Elon at Lex

I've always enjoyed the long-form interviews of Elon Musk by Lex Fridman (#1, #2, #3). This was his fourth time on the show and I was pleasantly surprised that I still do.

After what has happened with Twitter/X, I expected to see a changed Elon. I thought power might have corrupted him, leading him to become more political. But that was not what I saw. Elon was still as smart and funny as usual. He came across as honest and kind at heart, even showing a little more vulnerability than usual. He also clarified his political stance directly. I don’t share his leadership for X, but I see how it is rooted in his commitment to free speech.

My highlights were his advice to Israel, his insane gaming skills, SpaceX’s hilarious maritime requirements concerning sharks, whales, and seals, the bias in negative news, and his emphasis (again) that people would not want to trade places with him. (All links with timestamps).

Lex is an extremely kind and calm host. I find he gives room for guests to show their personal side. It’s not about journalism or debate, but rather a conversation between friends that you can listen in on. If you want to get a feel for Elon Musk’s personality, listen to this.