RJ Scaringe interview on Kara Swisher podcast

[COdogman]

Echoing what some others have said, I find Kara's speeping vitriol towards the "right" insufferable. I don't need to start my own podcast, I can just not listen to hers, and instead criticize it on the internet . This is unfortunate as I usually like listening to RJ who has had the sense to remain focused on his products over the years.

I too have many problems with Tesla/Elon/Trump but also know that the joyless, self righteous, patronizing tone she uses does nothing but strengthen her opponents and leads to further polarization.

I am saddened to see forum members putting down others who are simply expressing their opinion logically while using polite language - not seeing the hypocrisy in defending someone else's right to an opinion by trying to take someone else's away.

WWRJD - What would RJ do?

At what point was their right to an opinion questioned? Stop being dramatic

Kara has her right to her opinions, right? So do those criticizing her, right? So do those of us who disagree with them as well. That's how free speech works...

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[Dark-Fx]

Echoing what some others have said, I find Kara's speeping vitriol towards the "right" insufferable. I don't need to start my own podcast, I can just not listen to hers, and instead criticize it on the internet . This is unfortunate as I usually like listening to RJ who has had the sense to remain focused on his products over the years.

I too have many problems with Tesla/Elon/Trump but also know that the joyless, self righteous, patronizing tone she uses does nothing but strengthen her opponents and leads to further polarization.

I am saddened to see forum members putting down others who are simply expressing their opinion logically while using polite language - not seeing the hypocrisy in defending someone else's right to an opinion by trying to take someone else's away.

WWRJD - What would RJ do?

People have a right to complain about it, just as she has a right to do it.
Expressing your opinions is always going to invite others to criticize them, especially if they are horrid.

 

[justin_bailey]

The part where Jony Ive said Teslas look like the inside of an egg

This was a great interview. I'm a new Rivian owner so this was the first time I've heard RJ speak in long form - he is very good at his job.

Also a fan of Kara. Nothing she said was off the mark so I don't see an issue with it. She doesn't mince words.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

This was a very informative discussion with RJ on the future direction of Rivian and obstacles to overcome. I have to say this would have been better without Kara injecting her hatred for Elon and Trump which was very unprofessional and unnecessary. She could have simply stated the policies she disagrees with rather than attacking people. Otherwise, it was a good interview.

Elon's trasformation and change in reputation is public record. To ignore that is being willfully ignorant of reality and facts. But fanboys will remain fanboys until egregiously wronged by him personally. So, it's moot to argue about it. Either side, no one will be swayed.

As for Swisher speaking her mind and being "unprofessional"...

1. Never a good idea to opine what a woman should and shouldn't say
2. It's her podcast/platform, not yours, she can say whatever she wants. You don't have to like it. And that's the flip side of the first amendment. It isn't just for speech you like.
3. Unprofessional? It's not a professional venue. It's basically a small time radio talk show. Plus, know the audience (hint, it's probably not you). I don't know who she is, but the fact she is able to carry on like this and generate whatever revenue she does, her off-the-cuff commentary is obviously acceptable to her audience and her sponsors. It ain't about you. She didn't interview RJ on your behalf. She did it for herself and her followers.

 

[jeeden]

I think this was a pretty big interview for RJ. Kara is VERY well known.

I would also add that Kara has been around the tech world for a long time. Used to work for the Washington Post and then the NYT in the early 2000s. She was someone who PERSONALLY knew Bezos, Gates, Jobs, Elon, etc., before any of them were anyone. She has been independent for a long time and is known for being a good reporter who also understands tech and calls a lot of bullshit.

This is her spin-off pod. Pivot is her main pod with Scott Galloway who is a NYU Econ professor that has a great understanding of the economics of tech (and has started and sold many companies over the years).

Pick what you would consider your top mainstream reporter, and she is that for the tech world that is merging with politics and mainstream as time goes on, like everything else.

 

[Acoustic71]

That’s a funny defense for their very “original” stay-in-the -lane-I -decide-you-belong-in takes.

Give me a break

it’s her show and she can talk about what she wants. If you fail to see or admit how Elon and/or Trump relate to Rivian’s present and future, I would simply ask you to pull your head out of the sand.

I think you misspelled “ass”

 

[babock]

Pivot is her main pod with Scott Galloway

Awesome podcast...listen to every single one.

 

[SDH]

RJ is a great communicator IMO. He doesn't over-hype but you feel his passion. He's a geeky engineer after all and I think he's 100% the right person to lead Rivian. He just needs to keep a great team around him.

 

[vandy1981]

This was a very informative discussion with RJ on the future direction of Rivian and obstacles to overcome. I have to say this would have been better without Kara injecting her hatred for Elon and Trump which was very unprofessional and unnecessary. She could have simply stated the policies she disagrees with rather than attacking people. Otherwise, it was a good interview.

You're not going to walk out of a Kara Swisher interview without hearing anti-tech-bro vitriol.

Also, Trump and Musk have made it pretty much impossible to make a distinction between their persons and policies.

 

[2kwik4u]

Less than 20 seconds in before I cringed. Don't talk over your guests lady.

I'll try to go back later and watch. Maybe when I've had a couple shots of patience this evening.

 

[Luxus]

I watched this this morning. Nice to see a tech CEO understand to not touch the politics third rail. Of course doesn't seem like RJ is con man who only wants to pump up the company stock. Seems like he is focused on building cars (as he should be). Didn't care to learn he has a robotics startup. Seems like an unnecessary distraction.

The interviewer has some strong opinions. Which is fine given it's her podcast. I don't agree with her stance on people not owning cars in the future though.

 

[captainjp]

Didn't care to learn he has a robotics startup

I believe the robotics are for a manufacturing application. Similar to what they’re using for assembling Rivian’s vehicles. My point is that it’s not completely irrelevant.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

This was a very informative discussion with RJ on the future direction of Rivian and obstacles to overcome. I have to say this would have been better without Kara injecting her hatred for Elon and Trump which was very unprofessional and unnecessary. She could have simply stated the policies she disagrees with rather than attacking people. Otherwise, it was a good interview.

Interviewers are always trying to get RJ to shit talk other people, but he never takes the bait. He wants Rivian to be around long after he’s gone and not capitulate to any one political party or person. He sees the bigger picture and wants Rivian to be a positive force in the development of our future. We need more people like this. Levelheaded, calm, and forward thinking.

I thought Kara was too combative and trying to interject that Rivian just caters to the wealthy, etc. Many recent startups have followed this same path and RJ explained how it works very succinctly. She should give the company and the R2 a chance. They’ve only been selling vehicles since 2021.

 

[SANZC02]

Interviewers are always trying to get RJ to shit talk other people, but he never takes the bait. He wants Rivian to be around long after he’s gone and not capitulate to any one political party or person. He sees the bigger picture and wants Rivian to be a positive force in the development of our future. We need more people like this. Levelheaded, calm, and forward thinking.

I thought Kara was too combative and trying to interject that Rivian just caters to the wealthy, etc. Many recent startups have followed this same path and RJ explained how it works very succinctly. She should give the company and the R2 a chance. They’ve only been selling vehicles since 2021.

I think she is right about Tesla being a meme stock though. I’ve always thought the P/E was unrealistic, even now it is at a staggering 398.

Sales are down and what used to be huge net margins has steadily fallen from 15.5% in December 2023, to 7.3% in December 2024, and recently 4% in December 2025. 53% drop in 2024 and another 46% drop in 2025. In that same time stock went from low 200s to low 400s.

 

[2kwik4u]

I had a few shots of patience last night and the kids ran off to play elsewhere so I got the TV for a bit.

Watched the interview. Really like RJs energy and demeanor in general. You can tell he has some passion left, and enough sense to not get baited into non-productive discourse. Honestly, makes me like the company better, even if I inherently disagree with it being a tech company first and a car company second.

Good Lord she is an insufferable person. Wonder how the weather is WAY up there on that high horse she so confidently ride. Won't be tuning in to her again, that was an awful experience made tolerable by an interesting and charismatic guest.

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