Ari Emanuel on Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Mixing Business with Politics

The New Yorker Radio Hour | Sep 25

Ari Emanuel is the executive chairman of W.M.E., one of the biggest talent agencies in Hollywood. He has overseen the careers of Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Meghan Markle, Martin Scorsese, Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson, and Donald Trump. His entertainment machine now includes the W.W.E., the U.F.C., live theatres, ticketing operations, and more. In a new memoir, “Roll the Calls,” Emanuel charts his rise from working in the mailroom to global power. He talks with David Remnick about his disappointment with Donald Trump’s self-enrichment during his Presidency; his close relationship with Elon Musk, whom he calls an “incredible human being”; and doing business within “shades of gray” with the de-facto Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman.  

Further reading:

New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts. 

Top Stories

Driving to death: NYC yellow taxi drivers keep dying on the job, unable to make ends meet

Four cabbie deaths over the summer raise new questions about the beleaguered industry.
Gothamist |

The White House on Mute

Plus a history of press access in the people’s house.
On the Media |

Jensen McRae Performs Live; New Film Follows NYC Location Scout

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE