Venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, who was previously a supporter of former President Donald Trump, has recently announced his intention to make a significant donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. This change of heart comes after Horowitz and his business partner, Marc Andreessen, publicly endorsed Trump in a YouTube video, claiming he was the best choice for the tech industry, particularly in the realm of cryptocurrency.
However, Horowitz’s opinion shifted once Harris entered the race for the presidency. In a recent email to employees, he revealed that he and his wife have known Harris for over a decade and have developed a close friendship with her. He also mentioned that Harris had been supportive during the early days of his firm, even helping out with events at his house.
Despite his previous support for Trump, Horowitz voiced his concerns about the Biden administration’s tech policies, which he described as “exceptionally destructive,” particularly in areas like crypto, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. He expressed hope that a Harris presidency would bring positive change for the tech industry, but emphasized that he is still waiting to see if she will follow through on her promises.
Horowitz’s shift in allegiance is not unique among venture capitalists, as others such as LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, OpenAI investor Ron Conway, and Mark Cuban have also pledged their support for Harris. On the other hand, billionaire Elon Musk, Sequoia Capital’s Shaun Maguire, and the Winklevoss twins continue to stand by Trump.
It appears that the tech industry is divided in its political allegiances, with some hopeful that a change in leadership will bring about positive developments, while others remain steadfast in their support for the current administration. Only time will tell how these political shifts will impact the future of the tech world.
