E50: Elon Musk’s Move Into Politics: Yanis Varoufakis and Cory Doctorow on Fighting Billionaire Control
Release Date: 01/08/2025
The Playbook to Defang the System (Before It Defangs You)
DiEM25
After our livestream this week with Naomi Klein and Yanis Varoufakis, we sat down to pull out what actually matters in practice. Not a recap, but a tactical discussion: on how dissent is neutralised today — through platforms, finance, and institutions — and where we can realistically apply pressure. We talk about public contracts, platform dependency, crisis moments, and why some fights are winnable now while others require building power over time. If you’re an organiser or activist, don’t miss this! FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS Mehran Khalili (newsletter): Davide Castro (Instagram):...
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E66: You Don’t Own Your Narrative Anymore — Naomi Klein and Yanis Varoufakis
DiEM25
Naomi Klein joins Yanis Varoufakis for a live conversation on what public life on the left looks like today. From recent deepfakes using Yanis’ image for viral gain, to his latest police harassment over events from decades ago, the discussion opens onto larger questions Naomi explores in Doppelgänger (identity, imitation, credibility, and what “truth” means when noise travels faster than institutions — and institutions still hold power) before moving on to current affairs and lessons for the left from the tumultuous way 2026 has begun. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS...
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E65: The Empire Strikes Back: Trump, Venezuela and ICE — with Yanis Varoufakis and Arnaud Bertrand
DiEM25
In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and entrepreneur and commentator Arnaud Bertrand unpack what just happened in Venezuela, why it matters far beyond Latin America, and what people can do when “might makes right” is being sold as order. We’ll also look at Europe’s response, the oil angle, and the wider shift towards more force, fewer constraints, and weaker rules. And what it means for the future. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. Join us live and put your questions to Yanis and Arnaud! FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS Yanis Varoufakis: (site): Arnaud Bertrand (X): Mehran Khalili:...
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E64: The 2025 Political Hall of Shame Awards — with Yanis Varoufakis
DiEM25
As 2025 comes to a close, those in power are already rewriting what happened. We refuse to let that stand. In this year-end livestream, Yanis Varoufakis reviews the moments of 2025 that most clearly exposed how power really operates. We hand out a set of deliberately unofficial Shamelessness Awards. Each category comes with a shortlist, the audience votes, and Yanis responds live: unpacking what these moments meant, why they took place, and what they tell us about where Europe and the world are heading. Tune in, vote and tell us your pick for the most outrageous moments of the year!...
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E63: Is Europe Betraying Ukraine? Yanis Varoufakis & Volodymyr Ishchenko React LIVE
DiEM25
In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and Ukrainian sociologist Volodymyr Ishchenko explore how EU leaders are undermining Ukraine to justify their plans to re-arm Europe. If EU leaders won’t send troops and won’t negotiate, whom does their “solidarity” really serve? And why are some in Brussels worried that peace itself would threaten their new militarisation agenda? Join us for this crucial conversation on the future of Ukraine, the geopolitics of the Trump plan, and what a real path to peace would require. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS Yanis: @yanisvaroufakis — ...
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Manal Mahamid: On Art, Trees, and the Landscape Israel Tried to Erase
DiEM25
In this episode, artist Manal Mahamid reflects on growing up in a rural Palestinian village where even the landscape was weaponised to erase identity. She speaks about creating art from the land itself, soil, stones, plants, and how her work exposes the colonial logic behind forests, monuments, and “reclaimed” green spaces. Mahamid’s practice transforms memory, displacement, and resistance into a visual language rooted in place. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EXHIBITION The All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through the work of Palestinian...
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Born in a Refugee Camp: How Monther Jawabreh Uses Concrete to Tell the Story of the Occupation
DiEM25
In this important interview, Palestinian artist Monther Jawabreh reflects on growing up in a refugee camp and discovering art as a way to fight for his people’s story. He speaks about collective memory, political commitment, and why concrete has become his material of resistance. Jawabreh's work transforms loss into testimony, challenging erasure through form, memory and struggle. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EXHIBITION The All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through the work of Palestinian artists, it creates a space for expression and solidarity,...
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‘You Don’t Look Arab’: Doris Hakim on Racism, Identity & Art
DiEM25
In this episode, artist Doris Hakim reflects on growing up in Nazareth, navigating a fragmented identity, and discovering her Palestinian self only after leaving home. She speaks about memory, political erasure, and the everyday racism that shaped her iconic work 'You Don’t Look Arab'. Hakim’s story exposes how borders—geographical, cultural, and psychological—leave traces that art can finally name. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EXHIBITION The All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through the work of Palestinian artists, it creates a space for...
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'Art Saved My Life’: The Story of Palestinian Artist Rana Bishara
DiEM25
In this episode, Palestinian artist Rana Bishara reflects on how art became a lifeline—preserving memory, dignity and identity in the face of erasure. Speaking from Galilee, she shares her story of growing up on the Lebanese border, surviving ongoing trauma, and transforming resistance into creative practice. Through performance, public art, and memory-work, Bishara shows how art becomes both testimony and defiance under occupation. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EHXIBITION All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through the work of Palestinian artists,...
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The Art of Not Belonging: Shadi Alzaqzouq’s Incredible Journey
DiEM25
In this conversation, Shadi Alzaqzouq reflects on growing up without a homeland, discovering art as a weapon of self-definition, and challenging the stereotypes imposed on him as a Palestinian. His work blends rebellion, identity, and freedom to confront a world that keeps pushing him outside its walls. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EXHIBITION The All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Through the work of Palestinian artists, it creates a space for expression and solidarity, where art becomes a form of resistance. It showcases a generation of artists...
info_outlineElon Musk’s growing role in politics represents a troubling evolution in how wealthy elites shape public discourse and policy. From his control of X (formerly Twitter) to his involvement in U.S. elections alongside Donald Trump, to his recent support for anti-migrant and nationalist parties in Europe (including the AfD and Tommy Robinson), Musk’s actions highlight the alarming intersection of tech and political power.
How has the influence of billionaires evolved to dominate public discourse so openly? What does this growing consolidation of power mean for democracy? And how we can people push back against it? Join Yanis Varoufakis and special guest Cory Doctorow—science fiction author, activist, and journalist—for a live discussion hosted by Mehran Khalili. Be part of the conversation and share your questions in real time!
FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS
- Mehran: https://x.com/mkhalili
- Yanis: https://x.com/yanisvaroufakis
- Cory Doctorow: https://x.com/doctorow
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