Sexual Assault Is a Free Speech Issue

Nvidia’s co-founder Jensen Huang has officially resigned after admitting to an affair with an alleged Chinese intelligence asset and facing a report of a second alleged affair with a direct report. In this bonus episode, Brian, Zoë, and Leah break down how Nvidia’s board turned on its founder, what interim CEO Colette Kress means for the company — and how this moment could be a golden opportunity for Nvidia’s competitors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admitted to an affair with Alice Huang, a businesswoman US intelligence says was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security prompting an investigation of Huang by his own company. Nividia is on track to lose more than $470 billion in market value over just two days. Zoë gives us the timeline of who knew what when and what it means for the AI industry and our economy at large. Plus, after the Democratic sweep in the midterms, white nationalists, Christian nationalists, and the Proud Boys are declaring the MAGA movement dead and saying the Republican Party is theirs for the taking. Articles mentioned in this episode: Jensen Huang Hired a PR Firm Known for Handling Sex Scandals Last Year  Jensen Huang’s Troubles Leave the AI Industry Reeling ‘We Have to Take Over’: Far-Right Extremists Want to Seize Control of the GOP  Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from the newest ventures to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The outspoken consumer rights advocate, Louis Rossmann, knows the incoming Democrat-heavy Congress has a lot to get done. But he hopes one of those things is letting you fix your own iPhone. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The midterm results delivered a rebuke not just to the Trump administration, but also to Big Tech. This week, the WIRED’s politics team takes over to break down how Democrats flipped both the House and the Senate, and why the MAGA base is pinning the losses on Trump and the Iran war. We look at how more than $400 million from Elon Musk’s super PAC largely came up empty, and why voters restricted 39 of 40 data center ballot measures in what WIRED called the data center referendum. Plus — why election deniers suddenly went quiet, and what it all means for 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the midterms, WIRED talked with New York City’s mayor about data centers, AI in schools, and the future of the Democratic party. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we have a scoop on how a defense contractor connected their Claude Code commercial account to a secure Department of Defense system, exposing sensitive information. We also discuss the green, yellow, and red flags we have in Anthropic’s IPO filing and explain why it’s a test not just for the entire AI industry but for the entire US economy. Plus — how volunteers nationwide are preparing for ICE agents potentially showing up at polling sites in the midterms. Articles mentioned in this episode: A Defense Contractor Gave Their Personal AI Agent Access to a Secure Pentagon System The Anthropic S-1 Filing Is Also an AI Doomsday Primer  What’s Worth More Than Cash in San Francisco Real Estate? Anthropic Stock   Massive Groups of Volunteers Are Ready to Face Down ICE at the Polls Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from the newest ventures to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jess Asato’s public campaigning for victims of online abuse put her in the crosshairs of Grok’s deepfake scandal. Then the UK Member of Parliament became a victim of the abuse herself. Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the team speaks with Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond to go behind the scenes of her viral interview with Nathan Fielder about his latest documentary, You Can See Everything — she tells us why she had to keep it a secret, and how it felt to interview a man who hates being interviewed. We also discuss why tech billionaires are feeling generous all of a sudden — Anthropic pledged to commit 5 percent of its shares to a public benefit fund, and Elon Musk promised to give a SpaceX share to every child in America. Plus: a WIRED investigation found that election offices in at least 32 states received suspicious letters, some containing white powder, just two weeks before the midterms. Articles mentioned in this episode: Nathan Fielder Tells Us Everything  How Elizabeth Holmes Tricked WIRED—and Everyone Else  Election Offices in at Least 32 States Have Received Suspicious Letters  They Fled Trump’s America. Now They Regret It  Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from the newest ventures to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Anne Franks has spent years fighting against online abuse. When people are abused with impunity, she says, the message becomes “We do not care about women's voices.” Join WIRED’s best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian’s newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Including what Elizabeth Holmes said to him last week. A WIRED exclusive interview with the comic auteur, as his first feature film hits theaters. The conversation between Katie Drummond and Nathan Fielder is performed by voice actors. These are not their actual voices. Written by Katie Drummond. Originally published on October 19th, 2026. Listen to more of The Big Story here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://swap.fm/l/wi-bigstorypod-feeddrop For more of the most ambitious, future-defining stories from our favorite human writers, subscribe to The Big Story newsletter: https://www.wired.com/newsletter/the-big-story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices