The John Johnston Lounge

Hosted by John Johnston

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809

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The John Johnston Lounge, where tech, business, politics, and culture collide. Join host John Johnston (JJ) for a daily breakdown of some of the most powerful tech companies and people. JJ goes beyond the headlines to critique the unusual psychology, strategies, and politics of tech billionaires Elon Musk (Tesla and SpaceX), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Peter Thiel (Palantir), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), and others. Whether it's an inflating AI bubble, a Silicon Valley coup, or the politics of the "Rogansphere," we cover it with critical depth, zero sycophancy, and a healthy dose of humor!

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60 recent

June 16, 202616 min

Legit Legendary Investor: AI ‘Has Characteristics of A Bubble’

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how legitimately legendary investor Seth Klarman thinks today's stock market, which is currently obsessed with AI-related companies and stocks, has characteristics of a bubble. Klarman argues that even if AI is real and transformative, because of the huge uncertainty, the market should have a lower multiple.Related episodes:SpaceX & AI: “Bigger Than The Dot Com Bubble” | Jim Chanos https://open.spotify.com/episode/0hywOjJLjvIs53nOXHQorlDangerous AI Bubble: Retail Investors Are Being Conned | Ed Zitron https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mmybdVO6Jyc8hrcjbLCvnIs SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6luNeIb6Er8hkgOV9ySsw0Referenced video:Seth Klarman: "This Is a Bubble" | The Legendary Investor's Brutal AI Warning | iConnections https://youtu.be/AbZYb11A-Hw Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 15, 202614 min

SpaceX & AI: “Bigger Than The Dot Com Bubble” | Jim Chanos

John Johnston (JJ) reacts to famous short-seller Jim Chanos, as he gives his vast experience-led opinions about the warming signs he sees in the current U.S. stock market, including the SpaceX and upcoming AI IPOs, and the AI data center buildout. Related episodes:Elon's SpaceX HAS TO Grow Like No Company Ever Has https://open.spotify.com/episode/0utF3Iw7k1Tmz5PDf02FfXIs SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6luNeIb6Er8hkgOV9ySsw0Dangerous AI Bubble: Retail Investors Are Being Conned | Ed Zitron https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mmybdVO6Jyc8hrcjbLCvnReferenced video:"This Is Bigger Than the Dot-Com Bubble": Jim Chanos's Brutal Warning Before the SpaceX IPO https://youtu.be/MYm33zOpT0gSpaceX IPO Is Troubling Sign for Markets, Chanos Says https://youtu.be/LoLdN9Q9hwUThe IPO Frenzy Has Begun — ft. Howard Marks https://youtu.be/_LZe22xhsHcDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 11, 202614 min

Dangerous AI Bubble: Retail Investors Are Being Conned | Ed Zitron

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down what Ed Zitron is currently saying about the AI bubble he sees in financial markets, and the companies involved, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Zitron thinks the market situation is dangerous for retail investors in particular, and that Anthropic and OpenAI should not be allowed to IPO.Related episodes:Is SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6luNeIb6Er8hkgOV9ySsw0Is Elon’s SpaceX ‘Coup’ About to Rob Your 401K? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Cz8MYXopM3MAeLsAiy8EQElon’s SpaceX About to Unleash Wave of Fever Pitch IPOs https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cHKp7naMK9KdOud3mT9aMentioned: JJ’s Politics Unfiltered: Trump Stormed Out of THAT Interview. Here’s Why He Couldn’t Take It https://open.spotify.com/episode/5eftG8wH1hxHrQtVB3Dy0PReferenced video:Anthopic, OpenAI Should Not Be Allowed to IPO, Says Ed Zitron | Bloomberg https://youtu.be/zbKDmkJPVvIDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 10, 202612 min

Politics: Trump Stormed Out of THAT Interview. Here’s Why He Couldn’t Take It

The Art of Value: Politics host John Johnston (JJ) breaks down part of President Donald Trump’s recent combative interview where he storms out in a rage over valid questions about the Iran War and his constant election-rigging claims. Related episodes:Trump’s Obsession with Autocrat Viktor Orbán Explained https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NG1RKYy85wNwWF6vDRoOYTrump’s World Cup TANKING: Tourists Planning To Stay Away https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XQF3EqkPUsBfBE98RzmChReferenced videosTrump RAGE QUITS Interview: Says NEVER Promised No New Wars | Breaking Points https://youtu.be/wh0e-A5piiwTrump Completely Loses It During Bizarre NBC Interview | The Bulwark https://youtu.be/ia3Ks_BkjUATrump’s Worst Nightmare Happened On Live TV | The Bulwark https://youtu.be/T_4izAkrL9g

June 9, 202619 min

SpaceX is About to Unleash Wave of Fever Pitch IPOs

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down some of the popular finance media and fund manager perspectives on the SpaceX IPO, and the wave of historic IPOs that are poised to follow, including Anthropic and OpenAI. Does this mark the AI boom getting to “fever pitch” stage?Related episodes:Elon's SpaceX HAS TO Grow Like No Company Ever Has https://open.spotify.com/episode/0utF3Iw7k1Tmz5PDf02FfXIs SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6luNeIb6Er8hkgOV9ySsw0Is Elon’s SpaceX ‘Coup’ About to Rob Your 401K? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Cz8MYXopM3MAeLsAiy8EQReferenced videos:AI’s $400 Billion Test Is About To Begin | Prof G Markets https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FuGGfeFaNdGtGTS7nVPok‘Big Short’ investor Steve Eisman: I'm 'not a fan' of the upcoming SpaceX IPO | CNBC Television https://youtu.be/sL9hq7Qj1qcTom Lee: False narrative to think bull market is in trouble | CNBC Television https://youtu.be/MJ56NoxTaYISpaceX's gravitational market pull CNBC Television https://youtu.be/PyOsEp36AOQDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 8, 202616 min

Elon's SpaceX HAS TO Grow Like No Company Ever Has

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down the news that Elon Musk’s SpaceX will need to grow 600x in 10 years to justify the $1.75 trillion IPO target valuation, and no company has ever come close to that. JJ also looks at how Google has said it will pay SpaceX $920 million per month for AI compute capacity at xAI data centers. Also, the S&P500 has rejects SpaceX from getting early access to the index, which would’ve meant early access to billions from passive investors. Related episodes:Is SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6luNeIb6Er8hkgOV9ySsw0Is Elon’s SpaceX ‘Coup’ About to Rob Your 401K? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Cz8MYXopM3MAeLsAiy8EQSpaceX IPO is Stock Market Insanity https://open.spotify.com/episode/14U1OxBZFLY8OzdnYx5T6BDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 3, 202617 min

Is SpaceX Overvalued by ~$1 Trillion? (Morningstar Says So)

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down why the current SpaceX IPO valuation of $1.75 trillion is being challenged by Morningstar, which says SpaceX is being “significantly overvalued”. A Morningstar analyst thinks the space and AI company is worth less than half of that. Related episodes:Is Elon’s SpaceX ‘Coup’ About to Rob Your 401K? https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Cz8MYXopM3MAeLsAiy8EQSpaceX IPO is Stock Market Insanity https://open.spotify.com/episode/14U1OxBZFLY8OzdnYx5T6BDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 1, 202619 min

Is Elon’s SpaceX ‘Coup’ About to Rob Your 401K?

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how some investment and financial experts are sounding the alarm over Elon Musk’s SpaceX IPO “coup” that could force retirement funds to buy unprofitable SpaceX soon after the SpaceXf IPO, due to a significant rule change that is happening for SpaceX first.Related episodes:SpaceX IPO is Stock Market Insanity https://open.spotify.com/episode/14U1OxBZFLY8OzdnYx5T6BSpaceX IPO Valuation Hype: Elon’s Ultimate Reality Distortion? https://open.spotify.com/episode/68NedN7wmQLZtPkDmukIEb#SpaceXIPO #ElonMusk #StockMarket #401k #IndexFunds #Investing #SpaceX #ETFs #PassiveInvesting #FinanceNews Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

June 1, 202616 min

SpaceX IPO is Stock Market Insanity

John Johnston (JJ) breaks down how the upcoming SpaceX IPO could be close to peak stock market AI bubble insanity, from a number of perspectives. JJ references the recent SpaceX pre-IPO S-1 filing, and a possible merger with Tesla, and what various analysts are saying.Related episodes:SpaceX IPO: Elon Musk is Preying on His ‘Elon-gelicals’ https://open.spotify.com/episode/2r60g5D3LjueQ1dMChFVkcSpaceX IPO Valuation Hype: Elon’s Ultimate Reality Distortion? https://open.spotify.com/episode/68NedN7wmQLZtPkDmukIEbElon’s SpaceX $1.75T IPO: ‘Lottery Ticket With Better Branding’ https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cfQKCpmzocEleD5PDjJxaReferenced video:The Most Unprofitable IPO in Wall Street History https://open.spotify.com/episode/2oO4hwhvzMisicAT3AJI6D?si=a39d9e95beff4f8f We Uncovered a Hidden Wealth Transfer in the SpaceX IPO. You're Holding the Bag. | More Perfect Union https://youtu.be/sYA-z0Y8WRQDisclaimer: I am not a financial adviser and nothing in this content is financial advice. This content is for general education and entertainment purposes only. Do your own analysis and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decision.

May 18, 202610 min

Politics: Trump Shut Out as Canada & Europe Ditch the USA

The Art of Value: Politics host JJ breaks down how traditional Western allies have been increasingly pulling away from working closely with the Trump administration, and finding ways to strengthen alliances between each other, especially between Canada and Europe. Canada is acting increasingly like the EU’s 28th member state, rather than a 51st state of the US.Related episodes:Trump’s World Cup TANKING: Tourists Planning To Stay Away https://open.spotify.com/episode/6XQF3EqkPUsBfBE98RzmChTrump’s Obsession with Autocrat Viktor Orbán Explained https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NG1RKYy85wNwWF6vDRoOYRelated videos:Canada Joins Europe, DITCHES USA - Bloomberg: "EU's 28th Member State" | House of Elhttps://youtu.be/7pJDTXfNupoTrump in PANIC After Merz Says DON'T Go to America - "Would Not Advise My Children" | House of Elhttps://youtu.be/6vYbwCfBtTo