# Elon Musk’s Valuation Machine: Genius Business or Rules Written for Billionaires? 6/12/26

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mark-thompson-show-5748981/elon-musk-s-valuation-machine-genius-business-or-rules-written-for-billionaires-6-12-26
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mark-thompson-show-5748981/elon-musk-s-valuation-machine-genius-business-or-rules-written-for-billionaires-6-12-26.md
Podcast: [The Mark Thompson Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-mark-thompson-show-5748981)
Published: 2026-06-12T20:54:22+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/elon-musk-s-valuation-machine-genius-business-or-rules-written-for-billionaires-6-12-26--72504689
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72504689/pod_6_12.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-mark-thompson-show-5748981/episodes/elon-musk-s-valuation-machine-genius-business-or-rules-written-for-billionaires-6-12-26
Duration seconds: 7174

## Resource

Elon Musk has built some of the most valuable companies on Earth, but how much of that success comes from innovation, and how much comes from a system that gives billionaires a different set of rules? As SpaceX’s valuation soars and IPO speculation grows, we look at the regulations, government support, private market advantages, and exceptions that critics say helped fuel the Musk empire. Were the rules bent ? Here we go again with the back-and-forth on Trump’s Iran War. Trump says a deal is imminent, but Iran says there’s no final decision on that. It’s contrary to what President Trump told reporters - that a settlement has been reached and a memorandum of understanding could be signed soon, likely in Europe. In keeping with that statement, Trump called off planned hard strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, there’s word that Iran tried to strike commercial ships trying to get through the Strait of Hormuz and US officials shot down Iranian attack drones. The reports are conflicting from all angles. Is this part of Trump’s strategy or does the Trump administration, once again, not really have a handle on what it’s doing? We’ll put the question to Michael Shure and Mo Kelly who join us for ‘This Week in Politics.’ Then, it’s all about weekend frivolity with a swing by the state of Florida to check in on the craziness and a look at movies with The Culture Blaster, Michael Snyder. Bring on the weekend! The Mark Thompson Show 6/12/26

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