Hello and welcome to the G0 World Podcast.

I'm Ian Bremmer, and this is where you can normally find extended versions of my interviews on public television.

But today, I am bringing a very special episode, a timely conversation with Semaphore co-founder Ben Smith

about the explosive feud that erupted last week between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

It was an extraordinary public fight between two billionaires, President Trump, the country's

most powerful man, and Musk the world's richest. Their partnership imploded after Musk took issue

with Trump's deficit-expanding big, beautiful bill. Maybe unsurprisingly, it quickly turned

personal. The feud appears to be cooling, at least for now, but that doesn't mean reconciliation.

Trump warned Musk will face serious consequences if he decides to fund Democratic candidates

and says he has no interest in repairing the broken relationship.

There's a lot at stake.

For Trump, Musk's political funding ahead of the 2026 midterms.

For Musk, billions in government contracts and subsidies for his companies.

Beyond the reality show style drama, the breakup of the president and the GOP's biggest and most influential donor has upended one of the defining

dynamics shaping President Trump's second term, with big implications for the Republican Party

and its relationship with Silicon Valley. So is this a permanent rift between deep MAGA and dark

maga? Will this battle be another example of a so-called Trump taco trade, or are we only scraping the surface of President Trump's ability to reward his friends

and punish his enemies?

In the short term, in very permanent, consequential ways.

I'll cover all that and more with my guest Semaphoree co-founder and editor-in-chief, Ben Smith.

Let's get to it.

Ben Smith. Good to see you, man. Good to see you. Thank you for having me.

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