Disney's next CEO, Elon Musk could serve Trump, and Taylor Swift could sue him: Leadership news roundup

A tech startup is ending hybrid work — and the CEO says employees who don’t like it should leave

The chief executive officer of British smartphone startup Nothing is ending the company’s hybrid work arrangement — and he’s encouraging employees that aren’t happy with the decision to find a new job.
Disney is on the hunt for CEO Bob Iger’s replacement. Here’s who might succeed him

Disney’s search for the next leader of the house of mouse is heating up. The media giant’s board of directors just tapped Morgan Stanley executive chairman James Gorman to lead the succession process for its outgoing CEO Bob Iger. Just a year after retiring, Iger returned to the company in 2022 to serve what was supposed to be a two-year term as CEO. He is now expected to leave the company — again — in 2026. Disney said it is considering both internal and external candidates. However, internal candidates are currently undergoing a preparation process that includes mentorship from Iger and external coaching.
Taylor Swift could totally sue Donald Trump

Thanks to a new Tennessee law designed to combat deep fakes and digital replicas, Taylor Swift could sue former President Donald Trump over his recent social media posts.
Target CEO says retailers can’t actually afford price gouging

In a fiercely competitive sector like retail, companies can’t afford to engage in price gouging, Target (TGT) CEO Brian Cornell says.
“We’re in a penny business,” Cornell said during an appearance Wednesday on CNBC, following the retail giant’s strong quarterly earnings.
Cornell pushed back on claims that Target (TGT) has raised prices to boost profits, and said that profits in the retail sector are already minimal, with every cent counting. Because shoppers have numerous options, including the “ability to shop in-store and online,” retailers have to be a lot more careful with pricing to avoid losing business, Cornell said. He did not address whether other retailers have engaged in price gouging.
Palantir CEO Alex Karp says Donald Trump’s political rise is linked to the ‘excesses of Silicon Valley’

Former President Donald Trump’s political success — and widening class divisions — was enabled by Silicon Valley, according to Palantir (PLTR) CEO Alex Karp.
Elon Musk is ‘willing to serve’ in Donald Trump’s cabinet

Could a potential Trump Administration 2.0 have a spot for Tesla’s (TSLA) Elon Musk? The answer is yes, according to former President Donald Trump.
“He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” the Republican presidential nominee told Reuters on Monday during a campaign event in Pennsylvania when asked about naming Musk to an advisory role or cabinet position.
Kamala Harris raised about half-a-billion dollars in a month

Groups supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for the White House have reportedly raised around $500 million within a month of her candidacy, Reuters reports, citing people familiar with the fundraising efforts.