Silicon Valley’s involvement in supporting Donald Trump’s bid for presidency was on full display at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. Tech moguls and venture capitalists from the Valley were present throughout the event, showcasing their support for Trump. Jacob Helberg, husband of venture capitalist Keith Rabois and a former president of Trump’s campaign, watched the convention from his private box, wearing a red yarmulke with “Trump” on it. Investor David Sacks also took the stage to address the delegates.
However, there were moments of discordance between Silicon Valley’s aspirations and the concerns of working-class Trump supporters in attendance. The presence of Sean O’Brien, the general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in America, who spoke later at the convention, highlighted the divide between tech elites and labor unions.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the convention, the author met Madison Campbell, founder of Leda Health, who had an extra ticket to the RNC. Campbell, a libertarian, saw Trump’s presidency as beneficial for her business rather than being a die-hard supporter. She believed that regardless of her personal agreement with Trump’s policies, he would create opportunities for businesses like hers.
The RNC was heavily secured, with police officers on boats, bikes, and horses guarding the convention center. The author also had the chance to speak with Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate and biotech company founder, who expressed optimism about Silicon Valley’s support for Trump. Ramaswamy mentioned his frequent conversations with Elon Musk and predicted more tech elites coming around to support Trump.
The Republican Party’s platform highlighted its support for crypto development and artificial intelligence (AI) rooted in free speech and human flourishing. Tech elites like Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen publicly endorsed Trump, contrary to their usual practice of quietly donating to political campaigns.
Despite Silicon Valley’s embrace of Trump, there were tensions and contradictions. Trump’s administration had been tough on crypto, and he had criticized subsidies for electric vehicles. J.D. Vance, a protégé of Peter Thiel and a former venture capitalist, has campaigned against Big Tech. Biden’s antitrust and AI regulation policies have further alienated the libertarian-leaning parts of Silicon Valley.
The author had a glimpse of Silicon Valley mingling with the MAGA crowd at the convention. They encountered a Snapchat software engineer wearing a snakeskin belt, who expressed confidence in anything associated with Peter Thiel. At a rooftop party for Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, they met Jeff Miller, a political strategist and confidant of former House speaker Kevin McCarthy. Campbell pitched her company to Miller, who later gave her passes to a VIP after-party.
The article concludes with Campbell offering political advice to fellow partygoers, urging conservative candidates to embrace the new GOP kingpins of tech rather than chasing oil and gas donors from the past. She believed that the new money is in technology, citing figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel.
Overall, the narrative provides an insider’s perspective on the presence of Silicon Valley at the RNC and highlights the complex relationship between tech elites and the Trump administration. It showcases the tensions and contradictions that arise when two seemingly opposing worlds intersect, shedding light on the ambitions and interests of both parties involved.
