Unchecked Elon, DR Congo Conflict, Bird Flu Spreads, Super "Big Business" Bowl

Good morning. It’s Saturday, February 8.

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl, so we’ve got a mix of stories and podcasts covering everything from the halftime show’s revitalization to the massive rise of sports betting and brand campaigns—plus a one-on-one interview with Roger Goodell. But we’re also digging into some heavier topics, including Elon Musk’s unprecedented takeover of the federal government, the devastating conflict in the DR Congo, and the continued spread of Bird Flu.

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Rashad Drakeford

Co-Founder & Publisher, Good Diet

Elon’s Unprecedented Government Takeover

Elon Musk, with the full backing of Donald Trump, is aggressively reshaping the federal government, bypassing protocols, and consolidating power in a way that has stunned even longtime government officials. In just a few weeks, Musk and his handpicked team have taken control of key agencies, pushed out career civil servants, and gained unprecedented access to financial and personnel systems—all while making clear that their mission is to dismantle the so-called “deep state.” His rapid influence raises serious questions about conflicts of interest, oversight, and what happens when a billionaire with personal financial stakes in government decisions is given near-unchecked authority. Whether you see Musk’s actions as “government efficiency” or an attack on democracy, one thing is clear: this is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

• Musk’s Team is Moving Fast and Breaking Everything: Musk has brought his Silicon Valley playbook—rapid decision-making, ruthless cost-cutting, and disregard for rules—straight into the federal government. His team took over the U.S. Digital Service, renamed it the "DOGE Service," and gained access to Treasury systems, allowing them to monitor and potentially control government payments. He’s also slashing federal programs, including USAID, the country’s lead humanitarian agency, with little transparency about the long-term consequences.

• Conflicts of Interest Are Everywhere: Musk isn’t just shaping policy—he’s actively influencing decisions that could benefit his own companies. He successfully pushed for Troy Meink, a Pentagon official who helped secure a multibillion-dollar SpaceX contract, to become Secretary of the Air Force. His influence extends across multiple agencies that regulate his businesses, including the Treasury Department, the Office of Personnel Management, and the General Services Administration, which oversees federal property leases—something Musk is now reviewing for cuts.

• A Culture of Secrecy and Fear is Spreading: Civil servants have been sidelined, demoted, or forced out if they resist Musk’s changes. His team has conducted secretive “one-way interviews,” where employees are questioned about their work but given no answers in return. Some staffers have been placed on administrative leave simply for trying to block unauthorized access to classified government systems. Even high-level Trump officials admit Musk is operating with an alarming level of autonomy.

• What This Means for the Future of Government: Musk’s takeover isn’t just about cost-cutting—it’s a radical restructuring of federal power. His efforts to dismantle agencies and push AI-driven decision-making could fundamentally reshape how the government operates, prioritizing automation and efficiency over public accountability. Meanwhile, multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging his authority, but with Congress struggling to rein him in, it’s unclear whether the legal system can keep up with his rapid changes.

Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eastern Congo is once again in crisis as the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, intensifies its offensive near the key city of Goma. Thousands have been displaced, and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly. This conflict is not new—it's part of a decades-long struggle involving regional power plays, international interests, and local instability. While the world largely looks the other way, millions of people are caught in the crossfire, facing displacement, violence, and uncertainty.

• What’s Happening on the Ground: Fighting between Congo’s military and the M23 rebels has intensified, with M23 making significant territorial gains near Goma. The Congolese army, despite support from local militias and foreign allies, is struggling to hold its ground. Over 700 people have been killed, and thousands are injured, with hospitals running out of supplies.

• Rwanda’s Alleged Role in the Conflict: M23 is widely believed to have backing from Rwanda, which denies involvement but has been accused of sending troops and supplying weapons to the rebels. The situation has heightened tensions between Congo and Rwanda, with both countries on the brink of direct military conflict. Some reports suggest hundreds of Rwandan soldiers have died fighting alongside M23, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

• The Humanitarian Disaster: As fighting rages, hundreds of thousands of Congolese civilians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking safety in overcrowded refugee camps with little access to food, water, or medical care. Goma, a city of over a million people, is at risk of becoming a battleground, raising fears of mass casualties and long-term displacement. Aid groups are struggling to keep up with the growing crisis, and international attention remains minimal.

• International Response & What Comes Next: The U.S., U.N., and other global actors have condemned the violence, but diplomatic efforts have so far failed to stop the fighting. There are growing calls for a ceasefire and peace talks, but with both sides deeply entrenched and Rwanda’s involvement complicating negotiations, a resolution seems far off. Meanwhile, Congo’s government is demanding international intervention and threatening to take the fight directly to Rwanda, a move that could escalate the conflict even further.

Bird Flu Outbreak is Back

Bird flu (H5N1) is back in the headlines after a major outbreak in poultry farms, with new concerns emerging about its spread to cattle. While the virus has primarily affected birds, the fact that it's now appearing in livestock is raising red flags for scientists and health officials. So far, there’s no evidence that bird flu poses a direct threat to humans, but outbreaks like this always bring the risk of mutations that could make the virus more transmissible. With rising egg prices, concerns over food safety, and lingering pandemic fatigue, let’s break down what’s actually happening.

• Bird Flu Is Spreading Beyond Birds: This outbreak of H5N1 has already led to mass culling of poultry, with farms scrambling to contain the virus. What’s different this time is confirmed cases in cattle in Texas and Kansas, marking one of the first times bird flu has jumped to livestock. While it hasn't been detected in beef, the spread to cows is concerning because more mammals getting infected raises the risk of the virus evolving to spread more easily to humans.

• Is It Safe to Eat Eggs and Poultry? Short answer: Yes, as long as it’s cooked properly. The USDA and FDA say there’s no evidence that bird flu can be transmitted through eating fully cooked chicken or eggs. However, the outbreak has already affected egg prices, and if more farms are forced to cull livestock, we could see supply chain disruptions similar to the early days of the pandemic.

• What’s the Risk to Humans? So far, there’s no sign of widespread human transmission, and most past cases of bird flu in humans have come from direct contact with infected animals, not from food or casual exposure. However, virologists are closely watching the situation because every new outbreak is a chance for the virus to mutate, and if it evolves to spread efficiently between humans, that’s when we have a real problem.

• What Happens Next? The USDA is ramping up testing in cattle and poultry farms to track the spread and prevent further contamination. Scientists are working on updated vaccines for poultry and even experimental vaccines for humans—just in case.

Super “Big Business” Bowl

The Super Bowl isn’t just the biggest game of the year—it’s one of the biggest business events in the world, with billions of dollars flowing through everything from TV ads to sports betting. This year, a 30-second commercial will cost a record-breaking $8 million, and brands are pulling out all the stops to get in front of the 100+ million viewers tuning in. Meanwhile, sports betting companies like FanDuel and DraftKings are spending big to capitalize on what’s become the biggest day of the year for gambling. Whether you’re watching for the game, the commercials, or just the halftime show, the Super Bowl is a massive economic machine that goes way beyond the field.

• Super Bowl Ads Are Bigger (and More Expensive) Than Ever: If you thought Super Bowl commercials were already pricey, this year’s 30-second spots are hitting an all-time high at $8 million each. Major brands like Apple, Pepsi, and Budweiser are back with celebrity-packed ads, but we’re also seeing newer players like tech startups and online sportsbooks making noise. Some companies are even dropping full pre-game marketing campaigns just to maximize their investment.

• Sports Betting is Dominating the Game: With the rise of legal sports betting, Super Bowl Sunday is now the biggest day of the year for gambling in the U.S., with Americans expected to wager over $16 billion on the game. FanDuel and DraftKings are leading the charge, rolling out massive promotions and exclusive offers to lure in new users. Even if you’re not betting, expect to see odds, player props, and gambling promos woven into every aspect of the broadcast.

• The Host City Gets a Major Payday: New Orleans anticipates a significant economic boost. Estimates suggest the event could generate over $500 million in economic activity, with an influx of approximately 200,000 visitors—double the city's usual number

• Streaming, Social Media, and the Future of the Big Game: While the Super Bowl has always been a TV event, streaming is playing a bigger role than ever, with record numbers expected to watch online. Social media platforms are also cashing in, with brands dropping exclusive Super Bowl content on TikTok, Instagram, and X before their ads even air. With younger viewers shifting away from traditional cable, the future of the Super Bowl might look a lot different in the years to come

How Roc Nation Revitalized the Super Bowl Halftime Show

For years, the Super Bowl halftime show was hit-or-miss—sometimes giving us legendary performances, but other times feeling completely out of touch. By the late 2010s, the NFL had an image problem: its handling of Colin Kaepernick’s protests had alienated players and fans, and younger audiences—especially Black audiences—weren’t tuning in like they used to. Big-name artists were turning down the halftime show, and the NFL looked increasingly uncool. Jay-Z saw an opportunity: if the league wanted to stay relevant, it needed to embrace the culture. Enter Roc Nation, which took over halftime production in 2019 and turned it into one of the biggest, most culturally impactful stages in music. Jay-Z didn’t just fix the halftime show—he elevated it, making it a must-watch event that reflects the artists and sounds that actually define modern music.

• The NFL Needed a Culture Reset: After Kaepernick took a knee and Trump turned the NFL into a political punching bag, the league found itself in a crisis of credibility. Viewership was slipping, artists like Cardi B and Pink refused to perform. The NFL needed to connect with younger, more diverse audiences, but they didn’t know how—so they turned to Jay-Z.

• How Roc Nation Changed the Halftime Show: Jay-Z didn’t just bring in big artists—he made the show a cultural event. Under his watch, halftime became more diverse, more current, and more aligned with what music actually looks like today. His first show in 2020 featured Shakira, J.Lo, and Bad Bunny, celebrating Latin music in Miami. In 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige delivered the first all-hip-hop halftime show, a moment that felt like hip-hop finally got its rightful place on the NFL’s biggest stage. Usher’s 2024 performance? The most-watched halftime show of all time.

• Jay-Z’s Halftime Shows Became Awards-Winning Events: Before Roc Nation, the halftime show was just another part of the Super Bowl. Now, it’s an event on its own. Roc Nation-led shows have won multiple Primetime Emmys, setting a new standard for live music performances. More importantly, they got people talking again—every year, the halftime lineup sparks conversations, speculation, and debate. Who’s performing? What surprises will there be? Will this top last year? Jay-Z made the halftime show something people actually cared about again.

• Kendrick Lamar and the Future of the Halftime Show: This year, Kendrick Lamar becomes the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl, proving just how far the halftime show has come under Roc Nation’s influence. But the big question is: what’s next? Roc Nation’s original five-year deal reportedly ended last year, and the NFL hasn’t confirmed if they’re continuing the partnership. The league is in a better place now—ratings are strong, team valuations are climbing, and even Trump can’t resist talking about it. But the NFL still needs to stay culturally relevant, and Jay-Z has proven he knows how to make that happen. If this is his last Super Bowl halftime production, he’s leaving behind a show that’s bigger, bolder, and more culturally impactful than ever before.

Ezra Klein Show: What Elon Wants (Listen)

“Elon Musk has been on a slash-and-burn tear through the federal government — gaining access to I.T. systems, dismantling U.S.A.I.D. and unleashing a firehose of attacks on his platform, X, accusing the bureaucracy of various conspiratorial crimes. As this all unfolds before our eyes, it’s hard to believe that Musk, not that long ago, was a conventional Obama-era liberal. How did a guy who cared about climate change and going to Mars, whose companies were buoyed by government largess, become Donald Trump’s most unapologetic soldier? What does he hope to do with all this power? What does Musk want?”

Earn Your Leisure: Irv Gotti on Selling his Master for $300 Million, Tales, J Prince, and Ownership (Listen)

“In this episode, Irv Gotti talked to us about selling his Masters for $300 million, the power of ownership, music, movies and more.” (Recorded December 6, 2022 - Rest in Peace)

Channels with Peter Kafka: Why Michael Lewis is Worried About the Sports Betting Boom (Listen)

“t’s hard to remember now. But just a few years ago, sports betting was illegal in almost all of United States. And sports leagues and the media companies that worked with them wanted nothing to do with anything that even referenced gambling. Things are very, very different now! And it happened so quickly that very few people have stopped to ask what any of this means for America, and what it will mean down the road. Those questions — and the reasons why so few of us are posing them — turn out to be a great topic for Michael Lewis. You can hear him grappling with them in the excellent new season of his “Against the Rules” podcast series. And I was delighted to discuss all of it with him on my show. It also gave me an opportunity to discuss “The Fifth Risk” - his 2018 book about Donald Trump’s first attempt to take over federal government, which is extra-timely right now. And I couldn’t let him go without a brief chat about crypto and Sam Bankman-Fried.”

Rapid Response: Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is Here to Put the Brand Back on Top (Listen)

“Amid higher costs, longer wait times and waning sales, Starbucks is ready for a brand refresh. The company’s new CEO, Brian Niccol joins Rapid Response to reveal how Starbucks plans to go back to its roots and prioritize human connection in the hopes of restoring the brand’s position in US culture. Niccol also shares insights about evolving Starbucks’ business model, tackling the Chinese market, and how AI and tariffs are poised to shape the brand’s future.”

The David Rubenstein Show: Roger Goodell (Listen)

“For many football fans, Roger Goodell is the only NFL Commissioner they’ve known, with the 65-year-old now in his 19th year at the helm of America’s most popular pro sport. In an episode of “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations,” Goodell talks about NFL’s international expansion, and that adding an 18th game to the regular season schedule is the “logical” next step for the league. He also discussed the NFL allowing private equity firms to take passive minority stakes in teams. There’s been some fan backlash on this move, but Goodell tried to ease those concerns, saying he doesn’t think he’ll “ever allow institutional [investors] in a controlling position, at least in the foreseeable future.””