Overview of Pivot Live from Los Angeles
This live episode of Pivot centers on how politics, media, and tech are colliding in the Trump era. Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway interview Harvey Levin, founder of TMZ, about his move into political coverage, the rise of politics as entertainment, and how social platforms like YouTube and TikTok are reshaping news consumption. The second half shifts into a sharper breakdown of Trump’s inner circle, Stephen Miller’s growing influence, the political implications for Big Tech, and what the recent election means for Democrats, data centers, and the economy.
Harvey Levin: From Celebrity Media to Political Coverage
Why TMZ Went to Washington
- Harvey Levin explains that TMZ moved into D.C. because politics had become inseparable from pop culture.
- He says traditional Washington reporting felt:
- incestuous
- cookie-cutter
- too similar in tone, style, and staffing
- TMZ’s approach was to “zag”:
- younger, less polished reporters
- conversational interviews rather than scripted Q&A
- more authentic, surprising, and human moments
Trump as a Celebrity-First Political Figure
- Levin says he knew Trump for decades as a businessman and TV personality, not as a politician.
- He argues Trump’s pre-political persona was more relaxed and less ideological than the public sees today.
- The discussion suggests Trump’s celebrity background helped shape how media covers him now: as much a spectacle as a politician.
TMZ DC’s Anger-Driven Origin Story
- Levin recounts that TMZ DC grew out of his anger during the government shutdown.
- After interviewing an overwhelmed TSA worker, he urged viewers to photograph lawmakers vacationing during the shutdown.
- The resulting wave of images, including Lindsey Graham at Disney World, became a viral political stunt with real impact.
Media Is Moving to Social, Not Legacy
- Levin says:
- TV is “legacy”
- websites are now also becoming legacy
- YouTube and social are where the audience is
- TMZ is shifting toward:
- rawer, more platform-native documentaries
- creator-driven content
- multi-platform distribution across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and TV
- He emphasizes that the goal is not to pick one platform, but to be everywhere.
Politics, Pop Culture, and the New Media Model
Politics as Entertainment
- Levin argues politics has always overlapped with entertainment and celebrity.
- He frames politics as part of pop culture, not a separate, sacred category.
- Kara and Scott push on whether that’s healthy, given the real-life stakes of government decisions.
The New Political Media Style
- TMZ’s Washington content succeeds, Levin says, because it shows politicians as people rather than talking heads.
- Their reporters “have conversations,” not formal interviews.
- The hosts note this has become especially effective in an era where short-form clips and authentic exchanges travel better than traditional broadcast segments.
The Future of Production
- Levin says the economics of media are changing fast:
- tiny production budgets
- high reach through social
- lower overhead than TV
- He cites a documentary produced for roughly $1,000 as proof that the old model is being disrupted.
Trump, Stephen Miller, and the White House Power Center
Stephen Miller’s Rise
- The hosts react to the idea that Stephen Miller is effectively becoming the central operator in Trump’s White House.
- Their framing is deeply critical:
- Miller is described as dangerous, punitive, and authoritarian
- his influence is viewed as a sign that Trump is doubling down after losing
- The concern is not just ideology, but who controls access to the president.
A White House Without Guardrails
- The conversation repeatedly returns to the danger of:
- weak institutional checks
- no meaningful press or staff constraints
- too much power concentrated in the hands of unelected aides
- The hosts say the bigger problem is not just Trump’s personality, but the absence of guardrails around him.
Accountability vs. Retribution
- Kara argues Democrats need to focus on:
- accountability
- oversight
- subpoenas
- But she also warns that investigations alone are not enough if Democrats don’t pair them with a concrete economic message.
Big Tech, Data Centers, and Market Fallout
Election Backlash Against Tech
- The show connects the election results to public anger toward Big Tech and AI infrastructure.
- Democrats are expected to investigate:
- data center deals
- Musk-related government ties
- platform behavior around ICE and political content
- financial and policy influence in Washington
Market Reaction to the Blue Wave
- Scott argues the market selloff in tech reflects:
- anxiety about regulation
- skepticism about AI valuations
- fear that the public is pushing back on data center expansion
- He says this may hurt:
- pure-play AI companies
- highly leveraged compute businesses
- Big diversified players like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google may be better insulated.
Regulation as a Moat
- A key business point: regulation often helps incumbents.
- If new data center projects are blocked or slowed, the biggest players already have the resources and infrastructure in place.
- That means public anger at tech may ultimately reinforce the dominance of the largest firms.
“Be Careful What You Wish For”
- Scott repeatedly warns Democrats and progressives that anti-tech measures could:
- reduce growth
- strengthen incumbents
- limit innovation
- He argues the real goal should be better rules, not blanket hostility toward tech.
Local Politics: Los Angeles, Mayors, and Populism
Los Angeles and Nithya Raman
- Kara and Scott discuss Los Angeles politics, including Nithya Raman’s win and Karen Bass’s loss.
- Scott argues the race was not a simple socialist referendum:
- it was shaped by the Palisades fire
- local governance structure matters
- LA’s mayor has limited power compared with county officials
The Bigger Pattern in City Politics
- They also discuss the rise of younger, more progressive city politicians like:
- Zohran Mamdani
- Nithya Raman
- Their view is that voters are reacting less to ideology and more to:
- cost of living
- housing
- age and generational change
- performance and delivery
The Economic Message Democrats Need
The Core Voter Concern Is Affordability
- Scott argues Democrats should stop leading with revenge or symbolism and lead with economics.
- He says voters care most about:
- jobs
- housing
- wages
- healthcare
- cost of living
- He urges Democrats to present a clear, practical growth agenda rather than only anti-billionaire rhetoric.
Policies He Recommends
- Ideas raised in the conversation include:
- universal health coverage
- a $25 minimum wage
- housing credits
- vocational training
- lifting the Social Security cap
- funding the IRS to collect more revenue
- campaign finance reform
- antitrust enforcement
Tax and Growth Debate
- Scott pushes back on billionaire wealth taxes as ineffective.
- He argues Democrats should focus on:
- broadening the tax base
- funding public investment
- encouraging economic growth
- making the tax system more progressive without chasing away capital
Elon Musk and the Limits of Private Power
Musk’s Political Influence Is Waning
- The hosts discuss Elon Musk’s diminished political leverage after spending heavily and getting little in return.
- They describe a broader pattern:
- huge private money
- little democratic accountability
- growing public frustration
Why Musk Is a Symbol
- Musk is presented as the clearest example of how unelected billionaires can shape:
- infrastructure
- policy
- information systems
- even security-related technology
- The hosts argue that no private citizen should have that much power over government decisions.
The Bigger Structural Problem
- Their final framing is that America needs:
- stronger democratic guardrails
- better tax policy
- campaign finance reform
- less dependence on the whims of wealthy individuals
Main Takeaways
- Politics is now part of pop culture, and media has to adapt to that reality.
- YouTube and social platforms are the future, while TV and websites are increasingly legacy channels.
- Harvey Levin sees TMZ’s edge as authenticity, not polish.
- Trump’s post-election power structure looks more dangerous, especially with Stephen Miller gaining influence.
- Democrats need more than investigations; they need a clear affordability and growth agenda.
- The public is pushing back on Big Tech and AI infrastructure, especially data centers.
- Private power in tech and politics is a major concern, from Musk to platform CEOs.
Notable Lines and Ideas
Harvey Levin
- Politics is part of pop culture.
- TV is legacy.
- The secret sauce is having conversations, not rehearsed interviews.
Scott Galloway
- The market and politics are both reacting to a deeper rebellion against concentrated power.
- Democrats should be “pro-growth, not just anti-billionaire.”
- The biggest political problem is that too much power has shifted to unelected private actors.
Kara Swisher
- Media should go where the audience is.
- Distribution matters more than nostalgia for old formats.
- Accountability is important, but messaging and policy delivery matter more.