Trump picking up support in Silicon Valley

DC Daily Journal: 

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The discussion then shifted to the notable political shift towards the right within the tech community. Masad highlighted influential venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, who have publicly expressed support for Trump.

“I mean, you see, now a lot of people are surprised that a lot of people in tech are going for Republicans, are going for Trump. Particularly Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz put out a two-hour podcast talking,” Masad said. He emphasized that this level of open support for Trump would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

Carlson inquired about how this newfound support for Trump was being received within the industry. Masad acknowledged a significant change from a decade ago, where such support would have been career-ending. “It’s still mixed, but I think way better than what would have happened 10 years ago. They would’ve been canceled and they would have — no one would ever like, no founder would take their money,” Masad continued.

“But Andreessen Horowitz is so big and so influential, and they’re considered smart and not at all crazy. That’s got to change minds if Andreessen, Horowitz is doing it,” Carlson remarked. Masad agreed, noting that Andreessen and Horowitz’s support is giving others the courage to voice their backing for Trump. “Yeah. It would have certainly changed minds. I think, you know, give people some courage to say I’m for Trump as well, at minimum. But I think it does change minds,” he said. He stressed that part of their argument for Trump is the Democratic Party’s eagerness to regulate AI.

The conversation also touched upon Vice President Kamala Harris’ participation in an AI safety conference in November 2023, where she announced new measures to mitigate AI risks. Masad criticized her understanding of the tech industry, suggesting it was lacking.

In early June, venture capitalists David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya hosted a fundraiser in San Francisco for Trump, raising $12 million. Sacks expressed his surprise at the growing support for Trump among tech leaders, reflecting the broader political realignment Masad described.

Masad’s interview demonstrates a significant political transformation within Silicon Valley, driven by concerns over AI regulation and spearheaded by influential figures in the tech community. So far, Donald Trump and the Republican Party has done the better job at courting those within the Silicon Valley world and that’s why he’s making inroads with this younger industry that has traditionally been Democrat-dominated.

That support is going to be critical for the decades to come. The Silicon Valley companies are going to continue to explode the industry of technology, which will become a bigger focus for economic policy.
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AI may be a driver in the move, but few people think of Kamala Harris as smart.  She still comes across to many as a ditz with her cackle and word salads.  Trump, on the other hand, is a successful businessman who also was successful as president.