The John Johnston Lounge

John Johnston (JJ) provides an update of Tesla’s autonomous or Unsupervised Robotaxi roll-out, a few weeks after the first one was spotted in Austin Texas. So far, it seems to be progressing slowly. A lot of Tesla stock market cap is riding on the success of Robotaxis, and then Tesla’s Optimus Robot later. How long will the stock market wait to see significant progress in Tesla’s autonomy program, after over 10 years of Elon’s predictions and claims?Related episodes:Tesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUTesla Sales in China COLLAPSE 45% Year-Over-Year! https://open.spotify.com/episode/4yau7id31P1gOQa6ue2mUoTesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNReferenced videos:Unsupervised Robotaxi Enters Active Construction Zone! | Matthew Skrzypczak https://youtu.be/9lHPYoiRadITesla Robotaxi Demand Is Booming (Reporting from Austin, Texas) | HyerChange https://youtu.be/EX-wjQPY0H4Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's daily episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links:Elon Musk Finally Admits Massive Delay to SpaceX Mars Missions https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zM3AQHttOqxTApCdTnFROElon Musk’s ‘Self-Growing Moon City’: Anyone Still Believe Him? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GqExGR4JY2mVIhfrNN0mzDoes The Kimbal Musk Epstein Link Threaten Tesla? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wLvj433UwCrw6PuM4LRK8Why Elon Musk’s Tesla & xAI Exec Staff Exit in Droves https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gH4c1wAKglXqilUROpR1ITesla Sales in China COLLAPSE 45% Year-Over-Year! https://open.spotify.com/episode/4yau7id31P1gOQa6ue2mUoDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Tesla sales in China have crashed 45% year-over-year in January, to the lowest in three years. In further bad news for Tesla sales, Elon Musk, and US EV sales in general, the Trump administration has repealed the Obama era endangerment finding: the ruling that served as the basis for limits on vehicle tailpipe emissions and power plant rules. Related episodes:Tesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNElon Musk’s ‘Self-Growing Moon City’: Anyone Still Believe Him? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GqExGR4JY2mVIhfrNN0mzTick-Tock: Elon Musk Inflicts MORE Tesla Brand Damage https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJZRk6LIxJxOmrL6jQlk8Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk’s xAI, now owned by SpaceX, has lost a second cofounder in 2 days, as well as other staff. Tesla has also lost a second head of North American sales in less than a year. We look at why staff at Elon’s companies seem to be leaving in droves. Related episodes:Elon Musk’s ‘Self-Growing Moon City’: Anyone Still Believe Him? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GqExGR4JY2mVIhfrNN0mzTesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNSpaceX Bailed Out xAI: Elon's AI Bubble Exit Strategy https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tTAP6maxDY7qyRzSX8V0nReferenced video:The 1% Rule: Why Elon Musk Never Finishes Anything | Thunderf00t https://youtu.be/H-FkE7SiafwDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Elon Musk’s brother, and fellow Tesla Board of Directors member, Kimbal Musk is attempting to counter a Guardian article that asserts that emails from The Epstein Files show that Jeffrey Epstein engineered an intimate relationship for Kimbal, and that Kimbal and the woman were involved for about six months between 2012 and 2013. Could Kimbal Musk be kicked off the Tesla Board because of this?Related episodes:Tick-Tock: Elon Musk Inflicts MORE Tesla Brand Damage https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJZRk6LIxJxOmrL6jQlk8Elon Musk Sought Epstein Island’s “Wildest Party” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C4q3zIgSCDCTwAMl1QmlCElon Musk EVISCERATED by Jennifer Welch After Bigoted Attack https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aEqjYprwxfGEgadIq2mDGReferenced article:Epstein engineered intimate relationship for Tesla’s Kimbal Musk, emails show https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/10/jeffrey-epstein-tesla-kimbal-musk Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news and reactions about Elon Musk saying SpaceX will attempt to build a “self-growing” city on the Moon within the next 10 years, pivoting away from getting to Mars. Given all Elon’s false “predictions” over the years, it seems fewer people are believing Elon these days, apart from his most ardent fans. We look at some of the reactions to the news, from Elon’s own social media platform. Related episodes:Elon Musk Finally Admits Massive Delay to SpaceX Mars Missions https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zM3AQHttOqxTApCdTnFROTick-Tock: Elon Musk Inflicts MORE Tesla Brand Damage https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJZRk6LIxJxOmrL6jQlk8Tesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNSpaceX Bailed Out xAI: Elon's AI Bubble Exit Strategy https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tTAP6maxDY7qyRzSX8V0nDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the Elon Musk and SpaceX news that Elon has announced SpaceX is delaying Mars missions plans by years, to shift focus to Moon missions, and “building a self-growing city on the Moon”. Elon’s most ardent supporters and Tesla influencers are saying it makes a lot of sense, and critics are pointing out that delaying going to Mars is yet another one of Elon’s false “predictions” and claims. For many years, Mars has been Elon’s main stated focuses, and now he’s pivoting. Related episodes:Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj2SpaceX Bailed Out xAI: Elon's AI Bubble Exit Strategy https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tTAP6maxDY7qyRzSX8V0nTesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links:Elon Musk Sought Epstein Island’s “Wildest Party” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C4q3zIgSCDCTwAMl1QmlCSpaceX Bailed Out xAI: Elon's AI Bubble Exit Strategy https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tTAP6maxDY7qyRzSX8V0nWhy Cyber-Crime Unit Just Raided X Office (Elon Musk Summoned) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tqN2J8RGHrklYGVaCCo4XTesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNTick-Tock: Elon Musk Inflicts MORE Tesla Brand Damage https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YJZRk6LIxJxOmrL6jQlk8Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how CEO Elon Musk is continuing to inflict more brand damage on Tesla, and SpaceX, as more comes to light about his questionable past dealings, and as he continues to post divisive opinions on his social media platform X daily. The Elon illustration in the thumbnail is by Rob Israel https://www.instagram.com/robisraelartworkRelated episodes:Tesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUElon Musk Sought Epstein Island’s “Wildest Party” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C4q3zIgSCDCTwAMl1QmlCTesla UK Sales Plummet Year-Over-Year!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vuIsulcmlf03k4LJSIoZNDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Tesla sales in the UK have plunged in January, which makes for a dismal year-over-year number, as rival BYD pulls well ahead. There is increasing intense electric vehicle completion, but it also could have a lot to do with the public’s view of Tesla CEO Elon Musk.Tesla Earnings: Falling Revenue, ’Invests’ in Elon Musk's xAI Money Furnace https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pzkykM4LR1b2ojCs9wDpDElon Musk Sought Epstein Island’s “Wildest Party” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C4q3zIgSCDCTwAMl1QmlCWhy Cyber-Crime Unit Just Raided X Office (Elon Musk Summoned) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4tqN2J8RGHrklYGVaCCo4XSpaceX Bailed Out xAI: Elon's AI Bubble Exit Strategy https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tTAP6maxDY7qyRzSX8V0nDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that the X offices in Paris have been raided by the prosecutor’s cyber-crime unit, as part of an investigation into suspected offences. Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to hearings. The UK has also announced at probe into Elon Musk’s Grok AI, over its potentially harmful image and video content creation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also announced proposed changes in the law to hold executives of online platforms accountable. Elon Musk has asserted that “This is a political attack” against him.Related episodes:Elon Musk Sought Epstein Island’s “Wildest Party” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2C4q3zIgSCDCTwAMl1QmlCElon Musk's Grok AI Scandal: Ashley St Clair Speaks Out (Taylor Lorenz Reaction)  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jrzyAD72FNTfUGvIkxaUkTesla Too? Elon Musk’s SpaceX “in Talks” to Merge with xAI  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Tm48PzDKixyoTUUn71kznDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk has merged SpaceX with xAI, which includes social media platform X within it. Is this mega-deal a bailout of xAI, and what does it mean for Tesla and Tesla shareholders? After the acquisition, xAI plans to launch a massive AI satellite constellation, with as many as one million satellites, aiming to be an AI data center in space. Is this merger just an exit strategy for xAI investors ahead of the planned SpaceX IPO, with a "datacenters in space" stock pumping narrative, or something more?Related episodes:Tesla Too? Elon Musk’s SpaceX “in Talks” to Merge with xAI  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Tm48PzDKixyoTUUn71kznTesla Earnings: Falling Revenue, ’Invests’ in Elon Musk's xAI Money Furnace https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pzkykM4LR1b2ojCs9wDpDTesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk is trying to defend and deflect from newly released emails within the Epstein Files, which appear to show that Elon was actively wanting to visit Epstein’s island, and asking which day there would be the “Wildest Party”.  Previously, Elon has said that he refused Epstein’s invitations, but the emails seem to clearly contradict that. JJ also looks at some reactions to the news, from some of Elons fans and Tesla influencers, and also some of Elon’s critics. Related episodes:Elon Musk EVISCERATED by Jennifer Welch After Bigoted Attack https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aEqjYprwxfGEgadIq2mDGElon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj2Did Elon Lie About Unsupervised Robotaxis Starting in Austin? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mmzCXDv7S7KfRm9GrqqAcDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links:Did Elon Lie About Unsupervised Robotaxis Starting in Austin? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mmzCXDv7S7KfRm9GrqqAcAI Bubble: Is OpenAI Going Broke? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xPM7mmWrmDHcRmdytpEoqTesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUTesla Earnings: Falling Revenue, ’Invests’ in Elon Musk's xAI Money Furnace https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pzkykM4LR1b2ojCs9wDpDTesla Too? Elon Musk’s SpaceX “in Talks” to Merge with xAI  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Tm48PzDKixyoTUUn71kznDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX is in merger talks with his artificial intelligence company xAI, and Elon is also considering merging Tesla with SpaceX, ahead of a planned IPO of SpaceX. This news comes on the heels of the latest Tesla Earnings, in which it was revealed that 2025 saw a profit fall of 46%, and Tesla is ditching its Tesla Model S and Model X lines, supposedly to make way for the mass-production of Optimus humanoid robots instead. Elon Musk is also touting the start of unsupervised Tesla robotaxis in Austin, but only a very few have been offering unsupervised rides so far.Related episodes:Tesla Earnings: Falling Revenue, ’Invests’ in Elon Musk's xAI Money Furnace https://open.spotify.com/episode/1pzkykM4LR1b2ojCs9wDpDTesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUAI Bubble: Is OpenAI Going Broke? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xPM7mmWrmDHcRmdytpEoqDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the latest news about the Tesla Q4 and Full Year Earnings Update, including that Tesla is investing $2 Billion in Elon Musk’s OpenAI competitor xAI. Tesla is also discontinuing its Model X and Model X vehicles lines as it pivots to robotics and autonomous robotaxis. However, Tesla’s “unsupervised” robotaxis seem to have vanished from Austin streets, after the pre-earnings announcement of the launch of them, despite Elon saying on the earnings call that they are operating. Related episodes:Tesla: “The Biggest Bubble Possibly in Stock Market History”? https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tTiyJDPHzjaOO04nRp1fUAI Bubble: Is OpenAI Going Broke? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xPM7mmWrmDHcRmdytpEoqDid Elon Lie About Unsupervised Robotaxis Starting in Austin? https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mmzCXDv7S7KfRm9GrqqAcDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down why a veteran fund manager is saying that Tesla is the biggest single stock bubble of all time. Another high profile investor involved in “The Big Short” is saying that Tesla is the ”poster child” for overvalued stocks. At the same time, Tesla car sales have been declining for about two years, as EV competition has become increasingly intense, and Elon Must has continued his divisive political rhetoric. Has this been turning off a lot potential Tesla product and services buyers, and damaging the Tesla brand?Related episodes:Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://youtu.be/WRvbfSQFwloDid Elon Lie About Unsupervised Robotaxis Starting in Austin? https://youtu.be/MohHSi4GcXQTesla Optimus in Shambles as Boston Dynamics Hires Fleeing Lead https://youtu.be/G85L4q2ykYI"Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://youtu.be/6Wusnp9Si3MDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Sam Altman’s OpenAI is burning billions per month, and has around $1.4 trillion in commitments, but with only 5% of users actually paying. Is the “last resort” business model of inserting advertising becoming the only way it can survive, and would that be enough? Is this a sign that large cracks in AI company finances are appearing, and also in the AI technology itself? Is the AI bubble headed for a bust?Related episodes:Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj22 Risks To Kill The AI Boom: ‘Big Short’ Legend Steve Eisman https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WSx1Lv0xqpr0nw9ZPXkBwWhy All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98Referenced video:OpenAI is Broke… and so is everyone else | Vanessa Wingårdh https://youtu.be/Y3N9qlPZBc0Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the latest Tesla and Elon Musk news, including that Tesla may have moved the “safety monitor” to a chase car for it’s first “unsupervised” robotaxis in Austin, as Elon Musk touts the new development. However, a Tesla influencer spent most of the weekend trying to find one of the new unsupervised Tesla robotaxis and couldn’t find one in operation. Tesla has also cut standard Autopilot, and is now offering Autosteer as part of a paid subscription, while some other automakers offer it as standard. Related episodes:Waymo Founder: Tesla’s FSD Wouldn’t Pass A DMV Vision Test  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6AAWyi4uKaTN4JzkngdWzHTesla Optimus in Shambles as Boston Dynamics Hires Fleeing Lead https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JPjILEYPqo5hz3odX7Gc3"Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1CONCERNING: Tesla 2-Yr Decline Meets Elon’s Huge xAI Cash Burn https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BVkUPZ3JMDX2SEn9fPlZdDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. Below are the individual episode titles and links, and recent Weekly Lounge links too, if you want to catch up on them:Tesla Optimus in Shambles as Boston Dynamics Hires Fleeing Lead https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JPjILEYPqo5hz3odX7Gc3The Tech Billionaires’ Plan To Replace You With AI https://open.spotify.com/episode/1STXmjWNZeeaSZG2NYBMUEWaymo Founder: Tesla’s FSD Wouldn’t Pass A DMV Vision Test  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6AAWyi4uKaTN4JzkngdWzHBUSTED: Trump Admin Concedes Elon's DOGE May Have Stolen Data https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CZT7ozKnOzOQ4zfvWsSGOElon Musk EVISCERATED by Jennifer Welch After Bigoted AttackDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.