At the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco, you might find Zenefits CEO David Sacks sharing insights. Known for his work as a venture investor and podcaster, Sacks has now been tapped to join the Trump administration as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar,” as President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Truth Social recently.
Sacks is set to lead the charge on the administration’s strategies for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. With plans to establish a legal framework for cryptocurrency and head a presidential council focused on science and technology, his role will be pivotal, according to Trump. “David will work tirelessly to ensure America becomes the global leader in these fields,” Trump stated. “He is committed to safeguarding free speech online and protecting us from Big Tech’s biases and censorship.”
This move suggests a shift in how the second Trump administration aims to acknowledge and reward Silicon Valley figures backing his campaign, while also showing an inclination towards policies favored by cryptocurrency advocates.
Earlier in the year, Sacks emerged as a significant Trump supporter, even organizing a fundraiser for the then-Republican nominee at his lavish San Francisco residence. Guests could attend for $50,000 each, with a $300,000 category that promised perks like a photo opportunity with Trump.
This stance marked a stark contrast compared to his previous criticisms following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Back then, on his All-In podcast, Sacks did not hold back, stating that Trump was “clearly” responsible for the incident and had essentially “disqualified himself from national candidacy.”
By July, however, Sacks was speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, signaling a potential shift in political alignment.
Aside from politics, Sacks is a noted venture capitalist and entrepreneur, having sold Yammer to Microsoft for a whopping $1.2 billion back in 2012. He is also linked to the so-called “PayPal mafia,” a group of notable technology personalities and investors like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, who all worked at PayPal during the 1990s.
Today, many recognize Sacks for co-hosting the All-In podcast alongside other investors such as Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, and David Friedberg. Trump, lauding it as the “top Tech podcast,” praises the platform where Sacks and his colleagues delve into discussions on economic, political, and social matters.
