TLDR:
- Tech billionaires, including Elon Musk and influential venture capitalists, are backing J.D. Vance for vice president.
- A new tech-aligned super PAC called America PAC has raised over $8 million to support the Trump/Vance campaign.
NPR’s article delves into J.D. Vance’s ties to prominent tech billionaires, highlighting five key elements:
Vance, known for his best-selling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” has quietly established connections with wealthy tech leaders in Silicon Valley who are now supporting his vice presidential nomination alongside Trump. Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and David Sacks are among the tech figures endorsing Vance and expected to financially boost the Trump/Vance campaign.
The tech elite view Vance as a change-agent on tax policy, AI, and crypto regulations, with concerns about the heavy-handed approach of the Biden administration and its potential impact on innovation. They see Vance as someone who aligns with their views and can help push back against perceived “woke” policies.
While not all of Silicon Valley is behind the Trump/Vance ticket, the support is growing within the venture capital world, showcasing a shift towards right-wing populism among tech figures.
