Fauci Testifies, Alex Jones Take Down, Pride Month Takeover & Diddy Updates | PBD Podcast | Ep. 421

Elon Musk's ambitious compensation plan and the subsequent hesitancy to fully pay it out have sparked discussion and legal battles concerning the fulfillment of corporate promises.

Musk negotiated an ambitious compensation plan in 2018 that would pay him $56 billion if Tesla's valuation reached $650 billion in 6 years

Elon Musk struck a landmark deal with Tesla in February 2018, setting up a link between his earnings and the company's market valuation. If Tesla reached a valuation of $650 billion within a span of six years, Musk was to receive a staggering $56 billion payout. This pay package, hinging on quite lofty goals, was ratified with the approval of 73% of Tesla shareholders. Despite the skepticism, Tesla has since surpassed the $650 billion mark.

Patrick Bet-David adds that Musk’s approach defied the norm as he negotiated to forfeit a direct salary in lieu of stock options tied to Tesla’s performance. Musk would earn zero salary, but his compensation was dependent on Tesla's increased valuation from around $50-55 billion to $650 billion. His nominal actual salary, mandated by California law to be at least the minimum wage, totaled $37,000 over the six years, which Musk never withdrew.

Despite Tesla claiming it met all the required performance targets by 2023, the board and Kathleen McCormick, a Delaware judge, are now showing reluctance in distributing the agreed-upon compensation in full.

The plan was approved by 73% of Tesla shareholders at the time, despite skepticism that Musk would achieve such lofty goals

Bet-David notes that, despite initial skepticism—Tesla being the most shorted stock in the NASDAQ 100 with 22.6% short interest—shareholders overwhelmingly supported Musk's compensation scheme. With 73% agreement, they backed Musk under the belief that he could propel the company toward unprecedented growth. This deal was seen as a reflection and test of capitalist incentives.

Musk’s drive for Tesla's incremental growth was set into structured targets within 10-year grants split into 12 tranches of stock options, rewarding accomplishments at each stage.

Musk has criticized the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for voting against his pay package

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), whose CEO Marcy Frost announced plans to vote against Musk’s compensation, became a focus of Musk's criticism. CalPERS’s stance is that the payout does not accurately reflect Tesla’s performance, though Musk blasted them on social media for reneging on their word regarding his compensation.

Bet-David however, hints at a ...

Amid his recent public appearances, Anthony Fauci has navigated a series of confrontations and controversies while also dealing with personal threats.

Fauci faced tough questioning from Marjorie Taylor Greene over his COVID-19 guidance and policies

Anthony Fauci was criticized and questioned by various figures, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, over his role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greene accused Fauci of fabricating social distancing and masking rules, and called for him to be prosecuted

During a podcast, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted Anthony Fauci, questioning his guidance on social distancing and masking. She claimed Fauci confessed to fabricating COVID-19 rules, a claim which Fauci denied, stating that his guidance was based on science. Greene accused Fauci of causing harm with his recommendations and suggested he committed crimes against humanity, demanding prosecution.

Fauci also faced other contentious interactions, including being labeled as bureaucratically overreaching by Rich McCormick, a healthcare provider who contrasted his direct patient care experience during the pandemic with Fauci's role. McCormick asserted that his own censured views have eventually been proven right.

Additionally, the discussion turned to allegations of Fauci's involvement in funding gain-of-function research and claims of professionals being silenced by the government. The conversation also touched on public perception, with Ricky Aguilar noting that some people believe Fauci and the government handled the pandemic correctly, while Vincent Oshana ex ...

Jones broke down in an online broadcast, lashing out at the government and accusing them of trying to shut down his InfoWars operation

Alex Jones sparked discussion with an emotional moment on Twitter, where he expressed extreme anger and frustration at secret federal filings that accuse him of crimes he claims he did not commit. He lashed out in an online broadcast, passionately insisting that America is being led by corrupt administrators. Jones made a stand as a patriot fighting against what he perceives as injustice and showed a readiness for conflict while emphasizing his truthfulness. Witnesses noted that seeing Jones cry indicated the depth of his distress, as such a public display of emotion from him is rare.

Jones claimed the government has filed false allgesations and paperwork to target him and his business

Jones's breakdown suggests an intense personal impact from these events. Tom Ellsworth and Patrick Bet-David discussed on their platform whether this was an exaggeration of the actual severity of legal actions against him or a genuine response to the pressure he is under. Adam Sosnick voiced concern over Jones's legal and financial troubles, suggesting something bad might happen to him soon.

There is debate around whether Jones is genuinely distressed or if he is playing up the emotion for his audience

Speculation arises on whether Jones's showmanship part of this emotional outbreak, debating if he's using the situation to bolster sympathy for himself as a bombastic figure. The discussion hinted at how Jones might move forward if InfoWars is shut down, including whether he would continue as an independent podcaster or find a new platform.

Some see Jones as a bombastic showman, while others view him as a principled patriot willing to fight the government

Views on Alex Jones's sincerity are split, with some seeing him as using the business bankruptcy situation for dramatic effect, while others, like Aguilar, suggest that his breakdown is genuine given his uphill battle against government powers. Jones's emotional response could be tied to the concern for the country's direction.

Vincent Oshana ...

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, conversations and speculations emerge about the potential candidates and alliances. One such possibility is the rise of RFK Jr. as a contender, which could shake up the political landscape.

RFK Jr.'s potential candidacy could draw support from disaffected Democrats as well as Republicans unhappy with Trump

The conversation suggests that RFK Jr.'s candidacy could attract support from a segment of the electorate dissatisfied with both traditional Democratic and Republican options. Some disgruntled Democrats, particularly those frustrated with President Biden and the government's handling of the COVID pandemic, might shift their allegiance to RFJ Jr. Even a small percentage of voters changing sides could significantly influence the election outcome.

Resonating with varying voter groups, RFK Jr.'s strong stance on issues like vaccine mandates might attract not just Democrats but also Republicans seeking an alternative to Trump. Vincent Oshana points out that there's a portion of the left potentially upset about the vaccine. Oshana and Aguilar emphasize the importance of accountability for issues related to the pandemic response, which could become a rallying point for RFK Jr.’s campaign.

There is speculation that Trump and RFK Jr. could potentially form an alliance, with Trump bringing RFK Jr. on to lead a commission investigating COVID-19

The hosts discuss the potential alignment between Trump and RFK Jr., particularly concerning the investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and Anthony Fauci's role. Patrick Bet-David speculates that if Trump were to be elected, he might bring RFK Jr. in to lead a commission focused on these inquiries. The speculation includes whether RFK Jr. would support Trump or Biden, with opinions varying on this likelihood.

Furthermore, Oshana refers to RFK Jr.’s book "The Real Dr. Fauci," which levels ac ...

Cultural and social issues continue to stir complex discussions. From the nature of Pride month celebrations to the rising stars of the WNBA, these conversations reveal varying perspectives on the current social climate.

Vinny's experience at Disney World during Pride month raised concerns about the overly sexualized nature of the celebrations

Vincent Oshana expresses concern about the sexualized attire and actions he observed during Pride celebrations at Disney World, a location well-known for its family-friendly environment. He remarked on specific instances, including a man with a dildo straw around his neck and shirts that mentioned "big bear club," which he believes were not suitable for children. Oshana also described discomfort after seeing a drunken man exhibit overtly sexual behavior, which led him to question the appropriateness of such conduct in a family setting. Aguilar, sharing similar thoughts, suggests that certain ideologies are being pushed onto the public, including children, during Pride month.

The WNBA has seen a surge in attention and popularity due to the rise of star player Caitlin Clark

The WNBA is experiencing a noteworthy shift in visibility and popularity, thanks in large part to Caitlin Clark, who is hailed as a "superstar" and a "cash cow" for the league. Patrick Bet-David, Adam Sosnick, and others on the podcast discuss how Clark's excellence on the court has led to increased media coverage and public interest. Comparisons are drawn to how Eminem's race influenced his reception in the music industry, suggesting Clark's skill, not her race, is what makes her a standout figure. However, Joe Reece voices frustration over the disproportionate focus on Clark, arguing for greater attention to be shared among other players.

The participants compared Clark's transformative influence in the WNBA to the effect Tiger Woods had on golf, illustrating her relatability and electrifying presence. Clark has smashed attendance records and garnered significant media attention, fueling debate over whether her effect on the league will be lasting or merely a transient surge of interest.

Patrick Bet ...