The John Johnston Lounge

Is Silicon Valley becoming a threat to democracy? John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a recent conversation between Sam Harris and Kara Swisher, discussing the controversial political pivot of tech billionaires like Elon Musk. Also discussed in this episode:The concept of "Techno-Authoritarianism" and why it matters.Sam Harris's critique of the fa right-wing movement in Big Tech.What the alliance between tech oligarchs and politics means for the future of freedom.Related episodes:Sam Harris: Joe Rogan’s Podcast is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8EElon Musk’s Friend EXPOSES His Lies & Betrayal  https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ykqwuELZi7FwJtLVVf85EReferenced video:Sam Harris on Silicon Valley’s Slide into Techno-Authoritarianism | On With Kara Swisher  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IQCtjoPJWNrYn6U9T82Ol

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the Tesla news that the company has begun removing the in-car safety monitors from its robotaxis in Austin, during a new testing phase. Elon Musk recently said this would happen by the end of the year. Questions remain; are the robotaxis being partially or fully tele-operated, and will Tesla begin to share safety data publicly, to show that Tesla robotaxis are safe enough for public use? Related episodes:Elon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhPTesla Optimus Hilariously Collapses! Is Elon Faking Autonomy? https://open.spotify.com/episode/61FgiacC7B8uOirfrOkBTKTesla Europe Sales Crash Deepens & Bricked Batteries Nightmare https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hLXZlUklCzGGwf19rrcdwDisclaimer: 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 5 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:Elon Musk’s €120M MELTDOWN: Wants EU “Abolished”  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bAlLvop4uEXymfBGrrY3nTesla Optimus Hilariously Collapses! Is Elon Faking Autonomy? https://open.spotify.com/episode/61FgiacC7B8uOirfrOkBTKPalantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale’s Call For “Public Hangings” Sparks Outrage https://open.spotify.com/episode/1d7RUufbl1a9utngPU3XZKElon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhPGamified: Big Tech’s Bet on Gambling & Scams https://open.spotify.com/episode/313XUFxnNRpiWJhAFbasCg  Recent Weekly Lounge: Weekly Lounge: Rogan’s "AI Jesus” Rant, TSLA Overvalued (Burry), Tesla EU Sales Crash https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k6b9wnmgqmCMt6vbqq7APWeekly Lounge: Rogan vs Theo Von, Thiel Dumps NVDA, Musk vs Bezos in Space https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JnYCpEijlloMimu0zPvohDisclaimer: 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) reacts to and expands on a recent voidzilla video on the topic “Big tech is betting on gambling and scams”. We look at some of the companies and venture capital, and people behind the funding and investments of financial gamification in this “real money gaming” category, including a16z and Y Combinator. Related episodes:OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Triggers ‘CODE RED’ as Gemini Gains https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UjHc7btIkoiQJ77Ln5MT2Elon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLElon Claims Money Will Be Irrelevant. Is He Delusional? https://open.spotify.com/episode/22dU3JaBm6mtIVA4CzqoF6

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the Tesla and Waymo news that Elon Musk has claimed that robotaxi rival Waymo “never had a chance” against Tesla, despite Tesla not yet having deployed even one fully autonomous, paid robotaxi ride without an in-car safety monitor, while Waymo is about to pass the twenty million milestone. Elon is now saying the Tesla will deploy fully driverless robotaxis in Austin in about three weeks, without safety monitors. Related episodes:Tesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6V‘Big Short’ Burry Slams Tesla: "Ridiculously Overvalued" https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ifpJOikaer1ipPqyGQ0DJElon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLReferenced articles:Elon Musk delusionally claims Waymo ‘never had a chance’ against Tesla  https://electrek.co/2025/12/10/elon-musk-waymo-never-had-chance-against-tesla/Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims driverless Robotaxis coming to Austin in 3 weeks https://electrek.co/2025/12/09/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-claims-driverless-robotaxis-coming-to-austin-in-3-weeks/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 a controversy surrounding Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale. On Elon Musk’s X platform, the tech billionaire Lonsdale sparked outrage by explicitly calling for the return of "public hangings" in the United States. He talks about his desire for this kind of radical “masculine leadership” in relation to dealing with criminals.Disclaimer: This video is for educational and journalistic purposes only. It analyzes public comments made by a public figure. Related episodes:Joe Rogan GLAZES Peter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTYThiel Calls POPE ‘The Antichrist’: JD Vance’s Palantir Problem https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RnSiaoFFsXUU52TDZSeLxPeter Thiel: Antichrist Greta & US Headed for Civil War? https://open.spotify.com/episode/587zdde7DrHCMysy8T5bTgReferenced article:Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings | Gil Duran https://www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale-calls-for-public-hangings/

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how and why a new video going viral, from a Tesla “Autonomy Visualized” event, shows the Tesla Optimus humanoid robot taking a nasty collapse backwards. The demo strongly suggests the Optimus robot was mimicking a remote operator suddenly removing a VR headset, rather than the robot being autonomous. Related episodes:Elon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLTesla Europe Sales Crash Deepens & Bricked Batteries Nightmare https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hLXZlUklCzGGwf19rrcdwTesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6VDisclaimer: 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 to the news that EU regulators have hit Elon Musk’s X platform with a 120 million euro fine for breaching its social media law. Elon has retaliated by saying on X that the EU should be ‘abolished”.Related episodes:Tesla Europe Sales Crash Deepens & Bricked Batteries Nightmare https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hLXZlUklCzGGwf19rrcdwTech Fascism: Borsook's Early Prediction Was Correct https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LbNyXqq7em3G2xCUp1E78Elon to Joe Rogan: Capitalist AI Will Bring Socialist Utopia https://open.spotify.com/episode/2N4kl85FtFISzul06CmGgy

Join John Johnston (JJ) for the Weekly Lounge, a compilation of the week's 5 episodes of The John Johnston Lounge. These are the individual episode titles:Elon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhL‘Big Short’ Michael Burry Slams Tesla Stock: "Ridiculously Overvalued" https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ifpJOikaer1ipPqyGQ0DJTesla Europe Sales Crash Deepens & Bricked Batteries Nightmare https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hLXZlUklCzGGwf19rrcdwOpenAI CEO Sam Altman Triggers ‘CODE RED’ as Google’s Gemini Gains | Prof G Pod Reaction  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UjHc7btIkoiQJ77Ln5MT2Joe Rogan’s “Jesus as AI” Rant: Has He Lost It? (American Alchemy Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wLVQjgnEKEsSSYdLvyu31Last Week’s Weekly Lounge: Weekly Lounge: Rogan vs Theo Von, Thiel Dumps NVDA, Musk vs Bezos in Space https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JnYCpEijlloMimu0zPvohDisclaimer: 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) reacts to Joe Rogan speaking on the American Alchemy podcast with Jesse Michels. Rogan thinks that it’s not far-fetched to think that Jesus could return as AI. JJ asks, where could Joe Rogan have got this “God in a box” idea from? Could it be from the likes of tech billionaire Peter Thiel, who has talked about similar concepts, mingling Christianity and AI.Related episodes:Thiel Calls POPE ‘The Antichrist’: JD Vance’s Palantir Problem https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RnSiaoFFsXUU52TDZSeLxcPeter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTYElon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLReferenced video:Joe Rogan: The Truth About Aliens (He Finally Says It) | Jesse Michels - American Alchemy https://open.spotify.com/episode/7dGhB26Xrcwgi0ekuVOZRf

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has apparently declared a “code red”, because Google’s Gemini AI has gained a lot of ground on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and has gained around 200 million new users in just three months. JJ also reacts to a segment of The Prof G Pod, in which co-host Ed Elson discusses this latest AI development with Alex Kantrowitz. Related episodes:Is It Over? Google Gemini Crushes ChatGPT | All-In Podcast Reaction https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tx19gCwXN709i9vHybnBtAI Bubble Watch: Elon Ally Thiel Cuts TSLA Stock, Dumps NVDA https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ltDJvr3dmqc09V9Xw5E2nAI Bubble Watch: Sam Altman Admits Bubble, Bezos Welcomes It https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RIBSUAWMLusjwJxpZyJQCAI Bubble: Sam Altman Crashes Out, ‘Big Short’ Burry Bets on Bust https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O91IczRNH180RpGAetiZlReferenced video:OpenAI Declares Code Red as Google’s Gemini Gains Ground | Prof G Markets https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jgCD6KQbrfiJIRjEfAu6qDisclaimer: 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 Tesla news that European registrations for November, a proxy for sales, have continued to plummet, except for some minor bright spots, and now Elon Musk’s Tesla is facing a class action lawsuit over a Powerwall recall, that has left people with bricked Powerwall batteries for months.Related episodes:‘Big Short’ Burry Slams Tesla: "Ridiculously Overvalued" https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ifpJOikaer1ipPqyGQ0DJElon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLTesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6VReferenced video:Tesla Powerwalls Remotely Disabled — Thousands Left With Dead Batteries | Ben Alexxander  https://youtu.be/b5cSicjTODQDisclaimer: 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 famous investor Michael Burry just released a brutal critique of Elon Musk’s Tesla on his new ‘Casandra Unchained’ blog. This episode is why the ‘Big Short’ investing legend think TSLA stock is “ridiculously overvalued”. Related episodes:AI Bubble: Sam Altman Crashes Out, ‘Big Short’ Burry Bets on Bust https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O91IczRNH180RpGAetiZlElon Musk’s WILDEST Tesla Optimus Robot Claims https://open.spotify.com/episode/4QbgkOLIopzzgyHV89DnhLTesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6VDisclaimer: 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 a list of many of Elon Musk’s claims about the future of Tesla’s Optimus robots, including no less than ushering in an unprecedented ear of world peace and prosperity for all. Should we believe Elon’s claims, or is it really “extreme optimism” and extreme “corporate puffery”. Related episodes:Tesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6VElon’s DOGE Collapses & Criminal Charges Loom https://open.spotify.com/episode/3husqbwJVGAqerH4IxIiKDElon to Joe Rogan: Capitalist AI Will Bring Socialist Utopia https://open.spotify.com/episode/2N4kl85FtFISzul06CmGgyElon MUSK’S xAI Data Center POISONING Memphis!  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hAAzu6bIiBQpkSSmkZPhsDisclaimer: 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.

This is a compilation of this past week’s five The John Johnston Lounge episodes, in order.Individual episodes:Is It Over? Google Gemini Crushes ChatGPT | All-In Pod Reaction https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tx19gCwXN709i9vHybnBtIT’S OVER: Elon’s DOGE Collapses & Criminal Charges Loom https://open.spotify.com/episode/3husqbwJVGAqerH4IxIiKDThiel Calls POPE ‘The Antichrist’: JD Vance’s Palantir Problem https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RnSiaoFFsXUU52TDZSeLxSam Harris: Joe Rogan is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8ETesla's Rough Month: Sales Drops, Robotaxi Cuts, Model Y Defects https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KieNeplYRuu6mAlIMRS6V

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the latest Tesla and Elon Musk news, including that Tesla’s European sales tumbled nearly 50% in October, Telsa sales have so far been pitiful in India, Elon Musk has now slashed Tesla’s Robtaxi fleet goal in Austin, Tesla’s Model Y has been labeled the most defective car this year in Germany. Finally we listen to what could be the best comedy impression of Elon so far.Related episodes:Elon Musk Unveiled: EXPLOSIVE Tesla Documentary Debut  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3e7wyzJSPDrOQQN2QTHm15Elon's BS to Joe Rogan: Vaporware Roadster & Cybertruck Fail https://open.spotify.com/episode/6iPjeAwhEMBcsZxj1vYrW6Elon Musk MOCKED for CRINGE AI Girlfriend ‘Always Love You’ Post https://open.spotify.com/episode/4C4Kp7gOiQwnW1YvViRQNcDisclaimer: 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) reacts to a recent TRIGGERnometry podcast, in which Sam Harris explains whey he thinks podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan now detracts from the national political conversation, rather than being a positive influence on it. Related episodes:Joe Rogan GLAZES Peter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTYBrainiac Joe Rogan Terrified of Debating Gavin Newsom https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Bn04AMvEm5Q4NUJpAJ3XIJoe Rogan Fires Back at Marc Maron’s Rogansphere Criticism https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zSRbq8faojWfEfRyWMbN3Referenced videos:Sam Harris Returns to TRIGGERnometry  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ZekXDDbZSvNk3FepNwDGJ

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance’s top political donor, has provocatively suggested that Pope Leo XIV could be the Antichrist. In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he has urged Vance to ignore the Pope on moral questions, and embrace unfettered tech and AI progress, implying its a kind of ultimate spiritual endeavour. Related episodes:Joe Rogan GLAZES Peter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTYAI Bubble Watch: Elon Ally Thiel Cuts TSLA Stock, Dumps NVDA https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ltDJvr3dmqc09V9Xw5E2nTech Fascism: Borsook's Early Prediction Was Correct https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LbNyXqq7em3G2xCUp1E78Tim Dillon ROASTS Peter Thiel’s Antichrist Obsession https://open.spotify.com/episode/68yc1auGogphxe4fqoNuFe

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seems to be no more, with officials saying it has been wrapped up eight months early. Futhermore, some DOGE staffers are fearing future criminal charges for what they did under Elon Musk’s direction. Related episodes:DOGE Whistleblower: Govt Fraud ‘RELATIVELY NONEXISTENT’ https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mdqKpRiIGET9jWiXGJGQjElon Musk & Trump Break Up After DOGE Disaster https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lRnIWCIcf5pNGnnY7fJQIElon BROKEN After Tesla & DOGE Disasters https://open.spotify.com/episode/61tH2hZm1AgKAeQG7LCAVhReferenced video:‘IT’S OVER’: DOGE COLLAPSES As Elon ABANDONS SHIP & Criminal Charges Loom! | The Kyle Kulinski Show  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ncwvBOdZ69l51WnnuOqV0

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Goggle’s Gemini 3 AI is outperforming OpenAI’s ChapGPT, and also gaining market share month by month. JJ reacts to a clip from a recent All-In Podcast, in which they discuss the AI race between the AI company players, and their current AI chatbot models. Related episodes:AI Bubble Watch: Elon Ally Thiel Cuts TSLA Stock, Dumps NVDA https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ltDJvr3dmqc09V9Xw5E2nAI Bubble Watch: Sam Altman Admits Bubble, Bezos Welcomes It https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RIBSUAWMLusjwJxpZyJQCAI Bubble: Sam Altman Crashes Out, ‘Big Short’ Burry Bets on Bust https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O91IczRNH180RpGAetiZlReferenced video:Epstein Files Fallout, Nvidia Risks, Burry's Bad Bet, Google's Breakthrough, Tether's Boom | All-In Podcast https://youtu.be/4tgV87SM-r0Disclaimer: 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.