly.  Referenced videos: Alex Gibney speaks on Elon Musk documentary https://www.youtube.com/live/jMPNCQ...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Elon Musk’s vocal defense of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on X, intersected with their historic state election victory. JJ explores how global tech platforms such as X and TikTok are influencing European politics, the fracturing of Germany’s post-war democratic consensus, and the sobering historical parallels of rising nationalism. Elon Musk, AfD, Alternativ...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Tesla has just had its official launch of the Cybercab, and it turned out to be a bit of a nothing-burger, with Elon Musk not showing up, and a couple of million people waiting for a livestream that didn’t happen. Telsa influencers have still been raving about it though, of course.  Referenced videos: Tesla's Cybercab launch did not live up to the hype, says...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down “Musk”, an explosive new film about Elon Musk, from Oscar-winning documentary director Alex Gibney, which suggests that Elon, the richest person on earth, may also be the most dangerous. Elon Musk, Alex Gibney, Musk documentary, Musk film, Alex Gibney Elon Musk, Elon Musk documentary, documentary breakdown, documentary review, Elon Musk exposed, richest man in the wo...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the escalating phenomenon of the world’s ultra-wealthy buying ‘golden visas” for New Zealand, as part of a “safe haven” or back-up plan, in case they need to escape from undesirable living and political situations where they primarily reside. Famously, Peter Thiel was able to easily buy New Zealand citizenship and land. Referenced video: Why New Zealand Is the Only S...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how AI tech CEOs and executives are panicking about the increasingly negative public image of their AI tech. They are now cynically trying to pivot their public messaging about unpopular AI data centers. AI broligarchs, AI public backlash, AI tech CEOs, big tech panic, AI data centers, data center backlash, tech news, artificial intelligence critique, tech commentary...

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Ed Zitron’s critique of AI tech and the AI market boom or bubble has gone mainstream, with the media coverage he’s now getting, including The Diary Of A CEO interview. JJ clarifies what he agrees with in Zitron’s AI Bubble critique, and what he doesn’t. Referenced videos: The Man Who Calls BS On AI: They’re LYING About AI, 2027 Is When It All Breaks! | Ed Zitron...