The John Johnston Lounge

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the Tesla and Elon Musk news that Waymo founder John Krafcik is saying the Tesla’s Full Self Driving Supervised (FSD) has a “bad case of myopia”, and he doesn’t think the current hardware will get Tesla to “super-human driving” capabilities. In addition, JJ provides an update on Tesla’s dismal Cybertruck sales numbers, Tesla’s mission change to “Amazing Abundance” from “Sustainable Abundance. Finally, JJ covers the ongoing spat between Elon Musk and the Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, with Elon threatening to buy the European company and fire the CEO. Related episodes: Tesla 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/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 CONCERNING: Tesla 2-Yr Decline Meets Elon’s Huge xAI Cash Burn https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BVkUPZ3JMDX2SEn9fPlZd 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) reacts to some of a recent video by well known tech journalist Taylor Lorenz, in which she details how tech billionaires, such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Marc Andreessen and others, are planning for an AI future in which humans don’t exist. The way that they see it, and desire it,, their post-human tech future will be dominated by artificial general intelligence (AGI), or even artificial super intelligence. They plan to outlive a probable collapse in society by building luxury bunkers, living in space, and merging with AI technology. Related episodes: Gilded Rage: Elon Musk & Tech Billionaires Radicalized (ft. Breaking Points) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jDaBVrOVjT9JbjtU3v1q4 Elon Musk's Grok AI Scandal: Ashley St Clair Speaks Out (Taylor Lorenz Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jrzyAD72FNTfUGvIkxaUk Tesla Optimus in Shambles as Boston Dynamics Hires Fleeing Lead https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JPjILEYPqo5hz3odX7Gc3 Referenced video: The Real Reason Billionaires Are Obsessed With AI | Taylor Lorenz’s Power User https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MPzH7R1UHyeRRcfbrbTN7

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the latest Elon Musk and Tesla news, including that Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics has hired Tesl’a former head of Optimus, after he said he was leaving Tesla to spend more time with family. Elon has also said the Tesla is “almost done” with its A15 chip design, six months after saying it was already finished. Tesla is also ending its direct sales of FSD software, amid speculation it could be to avoid California’s false advertising ban for Tesla. Tesla’s Germany sales are also down a whopping 72% from their peak. Could this partly due to Elon’s constant controversial posting on his own platform X? Join JJ for all this news and more. Related episodes: "Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 CONCERNING: Tesla 2-Yr Decline Meets Elon’s Huge xAI Cash Burn https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BVkUPZ3JMDX2SEn9fPlZd Elon Musk's Grok AI Scandal: Ashley St Clair Speaks Out (Taylor Lorenz Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jrzyAD72FNTfUGvIkxaUk 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.

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. Recent Weekly Lounge episodes: Slow Joe Rogan is Waking Up to Harsh Reality https://open.spotify.com/episode/0H7F4FIPxQCqBzKlBm9Iba Elon Musk's Grok AI Scandal: Ashley St Clair Speaks Out (Taylor Lorenz Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jrzyAD72FNTfUGvIkxaUk Kyle Kulinski Just Went Nuclear on Elon Musk https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iwjP3nYH9rG2k8P0xqPU0 CONCERNING: Tesla 2-Yr Decline Meets Elon’s Huge xAI Cash Burn https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BVkUPZ3JMDX2SEn9fPlZd "Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 Unholy Alliance: Tech Bro Billionaires & Theocracy Bros https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NASRsPTmrH1bN344VT3KR Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj2

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to what popular podcaster Joe Rogan has been saying about what’s been happening recently in Minneapolis with the ICE presence and actions in the community. Joe does not like what he’s seeing at all, but is still sitting on the fence on some issues. Is Joe Rogan starting to pull back from his MAGA support? Related episodes: Joe Rogan’s Embarrassing Tech Billionaire Worship Hits New Low https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ggR6cTbiPxQwkB6DC9mpN Sam Harris: Joe Rogan’s Podcast is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8E Joe Rogan’s “Jesus as AI” Rant: Has He Lost It? (American Alchemy Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wLVQjgnEKEsSSYdLvyu31

ohn Johnston (JJ) reacts to part of a recent interview tech journalist Taylor Lorenz had with Ashley St Clair, about Ashley’s horrific experiences with Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok, specifically it’s new image-generating abilities and the nonconsensual content it has been generating to do with her and many others. Ashley has been increasingly outspoken in her criticism of Elon Musk’s X platform’s handling of Grok’s image generation. Related episodes: Kyle Kulinski Just Went Nuclear on Elon Musk https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iwjP3nYH9rG2k8P0xqPU0 "Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 Gilded Rage: Elon Musk & Tech Billionaires Radicalized (ft. Breaking Points) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jDaBVrOVjT9JbjtU3v1q4 Referenced video: Ashley St Clair’s Political Awakening: Trans Rights, AI, and Elon Musk | Taylor Lorenz’s Power User https://open.spotify.com/episode/71UDJcCyoZ7iFtGaSI37sD

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to Kyle Kulinski’s commentary and political analysis of Elon Musk’s current rhetoric on the social media platform Elon owns: X. Kyle shows how Elon has been becoming more and more obviously far-right in his political rhetoric. Related episodes: "Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 CONCERNING: Tesla 2-Yr Decline Meets Elon’s Huge xAI Cash Burn https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BVkUPZ3JMDX2SEn9fPlZd Unholy Alliance: Tech Bro Billionaires & Theocracy Bros https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NASRsPTmrH1bN344VT3KR

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the latest Elon Musk, Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX news, including that Tesla sales in Europe are continuing to fall. Does this mean Tesla Gigafactory Berlin’s days are numbered? Elon’s xAI company is burning staggering amounts of money by the month, while it talks about building AI for Tesla’s Optimus; “safe unsupervised” FSD still looks at least 6 months away, and more news. Related episodes: "Elongelical" Tesla Influencers Have Lost Their Minds (It's getting weird) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sENslM2MXn6pjJXy3vbg1 Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj2 Tesla’s Robotaxi Service in Austin Still Barely Exists https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wxUplIujYdEtz6BNi31Jo 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 what one of Elon Musk’s most loyal “Elongelical” Tesla influencers is saying about one of Elon’s wildest predictions for the future of technology and society. We also look at some of Elon’s predictions over the past year that didn’t come true, and one that did. Related episodes: Elon Musk’s Tesla Predictions Fall Way Short Again https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GLwKH4JdiP13N9A1v7oj2 2 Risks To Kill The AI Boom: ‘Big Short’ Legend Steve Eisman https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WSx1Lv0xqpr0nw9ZPXkBw Tesla’s Robotaxi Service in Austin Still Barely Exists https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wxUplIujYdEtz6BNi31Jo Referenced video: I Just Had An Argument with Elon Musk on X | Farzad https://youtu.be/_6Dpl0IMrS8 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 growing alliance between some tech billionaires and “theocracy bros”, referencing their desire for network states or freedom cities, and the anti-democratic influence of Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Curtis Yarvin and others on US government figures such as JD Vance and Trump himself. Related episodes: Peter Thiel Calls Pope ‘The Antichrist’: JD Vance’s Palantir Problem https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RnSiaoFFsXUU52TDZSeLx Tim Dillon ROASTS Peter Thiel’s Antichrist Obsession https://open.spotify.com/episode/68yc1auGogphxe4fqoNuFe Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale’s Call For “Public Hangings” Sparks Outrage https://open.spotify.com/episode/1d7RUufbl1a9utngPU3XZK Referenced: Network State Meets The Seven Mountains Mandate: JD Vance, Charlie Kirk, The Rise of The Theo Bros | The Nerd Reich https://open.spotify.com/episode/53tOXWuhxnQbDLL6dbdN8l Curtis Yarvin on Trump, 'no kings' and the case for a US monarchy https://youtu.be/_WjE5P2n_ck

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down Elon Musk’s top predictions for Tesla for 2025 that have not come true. We also look at other related Tesla and Elon news, including the new lower sales estimates for the final quarter of the year, and what Elon and some critics are currently saying about Tesla’s outlook. Related episodes: Tesla Optimus Hilariously Collapses! Is Elon Faking Autonomy? https://open.spotify.com/episode/61FgiacC7B8uOirfrOkBTK STOP AI Acceleration? Bernie Sanders vs All-In Podcast Billionaire Besties https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zaDCpkL8mLXbShUaza1iV 2 Risks To Kill The AI Boom: ‘Big Short’ Legend Steve Eisman https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WSx1Lv0xqpr0nw9ZPXkBw 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) reacts to an interview between comedian Tony Hinchcliffe and the All-In Podcast “Besties” at a live event. Hinchcliffe get’s defensive about his involvement with the Rogansphere comedy scent in Austin, after all the recent criticism of it from other comedians and podcasters. Related episodes: Rogansphere Collapsing as Comedians Brutally Roast It https://open.spotify.com/episode/06pMyAqU09Be3EPKCfsP8y Joe Rogan Can’t Rescue His Unfunny Comedy Bros https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vGknsOzTuiL1rFuKK1jpw Joe Rogan & Andrew Schulz Melt Down in Raging Comedy War https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ge61hPMF1UumIjNhJ6Nre Referenced: All-In x Kill Tony: A Hilarious Holiday Special | All-In Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/2809z3doQooFlnoEm5H6Uk

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the two main risks famous “Big Short” investor Steve Eisman currently sees in the AI sector, which have implications for AI-related stocks, the overall stock market, and the wider economy. Related episodes: ‘Big Short’ Michael Burry Slams Tesla Stock: "Ridiculously Overvalued" https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ifpJOikaer1ipPqyGQ0DJ AI Bubble: Sam Altman Crashes Out, ‘Big Short’ Burry Bets on Bust https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O91IczRNH180RpGAetiZl AI Bubble Watch: Elon Musk Ally Peter Thiel Cuts Tesla Stock, Dumps Nvidia https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ltDJvr3dmqc09V9Xw5E2n Referenced: Steve Eisman on AI: LLM improvements will begin to gradually slow but not selling AI stocks I own | CNBC https://youtu.be/wSJMtTETOv8 Steve Eisman's 2025 Wrap Up: 4 Themes Defining the Market Today | The Weekly Wrap https://youtu.be/q47rNPyX3bc 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.

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’s Robotaxi Service in Austin Still Barely Exists https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wxUplIujYdEtz6BNi31Jo Gilded Rage: Elon Musk & Tech Billionaires Radicalized (ft. Breaking Points) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jDaBVrOVjT9JbjtU3v1q4 STOP AI Acceleration? Bernie Sanders vs All-In Podcast Billionaire Besties https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zaDCpkL8mLXbShUaza1iV Recent Weekly Lounge episodes: Weekly Lounge: Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Musk, Joe Rogan’s Billionaire Worship & Tesla’s Autopilot Ban https://open.spotify.com/episode/0n4hSJSQZdGWr2IhnZoh9b Weekly Lounge: Palantir Lonsdale Outrage, Tesla Optimus Fails & Musk’s Robotaxi Delusions https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cfFUx3uWEi1875fCqRDZf Weekly Lounge: Rogan’s "AI Jesus” Rant, TSLA Overvalued (Burry), Tesla EU Sales Crash https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k6b9wnmgqmCMt6vbqq7AP

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to a Breaking Points interview between Krystal Ball and author Jacob Silverman, about his new book Gilded Rage. The book and interview explore Silicon Valley tech billionaires’ turn to far-right politics, and the quest for more power and money, and the techno-authoritarian future they want. Related episodes: Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJ Joe Rogan’s Embarrassing Tech Billionaire Worship Hits New Low https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ggR6cTbiPxQwkB6DC9mpN Why All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98 Referenced: Silicon Valley's Dark Quest For Techno Fascism | Breaking Points https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DFU0Eg44oV51hsLgMI9rM Gilded Rage: Elon Musk and the Radicalization of Silicon Valley | Jacob Silverman https://amzn.to/4jmoReH

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Tesla’s Robotaxi project in Austin may be much smaller than Elon Musk claims. We also look at some of the other grand claims and predictions that Elon is currently making for SpaceX, and for the tech utopian future he envisions. Related episodes: Tesla Robotaxi Unsupervised: Safety Monitors Removed in Austin https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iyrnPUJQZZovdrK2VXqsp Judge’s Tesla 60-Day Ultimatum: Rename Autopilot or Face Sales Ban https://open.spotify.com/episode/55hXViiGZulwC1QZf9PjXo Elon Musk's Delusional Tesla Robotaxi Claims vs Waymo's Reality (20 mill Trips) https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CNNqzm1LBn76Ko289aDhP Referenced: The Optimus Disaster: 5 Years Late & Still Remote Controlled! | Thunderf00t https://youtu.be/NgfiuRZzBwU Tesla’s Robotaxi project in Austin is much smaller than Musk claims | Electrek https://electrek.co/2025/12/22/tesla-robotaxi-project-austin-much-smaller-than-musk-claims/ 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) reacts to part of a recent episode of the All-In Podcast with the tech billionaire “Besties”, Chamath, Jason, David Sacks, and Friedberg, in relation to what politician Bernie Sanders is currently saying about AI sector development. Senator Sanders is proposing an AI data center moratorium, and is critical of the tech billionaires involved. The All-in Besties explain why they think this is just fearmongering, and think the tech sector needs to frame fast AI development in a more positive way. Related episodes: Why All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98 Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJ Elon MUSK’S xAI Grok si POISONING Memphis! https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hAAzu6bIiBQpkSSmkZPhs Referenced videos: Bernie Sanders: Stop All AI, China's EUV Breakthrough, Inflation Down, Golden Age in 2026? | All-In Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/26BF1wvIwGuic4lYhWuBfh It's Time for a Moratorium on Data Centers | Sen. Bernie Sanders https://youtu.be/f40SFNcTOXo

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: Tesla Robotaxi Unsupervised: Safety Monitors Removed in Austin https://open.spotify.com/episode/4iyrnPUJQZZovdrK2VXqsp Sam Harris & Kara Swisher on Elon Musk: Techno-Authoritarianism and "Maniac" Behavior https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jEONT8ErTK2NFc5ObLmhJ Why All-In Podcast Tech Billionaires Don't Get the AI Backlash (ft. Tucker Carlson) https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vOcht7oeoJGu9nqevtT98 Judge’s Tesla 60-Day Ultimatum: Rename Autopilot or Face Sales Ban https://open.spotify.com/episode/55hXViiGZulwC1QZf9PjXo Joe Rogan’s Embarrassing Tech Billionaire Worship Hits New Low https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ggR6cTbiPxQwkB6DC9mpN Recent Weekly Lounge episodes: Weekly Lounge: Palantir Lonsdale Outrage, Tesla Optimus Fails & Musk’s Robotaxi Delusions https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cfFUx3uWEi1875fCqRDZf Weekly Lounge: Rogan’s "AI Jesus” Rant, TSLA Overvalued (Burry), Tesla EU Sales Crash https://open.spotify.com/episode/7k6b9wnmgqmCMt6vbqq7AP Weekly Lounge: Rogan vs Theo Von, Thiel Dumps NVDA, Musk vs Bezos in Space https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JnYCpEijlloMimu0zPvoh

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how Joe Rogan is continuing down the road of worshiping the tech billionaires he has on his podcast, such as Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, Mark Zuckerberg and others. It’s a far cry from the “everyman” and “anti-establishment” image he cultivated in the past. JJ reacts to Emma Vigeland and Sam Seder from The Majority Report, who discuss Rogan, and then comedian Tim Dillon talking with Joe Rogan about the Tech Billionaires wanting to start their own sovereign states, or so-called “network states”. Related episodes: Sam Harris: Joe Rogan’s Podcast is a “Bug Light” for Maniac Guests https://open.spotify.com/episode/0y5EBw33i8DPf8fPQnMl8E Joe Rogan’s “Jesus as AI” Rant: Has He Lost It? (American Alchemy Reaction) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wLVQjgnEKEsSSYdLvyu31 Joe Rogan GLAZES Peter Thiel & Palantir, Theo Von COOKS https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kNKj2d1vOXqlTKosqBhTY Referenced video: Rogan's Billionaire Bootlicking Hits Pathetic New Low | The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder https://youtu.be/A_FICdmz_TQ

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that a judge in California has ruled that Tesla’s marketing of its “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” systems was deceptive, and that Tesla’s license to sell and produce cars in the state should be revoked for 30 days. The California DMV has said it will give Tesla 60 days to comply and fix its marketing before going through with the suspension. This news comes at the same that Tesla is beginning to remove in-car safety monitors from its robotaxis in Austin, Texas. Is Tesla’s driving software now safe enough to operate fully autonomous robotaxis? Related episodes: Tesla Faces New NHTSA Probe of ‘Almost Sentient’ FSD https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LX5ly0J5ORNp8yGg0ERnV Elon’s Tesla Self-Driving Lies Are Catching Up To Him: Forbes https://open.spotify.com/episode/4f1avoIZag16DWbEospxfS Jury Finds Tesla Partly Liable ($243m) in Autopilot Fatality https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ScnbKkJutsMmBlfR0izzX Referenced video: The Insanity of Tesla CRASH DATA https://youtu.be/zT-sfRF6Hvk