In a bold move, billionaire tech entrepreneur Reid Hoffman has called upon Silicon Valley’s elite to cease their conciliatory stance toward President Trump, especially in light of recent tragic events involving the deaths of two American citizens at the hands of Border Patrol agents. Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a prominent venture capitalist, expressed his concerns through posts on X and an opinion piece for The San Francisco Standard. He emphasized that the tech industry must not bend the knee to Trump or passively hope for crises to dissipate. He stated, Hope without action is not a strategy –– it’s an invitation for Trump to trample whatever he can see, including our own business and security interests.
This call to action comes amid a backdrop of mixed reactions from Silicon Valley’s leaders regarding the recent Border Patrol incidents. While some, like billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, have been outspoken in their criticism—labeling the current administration as a conscious-less administration—others have been more reserved. Notably, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have expressed concerns, albeit often through internal communications that have been leaked to the public. These leaders have tended to separate their apprehensions about specific incidents from direct criticism of the president himself.
Hoffman challenges this cautious approach, arguing that tech leaders possess significant influence and that remaining passive is neither beneficial for business nor a neutral stance. He asserts, Sitting on that power is not good for business. It’s also not neutrality. It’s a choice.
The tech industry’s relationship with the federal government is complex and multifaceted. Many leading technology companies rely on government contracts, are subject to AI regulations, and are affected by tariffs that influence product costs. For instance, OpenAI faced scrutiny in November when its CFO suggested that the company sought federal backing for loans to secure more favorable rates—a statement that was later retracted.
Hoffman’s appeal resonates with a growing movement among tech employees who are advocating for more decisive action from their executives. A petition circulating within the industry calls for CEOs to demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) withdraw from U.S. cities, terminate all company contracts with ICE, and publicly denounce the agency’s violent actions.
Despite Hoffman’s urging, some tech leaders continue to support President Trump openly. Figures like Elon Musk and Keith Rabois of Khosla Ventures remain vocal in their backing of the administration. Others, such as Tim Cook, have exhibited a more nuanced approach. Cook expressed being heartbroken over the recent incidents and called for de-escalation in an internal memo. However, his attendance at an exclusive screening of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary shortly after the ICE shooting of Alex Pretti, one of the Americans killed, has raised questions about the consistency of his stance.
Hoffman’s call to action underscores a pivotal moment for Silicon Valley, urging its leaders to leverage their considerable influence to advocate for ethical practices and human rights, even if it means confronting the highest levels of political power.
