Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson: Politics, Trump, AOC, Elon & DOGE | Lex Fridman Podcast #462

Thanks for finally having a compelling Liberal voice on your show. Here’s hoping more democrats decide to do long form content

Center right and LOVED this conversation!!!! So interesting and well articulated. Awesome job, Lex

I’ve been dying to see Ezra be one of these big podcasts. Thank you Lex

Derek Thompson is on fire here.

Lex, the guests were exceptional, and the conversations were deeply insightful. The discussions were objective, thoughtful, and honest. I appreciated how clearly you conveyed your perspective and opinions, demonstrating confidence in expressing your views.

Derek thompson is well spoken and relatable, good to hear from him

"They aren't an independent because they hate the other party, they're and independent because they hate your party too." THAT!! 💯

Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep462-sa See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. 0:00 - Episode highlight 3:08 - Introduction 6:37 - Left-wing vs right-wing politics 15:58 - Political leaders on the left and the right 40:34 - Internal political divisions 43:34 - AOC 54:54 - Political realignment 1:06:37 - Supply-side progressivism 1:13:47 - Wealth redistribution 1:23:54 - Housing problem 1:40:13 - Regulation and deregulation 1:56:47 - DOGE, Elon, and Trump 2:55:50 - Sam Harris 3:05:28 - Future of America *Transcript:* https://lexfridman.com/ezra-klein-and-derek-thompson-transcript *CONTACT LEX:* *Feedback* - give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey *AMA* - submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama *Hiring* - join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring *Other* - other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact *EPISODE LINKS:* Abundance (new book): https://amzn.to/4iZ1S8J Ezra's X: https://x.com/ezraklein/ Ezra's Instagram: https://instagram.com/ezraklein Ezra's YouTube: https://youtube.com/EzraKleinShow The New York Times: https://nytimes.com/by/ezra-klein Derek's X: https://x.com/dkthomp Plain English (podcast): https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/plain-english-with-derek-thompson The Atlantic: https://theatlantic.com/author/derek-thompson/ *SPONSORS:* To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: *Call of Duty:* First-person shooter video game. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/call_of_duty-ep462-sa *LMNT:* Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep462-sa *AG1:* All-in-one daily nutrition drinks. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/ag1-ep462-sa *Shopify:* Sell stuff online. Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep462-sa

One of your best podcasts Lex. It’s great to let your guests just talk. Especially such smart and articulate ones as these two. I’m a conservative, but I appreciate Ezra and Derek’s point of view and to hear their criticisms of their side.

This was one hell of a great, eye-opening and detailed discussion. Thank you. I loved it.