Inside Elon Musk’s universe: Biographer Walter Isaacson on what drives and haunts him

Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Biographer Walter Isaacson joins Margaret Hoover to discuss his new bestselling biography of Elon Musk and what he learned from two years of observing the world’s richest man.

Isaacson explains how Musk’s turbulent childhood in South Africa left him with a love of science fiction and adventure that drives his innovations and aspirations, as well as a dark side that still haunts him today.

He details how SpaceX’s Starlink satellites have played a pivotal role in the war in Ukraine and why Musk ultimately ceded some control of them to the U.S. government. He also comments on Tesla’s ties to China and why the outspoken Musk seems hesitant to criticize Beijing.

Isaacson assesses Musk’s recent attacks on the Anti-Defamation League, his attitude toward hate speech and anti-Semitism on X, and his tendency to promote outlandish conspiracy theories.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Stephens Inc., Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, Kathleen and Andrew McKenna through The McKenna Family Foundation, Charles R. Schwab, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, and Damon Button.