The Influence of Tech Leaders in Political Campaigns

Silicon Valley leaders like Musk are increasingly influencing politics and public awareness in the tech age.

### The Political Influence of Tech Leaders: A Historical Perspective
* 📅 The political involvement of technology CEOs can be traced back to the **1980s**, coinciding with the rise of the **desktop computer** and the subsequent growth of **e-commerce** in the 1990s.
* 🤖 Today, we are witnessing a new phase characterized by **advancements in AI** and a **renewed space race**, with influential figures like **Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk** leading the charge.
* 💼 Since the 1980s, these tech leaders have actively engaged with government to advocate for **regulatory changes**, **investment opportunities**, and to position the government as a **customer**.
* 📈 The current landscape suggests that figures like Musk may play significant roles in administration, especially if Trump returns to power, **increasing scrutiny on their political activities**.
* 🌐 The rise of social media has **enhanced transparency** regarding tech leaders' political positions, contrasting with the previously **secretive nature** of groups like the PayPal Mafia.
* 🗳 Historical evidence indicates that endorsements from tech leaders, such as Musk, can influence voter behavior, as seen when Clinton sought Silicon Valley's support in 1992, bolstering his **pro-business image**.
* 🏛 Both current presidential campaigns prioritize technology, indicating that regardless of who wins, **Silicon Valley stands to benefit from increased attention and potential policy alignment**.
* 🔍 As society becomes more aware of big tech's power, the electorate is now recognizing the **importance of endorsements and political engagement from tech leaders**, further pushing for **transparency in their influence**.

Just take us back in history. This dates back to the eighties, really the nineties when technology CEOs really started to make their feelings and money known in politics. Hi, Caroline. Yes, the current age of tech really began in the 1980s with the arrival of the desktop computer, and then in the 1990s, e-commerce took off and now we're in sort of the third act of this age in terms of AI and of course the space race. But from the very start, from the 1980s, Silicon Valley's players, many of whom are still the same today as they were then, so are people like starting with Steve Jobs and right through to Bezos. And and Musk started becoming politically active in the 1980s and engaging with government in terms of the kind of changes they wanted for in terms of regulation, investment, and also the idea of government as a customer.

I suppose what potentially has changed here is that one of them might well take a very leading role in administration if indeed Trump does get in. I'm talking about Elon Musk. But moreover, it's sort of we're getting more transparency about their roles. Is that because of the way they're self-identifying or is that because of the age of social media, we're able to find these things out? I think it's because, well, we have people like Elon Musk being sort of particularly flamboyant in terms of their approach. I mean, with the million-dollar lottery where there's been so much focus on the million bucks. But actually, I think it's great to have that because we are now seeing the power of tech, which was previously, I think, existed. I mean, the PayPal Mafia kind of functioned as very much with that sort of oath of silence or omerta in terms of their political views.

And we've seen those actually coming out now. And just how much people like Musk can influence narratives, and not just through money, but in terms of how they think about the economy, and of course, how Musk has also been thinking about issues like immigration and voter fraud. Now, in your research, have you found specific evidence that an endorsement from a technology leader like Musk or an appeal from leaders in technology to actually go out and vote translates to that action by the electorate in the voting base? I think it does have some impact. The very first Silicon Valley election took place in 1992 when Clinton actually went out to woo Silicon Valley because he wanted the Democrats to be seen as a pro-business, pro-tech policy. And the endorsement that Silicon Valley gave him just, I think, three weeks ahead of that election did actually help in terms of shifting the mood of some workers. But, of course, at that point, he was

already ahead in the polls. So I think it does help happen in some in some way in terms of boosting the candidate's credentials. And we've seen that happening this time. With we Come HARRIS and Trump vying for the money endorsements. Now, do you believe that technology is a priority for both campaigns in this election? Yes, absolutely. And I think that when we have candidates competing for Silicon Valley votes and endorsements, it means that actually it's a win-win for Silicon Valley, irrespective of whether it's Trump or Kamala Harris who ends up in the White House. I think just broadly, we need to just think about ultimately whether the electorate. Do you think has that transparency, that knowledge that with endorsements, with hitting the campaign trail, that might well be positives for the companies that they run in the later half of of the administration? I think all of us are becoming much more aware

of the power of big tech. I mean, we've now been living in the age of tech for the last 40 years. So I think, yes, the electorate is beginning to pay more attention. And when we have people like Musk making the kind of statements they do in a way that he's helped add to the need for more transparency and has made that process more transparent, in fact, inadvertently.

The Political Power of Silicon Valley

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Bloomberg Technology

Tech CEOs began making their political presence known in the 1980s, with figures like Steve Jobs, Bezos, and Musk leading the charge.

The current age of tech, marked by AI and a new space race, has brought increased transparency to their political roles.

Elon Musk's flamboyant approach and the impact of social media have highlighted the power of tech leaders in politics.

The Influence of Technology Leaders on Elections

Technology leaders like Musk have a significant impact on political narratives and voter behavior.

The endorsement of candidates by Silicon Valley has historically shifted the mood of workers and boosted candidates' credentials.

With both Trump and Kamala Harris vying for Silicon Valley's support, the competition for endorsements creates a win-win situation for the tech industry.

Big Tech has been influential for the past 40 years, and the electorate is now paying more attention to its power.

Elon Musk's statements and actions have inadvertently increased the demand for transparency in the tech industry.

This growing focus on transparency may lead to a more accountable and responsible tech landscape.