Mitch McConnell Finally Appeared in a Photo. Kara and Scott Aren’t Buying It | Pivot

Kara and Scott discuss Lindsey Graham's legacy, the conspiracy theories around Mitch McConnell's new photo, and whether the Democrats can still pull off a victory in Maine. Then, Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft, marking the company's latest setback. Plus, Kara sits down with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to unpack his multistate lawsuit challenging the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger. 00:00 Intro 05:11 Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 11:18 Mitch McConnell Conspiracy Theories 16:37 Graham Platner Withdraws Candidacy 25:40 Apple Sues OpenAI 35:55 California AG on Paramount-WBD Lawsuit 57:14 Wins and Fails #pivot #podcast #karaswisher #scottgalloway #worldcup #lindsaygraham #mitchmcconnell #grahamplatner #apple #openai #paramount #warnerbros #discovery Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Todd Wiseman Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa Subscribe to Pivot on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1073226719 Subscribe to Pivot on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MU3RFGELZxPT9XHVwTNPR Follow us on Instagram and Threads at: https://www.instagram.com/pivotpodcastofficial/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PIVOTPODCAST Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com

Scott GallowayhostKara SwisherhostRob Bontaguest

Jul 14, 20261h 10mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: July 14, 2026
Duration: 1h 10m
Channel: Pivot
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Kara and Scott discuss Lindsey Graham's legacy, the conspiracy theories around Mitch McConnell's new photo, and whether the Democrats can still pull off a victory in Maine. Then, Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft, marking the company's latest setback. Plus, Kara sits down with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to unpack his multistate lawsuit challenging the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger. 00:00 Intro 05:11 Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 11:18 Mitch McConnell Conspiracy Theories 16:37 Graham Platner Withdraws Candidacy 25:40 Apple Sues OpenAI 35:55 California AG on Paramount-WBD Lawsuit 57:14 Wins and Fails #pivot #podcast #karaswisher #scottgalloway #worldcup #lindsaygraham #mitchmcconnell #grahamplatner #apple #openai #paramount #warnerbros #discovery Producers: Lara Naaman Zoë Marcus Taylor Griffin Todd Wiseman Vox Media's Executive Producer of Podcasts: Nishat Kurwa Subscribe to Pivot on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1073226719 Subscribe to Pivot on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MU3RFGELZxPT9XHVwTNPR Follow us on Instagram and Threads at: https://www.instagram.com/pivotpodcastofficial/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@PIVOTPODCAST Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email pivot@voxmedia.com

SPEAKERS

Scott Galloway
host
Professor of marketing at NYU Stern and co-host of Pivot, focused on tech/business analysis.
Kara Swisher
host
Journalist and co-host of Pivot, known for interviewing leaders in tech, media, and politics.
Rob Bonta
guest
California Attorney General, interviewed about an antitrust lawsuit and competition policy.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Pivot, featuring Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher, Mitch McConnell Finally Appeared in a Photo. Kara and Scott Aren’t Buying It | Pivot explores political succession failures, AI industry turmoil, and Paramount merger backlash collide Lindsey Graham’s sudden death and Mitch McConnell’s disputed “proof-of-life” photo become a springboard for arguing the U.S. political system is failing at succession planning and over-rewarding incumbency.

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