Outlook Business Desk
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped several prominent Silicon Valley figures for his administration, filling roles from advisory positions to official government appointments. These tech leaders offer expertise in innovation and cost-cutting, though the extent of their influence and responsibilities remains uncertain
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, serves as an advisor and heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary initiative focused on reducing government waste, aiming for similar cost-cutting efficiencies as his companies, disbanding by July 4, 2026
As Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar (Advisory), venture capitalist and PayPal Mafia member Sacks, also co-host of the All-In podcast, advocates for limited government regulation of AI and cryptocurrency, signaling support for lighter tech industry oversight
As an informal adviser, Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a notable Trump supporter, offers advice from Mar-a-Lago. He advocates for reduced regulation on mergers, acquisitions, and cryptocurrency, potentially shaping tech policy and business practices
As Head of the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, San Francisco lawyer and former California Republican Party vice chair, Harmeet Dhillon is known for her conservative views on free speech, opposition to pandemic restrictions, and focus on protecting Jewish students
As Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Michael Helberg, an adviser at Palantir and founder of the Hill and Valley Forum, will shape international economic policy, focusing on energy, the environment, and China-related issues, including supporting a TikTok ban
These Silicon Valley figures, with direct access to the president, could greatly influence government policy on AI, crypto, taxation, and regulation. While some view this as a push for innovation and deregulation, others worry it concentrates power among tech elites, threatening democratic checks
The inclusion of Silicon Valley figures in the Trump administration represents a significant shift in tech policy. These individuals are poised to influence industries like AI, cryptocurrency, and energy. Whether it would be revolutionisation towards innovation, or a digital coup, is yet to be seen