Money Stuff: The Podcast · Friday, July 10, 2026
SpaceX's inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index has generated significant backlash from retail investors, who are reportedly 'really mad' about the change. This controversy highlights the unusual public engagement with index construction rules, with many investors expressing strong negative sentiments towards Elon Musk's involvement. While index providers like Nasdaq and potentially the S&P Dow Jones Indices have adjusted their rules, the fervor indicates a strong investor desire to align portfolios with personal or ethical preferences, even if it leads to less conventional investment strategies.
“I've been like banging this jump for a while that, like, you know, everybody complains about SpaceX training stock indexes like a lot like this stuff comes up with but I've never really seen it to this degree of fervor. People are really really mad about SpaceX joining the NAZAC one X. They're really mad about the possibility that it might join the S and P.”
“It's a little bit beautiful like this is the most the general public has ever cared about index technology. Yeah, I know, right, it's nice.”
“Everyone thinks it's cheating for Elon Musk to get put into indexes, and so a lot of people are really mad about it, And there was a great Bloomberg article this week about retail investors being mad about it and saying things like I think he's on the side of evil.”