Fire and Fury – The Podcast

Elon Musk has spent his career turning improbable ideas into companies that reshape the world. To some, the entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX is an engineering genius whose ambitions have transformed electric cars and space travel. To others, his politics and extraordinary influence raise serious questions about the future he is building. Either way, the world’s first trillionaire is betting Tesla’s future on AI and humanoid robots, and SpaceX’s on life beyond Earth.
In this season’s debut episode, Walter asks Musk about DOGE regrets, why he believes robots will solve America’s national debt, and the dark politics that have consumed his own platform, X. Along the way, Musk shares why living in a simulation demands that we all be less boring. A candid conversation about the imagination, drive and contradictions of a man determined to turn his vision into our future.
Interview taped August 6, 2026.
And be sure to pick up Walter Isaacson’s The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, wherever fine books are sold.
ABOUT THE HOST
Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Elon Musk, Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane University and previously served as CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair and CEO of CNN, and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023.
IN THIS SEASON
Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, xAI)
Peter Thiel (Founders Fund, PayPal, Palantir)
Mustafa Suleyman (Microsoft AI, DeepMind)
Dario Amodei and Daniela Amodei (Anthropic)
and more!
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In this episode, Michael and James reflect on Tuesday’s transformative election outcome and Donald Trump’s return to power. They unpack the GOP’s decisive victory, the recalibration within Trump’s inner circle, and the Democrats’ struggle to regroup. What does Trump’s victory signal for his stance on key issues, and how will his approach shift—or stay the same—now that he'll be back in the White House.
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Following last week’s headline-making revelations about the complex relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, Michael and James return for a special bonus episode with a powerful follow-up. In this discussion, Michael dives deeper into his decision to release these recordings now, revealing additional behind-the-scenes conversations with Epstein that offer a candid look at Trump’s tactics, ambitions, and the dark dynamics of their friendship.
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In this episode, Michael reveals a key source for his reporting on Donald Trump: Jeffrey Epstein. Through behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-heard recordings, Michael recounts Epstein's candid insights into Trump’s rise, revealing a world of power plays, unsettling competitions, and twisted allegiances. The conversation unearths Epstein’s perspective on Trump’s character, ambition, and his relentless pursuit of power.
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In this episode, Michael and James examine the fractured dynamics of Trump’s campaign, uncovering the tension between Trump’s outward confidence and the unease simmering within his inner circle. They explore Elon Musk’s unpredictable influence and the tactical breakdowns that have left the campaign on edge. With ambitions and anxieties colliding in the final days, is Trump truly steering his own destiny, or is his campaign unraveling from within? Have a question for Michael and James? Email us at fireandfurypodcast@gmail.com
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