Tech Titans Take Center Stage in Trump’s New Administration
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, he’s turning to Silicon Valley’s elite to fill key positions in his administration. This marks a significant shift from his first term, when the tech industry maintained a cautious distance from the Trump White House.
Andreessen Horowitz Partner Tapped for Key Role
Scott Kupor, a managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz, has been nominated to lead the Office of Personnel Management, overseeing recruitment and resources for government employees. Kupor expressed gratitude to Trump on social media, highlighting the opportunity to collaborate with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new commission focused on reducing government spending and regulation.
AI Expert Joins White House Team
Sriram Krishnan, a seasoned tech executive with stints at Microsoft, Meta, Twitter, Snap, and Yahoo, has been appointed senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan’s previous ties to Musk, including helping him temporarily run X (formerly Twitter) after its $44 billion acquisition, will likely prove valuable in his new role.
Musk’s Influence Grows
Elon Musk, a tech billionaire and one of Trump’s top donors, has emerged as a key advisor to the President-elect. His significant influence has raised concerns among Democrats, foreign leaders, and business executives who compete with Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink.
Crypto and AI “Czar” Appointed
David Sacks, a venture capitalist and former PayPal COO, has been named “czar” of crypto and AI, a role that will likely involve close collaboration with Krishnan. Sacks, a popular podcaster, has a long history with Musk and will play a crucial role in shaping the administration’s tech policy.
Other Key Appointments
Ken Howery, a co-founder of PayPal and Founders Fund, has been tapped as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, while Michael Kratsios, a managing director at Scale AI, will lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Emil Michael, a former Uber executive, has been appointed undersecretary for research and engineering.
Tech Leaders React
The appointments have been met with enthusiasm from tech business leaders, with former Meta executive David Marcus calling them “remarkable picks” and Box CEO Aaron Levie describing them as “very strong.” Since Trump’s election victory, tech companies have been quick to offer their support, with Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI Sam Altman each donating $1 million to the President-elect’s inaugural committee.
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