Oct 23, 2026 · 22 min
Hollywood questions Silicon Valley as investors face election noise
Hollywood vs. Silicon Valley & The Midterm Money Effect
The episode connects changing tech narratives in entertainment with a data-backed case for resisting political overreaction in portfolios.
- 1Hollywood increasingly portrays tech founders as powerful figures whose influence deserves scrutiny, not automatic admiration.
- 2Historical market data suggests investors generally benefit from staying invested through midterm-election uncertainty, regardless of congressional control.
- 3Analyst upgrades point to potential turnarounds at Victoria’s Secret and Boyd Gaming through stronger operations, brand renewal, and valuation.
Don't miss
The clearest investment argument arrives when Hanna presents historical evidence that markets usually rise after midterm elections, supporting a case against reacting to political noise.
The brief
John and Hanna examine Hollywood’s shift from celebrating Silicon Valley visionaries to questioning the influence of figures such as Elizabeth Holmes and other tech leaders.
The hosts explore the industry’s awkward dependence on technology companies, including Amazon’s connection to Artificial, Meta’s ads for The Social Reckoning, and platform limits on a Musk documentary.
The election segment argues that midterm anxiety can distort investor behavior, while historical data shows the S&P 500 has risen in most 12-month periods afterward regardless of which party controls Congress.
The closing stock discussion turns to upgrades for Victoria’s Secret and Boyd Gaming, linking the calls to a brand turnaround, improving operations, a Pennsylvania ruling, and valuation potential.
What was said on this episode
17 statements · 7 positive · 3 negative · 3 mixed · 4 neutral
Hollywood’s portrayals of tech founders have become more critical, reflecting broader cultural skepticism.
“Hollywood is becoming more critical of these figures. And that to me reflects a broader cultural shift in how we think about Silicon Valley and billionaire founders.”
Listen at 3:27
Tech founders and companies shape communication, information access, and potentially millions’ livelihoods.
“They are also shaping how we communicate, how we get information, and potentially how millions of people work and earn a living.”
Listen at 4:12
Amazon and OpenAI announced a partnership anchored by a $50 billion Amazon investment.
“Amazon and OpenAI announced a partnership anchored by a $50 billion Amazon investment”
Listen at 5:16
X continues refusing to run trailers for the Elon Musk documentary.
“X still refuses to run trailers for the movie about its owner, Elon.”
Listen at 6:07
Netflix bought Ben Affleck’s AI company Inner Positive for $587 million.
“This past March, Netflix bought Ben Affleck's AI company, Inner Positive, for $587 million.”
Listen at 6:55
The Social Reckoning opened to roughly $5 million, while You Can See Everything made $15 million.
“The Social Reckoning opened to roughly $5 million. A little bit of a flop. We'll say that. Meanwhile, you can see everything that had a limited release made $15 million.”
Listen at 7:27
A survey found that 40% of investors changed portfolios before the midterms.
“A recent nationwide survey found that 40% of investors have already made portfolio changes ahead of the midterms”
Listen at 9:06
Anxiety often causes increased trading volume.
“anxiety often drives increased trading volume”
Listen at 10:16
Political leanings shape economic perceptions, expectations, and financial decisions.
“Our political leanings, you know, shape how we see the economy. It also shapes what we expect from the economy. And it shapes, again, what we do with our money.”
Listen at 10:50
After Trump’s 2016 victory, Republican investors increased stocks while Democrats favored safer assets.
“After Trump's 2016 presidential victory, likely Republican investors increased their stock exposure. They were bullish, while likely Democrats moved towards safer assets.”
Listen at 11:15
Wall Street generally prefers predictability after elections.
“Wall Street likes... generally likes, predictability.”
Listen at 12:10
The stock market cares more about profits, rates, and growth than congressional party control.
“the stock market tends to care a lot more about things like corporate profits and interest rates and economic growth than which party is controlling Congress at a given time.”
Listen at 12:40
The entire market is unlikely to collapse or radically change after November 4th.
“I wouldn't expect the entire market to turn upside down on November 4th.”
Listen at 12:56
A new Congress will not automatically repeal Trump’s enacted business-friendly tax provisions.
“a lot of Trump's business-friendly tax provisions from that big, beautiful bill are already law. And so a new Congress is not going to automatically undo those.”
Listen at 13:01
Trump would retain executive-branch control even if Democrats win both chambers.
“even if the Democrats win both chambers, Trump still controls the executive branch”
Listen at 13:17
Victoria’s Secret priced show-featured items about 10% above its usual offering.
“Victoria's Secret made items featured in the show available to buy at about 10% higher than the usual offering.”
Listen at 17:58
Victoria’s Secret stock has risen 66% this year.
“Victoria's Secret stock is up 66% this year.”
Listen at 18:49
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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