PivotKara Swisher Says New AI Executive Order Is “Idiotic” | Pivot
CHAPTERS
Weekend tragedies: Brown University shooting and Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack
Kara and Scott open by setting aside their usual banter to acknowledge multiple acts of violence. They recount early details from the Brown University shooting and the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, emphasizing the shock of public gatherings being targeted.
- •Two killed and multiple injured in a shooting at Brown University; suspect unknown
- •At least 15 killed at a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi Beach; shooters identified as father and son
- •Story of a bystander who wrestled a gun away becomes a small moment of heroism
- •Hosts frame the episode’s tone around grief and anger over repeated violence
Campus safety, radicalization, and why the U.S. can’t curb mass shootings
Scott moves from the incidents into a broader critique of U.S. gun culture and political paralysis. He contrasts Australia’s rarity of mass shootings with America’s frequency and argues that special interests thwart widely supported gun reforms.
- •Scott’s view: campuses are becoming physically less safe while discourse becomes more restricted
- •Common pattern he cites: isolated young men, online radicalization, easy access to firearms
- •Australia’s first mass shooting in decades vs. the U.S. averaging more than one per day
- •NRA/special interests and a “passive majority” prevent popular gun-safety measures
Antisemitism and ‘globalizing the Intifada’: fear, symbols, and normalization of hate
The conversation shifts to antisemitism and how political rhetoric and online amplification can create ‘cloud cover’ for violence. They discuss the fear of publicly displaying Jewish symbols and debate how much campus slogans and social media contribute to escalation.
- •Scott: antisemitism often takes a conspiratorial form that can rationalize offensive violence
- •Personal anecdote: hesitation to display a Star of David due to safety concerns
- •Kara: notes longstanding history of antisemitism; points to social media as an accelerant
- •Australia’s response vs. U.S. inaction; discussion of limiting youth social media exposure
Rob Reiner’s death, Trump’s reaction, and remembering Reiner’s legacy
Kara recounts reports around Rob Reiner and his wife’s deaths and condemns Trump’s public comments. They then pivot to celebrating Reiner’s artistic output and political activism, naming major films and his progressive civic impact.
- •Kara reads and criticizes Trump’s Truth Social post about Reiner
- •Kara and Scott reflect on Reiner’s films and cultural influence (e.g., A Few Good Men, Princess Bride)
- •Reiner’s activism highlighted (e.g., marriage equality, civic causes)
- •Personal note: they were recently on a call with Reiner and his wife about civic action
OpenAI exits ‘Code Red’: competition fears, employee equity changes, and a ‘Netscape’ analogy
They discuss Sam Altman’s ‘Code Red’ posture and the claim that Google’s Gemini releases were less damaging than feared. Scott argues OpenAI is showing signs of panic and questions whether its momentum is defensible long-term.
- •Altman signals OpenAI is leaving ‘Code Red’ after competitive pressure
- •OpenAI changes equity vesting policy (removing a six-month requirement)
- •Scott: OpenAI looks more like Netscape—fast growth but vulnerable to platform power
- •Debate over product usage vs. distribution advantages (Google’s ability to bundle Gemini)
Why ‘atoms beat bits’: SpaceX vs. OpenAI valuations and defensibility
Scott compares SpaceX and OpenAI valuations, arguing physical infrastructure businesses can be harder to disrupt than purely digital ones. They frame this as a ‘moat’ discussion: scaling bits is fast, but competitive displacement can be even faster.
- •SpaceX rumored IPO talk used to compare valuation logic with OpenAI
- •Similar revenue levels but different perceived durability and competitive threats
- •Scott’s thesis: ‘Atoms are more defensible than bits’ (warehouses, rockets, physical networks)
- •Prediction-style thought experiment: OpenAI more likely than SpaceX to lose massive share quickly
Disney targets AI-generated character knockoffs: YouTube takedowns and the OpenAI partnership strategy
They examine Disney’s cease-and-desist against AI-generated Disney character content on YouTube and connect it to Disney’s deal with OpenAI. Kara argues Disney is choosing a ‘partner one, fight others’ approach to avoid repeating early social-media mistakes.
- •Disney pushes Google/YouTube to remove AI-generated Disney character content
- •Kara: partnering/investing in OpenAI gives Disney leverage, insight, and a stake
- •Scott: Disney can’t build its own LLM; it needs optionality and competitive bidding among AI firms
- •Comparison to early YouTube era: content owners initially fought instead of striking smart deals
Oracle’s ‘code red’: AI CapEx, debt worries, data-center delays, and Ellison’s media ambitions
After the break, they dig into Oracle’s stock drop, heavy AI build-out spending, and reports of delayed data centers tied to an OpenAI compute deal Oracle denies. They also discuss Larry Ellison’s role in backing a media bid and whether boards should demand stronger financing certainty.
- •Oracle shares fall sharply amid rising CapEx and debt tied to AI infrastructure
- •Report of delayed data centers related to a massive OpenAI compute framework; Oracle denies delays
- •Discussion of Ellison-backed media deal financing and lack of personal guarantee
- •Scott’s rule: never sign a personal guarantee; boards still use financing certainty as leverage
Streaming chessboard: Paramount vs. Netflix/HBO, and the idea that Disney could be ‘in play’
Oracle’s situation becomes a springboard into broader media consolidation. Scott argues the winner of the Paramount/HBO-type consolidation battle forces everyone else into defensive moves—and floats the provocative possibility that Apple could eventually buy Disney.
- •Whoever wins major media consolidation reshapes the rest of streaming’s power balance
- •Scott speculates Disney could be put in play, with Apple as a potential buyer
- •They highlight Disney’s stagnant 10-year stock performance despite unmatched IP and parks moats
- •Regulatory/antitrust hurdles acknowledged, but they argue ‘too big to buy’ is changing
Trump’s AI executive order to override state laws: ‘patchwork’ as pretext for no regulation
Kara calls Trump’s AI executive order ‘idiotic,’ explaining it aims to neuter state AI regulation by directing DOJ action and threatening funding. Both hosts argue the real goal is deregulation to benefit major AI and tech interests, and they predict legal challenges.
- •EO directs DOJ to sue states and overturn AI laws framed as limiting U.S. ‘AI dominance’
- •Threat to withhold broadband/other funding; child safety laws temporarily exempted
- •Kara: only Congress can override state laws; EO likely struck down in court
- •Both: ‘unified framework’ rhetoric masks an agenda of zero regulation
Regulation gaps they’re ignoring: synthetic relationships, harms, and likely ‘AI bailout’ dynamics
Scott expands the critique: the administration wants AI to run unfettered, even if it concentrates wealth and power. He predicts government-backed support could effectively bail out the AI build-out and argues policymakers are ignoring key social risks.
- •Scott: selective ‘states’ rights’ stance—federal preemption here, not elsewhere
- •Prediction: government-backed debt could function as a bailout for AI infrastructure arms race
- •Concerns raised about unaddressed AI harms (e.g., synthetic relationships)
- •Kara: states are acting precisely because the federal government won’t
Wins and fails: measles resurgence, TV praise, and a rebuke of abortion-drug ‘both-sides’ journalism
In the closing segment, Kara condemns a growing measles outbreak and vaccine misinformation, then praises standout television episodes (including Apple’s ‘Pluralibus’). Scott’s fail targets a CBS ‘Face the Nation’ question he says laundered anti-abortion talking points by implying mifepristone safety doubts.
- •Kara fail: measles outbreak; anger at anti-vaccine misinformation and RFK Jr.
- •Kara win: strong TV recommendations—especially a bold, dialogue-light ‘Pluralibus’ episode
- •Scott fail: media framing that sows doubt about mifepristone despite extensive safety evidence
- •Both criticize ‘just asking questions’ journalism as enabling political agendas
A personal win about friendship, caregiving, and closing holiday gratitude
Scott’s win is a tribute to a friend who acted as a healthcare advocate for a dying fraternity brother, using it to reflect on what happiness research suggests about meaningful relationships. They end with holiday wishes, show plugs, and appreciation for listeners.
- •Scott honors David Kingsdale for coordinating care and advocacy for friend Brad Luff
- •Reflection: happiness correlates with deep relationships and ‘having people to love’
- •Kara and Scott exchange holiday wishes and acknowledge aging and mortality
- •Outro includes teaser for Kara’s Sam Harris interview and end-of-year programming notes
