tech elite celebrates inauguration as Silicon Valley aligns with Trump administration
On Inauguration Day, fans of the All-In Podcast gathered in a billiards room in Washington DC to watch Donald Trump's swearing-in. Meanwhile, David Sacks, a co-host and PayPal Mafia alum, was preparing to step into his role as Trump's AI and crypto czar.
The All-In Podcast is known for its pro-capitalism stance and enthusiasm for tech start-ups. In the lead-up to the inauguration, Sacks and Jason Calacanis rallied support from tech leaders for Trump, highlighting a shift in the relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington.
The watch party, lightly attended, had an upbeat atmosphere, with attendees sharing laughs over Trump's outlandish remarks. Some guests watched as protesters marched outside, affirming their right to freedom of speech.
During the inauguration festivities, prominent tech figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg mingled, theorising that their alignment with Trump is partly defensive against regulatory scrutiny.
The tech community has rallied behind Trump, especially after his policy reversals on Bitcoin, appealing to industry-specific concerns. The crypto community's support was corroborated by shared interests with libertarian supporters of Robert F Kennedy Jr.
At a conference focused on sustainability and autonomy, various ideologies were presented, including anti-processed food and anti-vaccine sentiments. This highlighted a melding of the crypto movement with the 'Make America Great Again' ethos.
While attendees express cautious optimism about the future under Trump's leadership, concerns about the growing collaboration between the tech elite and Washington were seldom discussed.
Related events included a "victory lunch" for tech executives, discussions on defence rearmament, and the impact of AI in future warfare.
A highlight event was the Crypto Inaugural Ball where attendees celebrated Trump's alliance with the tech right, culminated by a performance from Snoop Dogg, who had previously been critical of Trump.
As conversations flowed about the future impact of crypto, attendees reminisced on their investments, with stories of individuals like Nate, an early Bitcoin investor, highlighting the personal significance that these events held for many.
