TechINTERVIEW

SpaceX agrees to testify to NYC Council on AI safety

The New York City Council subpoenaed SpaceX as part of an AI safety investigation, and the company has now agreed to appear; the chairs are reportedly ready.

On air: Hank Ledger on Wake Up, America
Published 5:27 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Bill Ingalls · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ Short · Tech

The Short: the best minute of this segment, cut vertical for your thumb. More about this Short

At a glance

First reported by CNBC: “SpaceX agrees to testify to NYC Council about AI safety after receiving subpoena”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:27 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: NYC, SpaceX, AI.
BBN covered this story before: Late Night BBN: Deepfake Ads, A'ja's MVP, SpaceX Phone Plan (October 9).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CNBCSpaceX agrees to testify to NYC Council about AI safety after receiving subpoena

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA lighter note after that. SpaceX has agreed to testify before the New York City Council about AI safety risks, after getting a subpoena.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWith me is a source familiar with the matter, who is speaking anonymously from a parking garage. Sir, can you hear me?
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesLevel three, pillar fourteen. I can hear you, and I need you to stop saying garage out loud.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo what can you tell us about why the Council issued this subpoena?
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesLevel three, pillar thirteen. A subpoena was issued. I have never said that to anyone, and you did not get it from me.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt was in the headline, sir.
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesLevel two, pillar nine. That is exactly what they want you to think. Also, I am parked in a spot marked compact.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLet me ask you plainly. Do you know what SpaceX will say to the Council about AI safety?
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesLevel two, pillar six. I understand there will be chairs. In a row. And a microphone, possibly two.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChairs.
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesLevel one, pillar two. I have a ticket stub I cannot feed into the machine, and I have not slept since Sunday.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo is that a yes, that you know nothing about this matter? Because that is what I am hearing.
Barnaby Okonkwo-ReyesStreet level, no pillar. I know the machine is broken. That is all I know, and I will say it under oath.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Tech →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · TechAlex Gibney's 'Musk' Has a Unique Perspective on Daddy IssuesRead the story
▶ As it aired · TechViral meme: "Gone but never forgotten" moment gets 19M viewsRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.NFL Report Cards: Winless Teams Get an A for AttendanceAbout this segment
Photo: Jelson25 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · TechMicrosoft's own AI chips, and the safety rules milk facesRead the story
Photo: MostlyDross · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · TechWhat's the Best Kindle of 2026 (So Far)?Read the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsNational Geographic's Helpful Bird: Anchor Treats Stock Footage Like Game TapeAbout this segment
Photo: Samueljjohn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · TechZoho cancels annual raise; founder warns on software jobsRead the story
▶ As it aired · Tech6 Things Longevity Experts Wish People Would Stop SayingRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Sister Sister 3 Deal: Guest Who Never Saw the Films AuditionsAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · TechBones, liver and blood fats shift abruptly at menopause, huge study…Read the story