The only time he had previously participated in a demonstration was during the early days of Donald Trump's first presidential term. He joined fellow Google employees in a walkout from the company's Silicon Valley campus, protesting against immigration restrictions. This time, however, the scene was different. On April 5, a tech worker, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from Trump supporters, directed thousands of marchers with a bullhorn in downtown San Jose. Notably absent were tech executives, just months after many had attended Trump's January inauguration.
As the marchers voiced their concerns, they were advised not to harass drivers of Tesla vehicles. This was a significant shift, given that Tesla had transformed from a symbol of Silicon Valley's environmental innovation to a pro-Trump emblem. According to Lyons, a 54-year-old tech worker, this change reflects the broader transformation in Silicon Valley over the past 25 years and the current atmosphere of fear surrounding many Trump critics. "One of the things I've seen over that time is a shift from a nerdy utopia to a money-first, move fast and break things," Lyons stated, highlighting the contrasting sentiments within the tech community.
The political allegiances within the tech industry remain deeply divided. While some of Silicon Valley's upper echelons have begun to lean right, many everyday tech workers continue to identify as liberal—albeit increasingly anxious and disillusioned. Ann Skeet, who oversees a center at Santa Clara University focusing on tech ethics, observed, "I think you're seeing a real gap between the leadership elite here in Silicon Valley and their workforce." Lenny Siegel, a former mayor of Mountain View and a longtime liberal activist, echoed this sentiment, noting that the shift in political allegiance has been minimal for most individuals.
A prime example of this shift is Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and CEO of a leading electric car company. Musk has taken a prominent role in supporting Trump's administration, advocating for cuts to federal agencies. He is not alone; other tech billionaires, like investor David Sacks and venture capitalist Marc Andreesen, have also aligned themselves with Trump's agenda. Meanwhile, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg have faced their own controversies, with Zuckerberg notably donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund.
Trump's administration has seen a significant influx of billionaires in key positions, prompting Democratic President Joe Biden to caution that the U.S. risks becoming an oligarchy controlled by the affluent. During Trump's first term, Silicon Valley and its leaders were bastions of resistance, particularly concerning immigration policies, as the industry relies heavily on a global workforce. Santa Clara County, which encompasses much of Silicon Valley, witnessed an 8-point swing toward Trump in the November election against Democrat Kamala Harris, reflecting a broader trend across California.
Despite this shift, the county still voted overwhelmingly for Harris, 68% to 28%, maintaining its status as a Democratic stronghold. Dave Johnson, the new executive director of the Santa Clara GOP, noted that while the party has garnered some new members, few have emerged from the tech sector. "If the lake was frozen, there's a little glimmer on top. I would not say there are cracks in the ice," he remarked, illustrating the complex political landscape in the valley.
Silicon Valley has a long history of leaning Democratic, characterized by a unique blend of libertarian individualism, Bay Area activism, and faith in science to address global issues. The tech boom was initially driven by startups that aimed to fulfill their employees' aspirations to make a positive impact on the world. Google's former motto, "don't be evil," was removed from its code of conduct in 2018, a reflection of how companies like Google and Meta have evolved into massive multinational corporations. These companies have recently faced layoffs, shocking an industry that once seemed poised for endless growth.
IdaRose Sylvester, who promotes a Silicon Valley-inspired approach to entrepreneurship globally, expressed her disillusionment with the increasing inequality in the valley and the environmental toll of powering crypto and AI operations. After participating in protests against Trump in 2017, she noticed a decline in political engagement post-Biden's victory. "I saw a lot of people get out of politics once Biden won. There was a feeling it was all OK," Sylvester reflected, adding that the situation has worsened since then.
Last weekend, Sylvester helped organize protests across the valley as part of a national day of action against the new administration. The event in downtown San Jose resembled a typical anti-Trump protest, featuring a sea of middle-aged and older attendees brandishing signs against Trump and Musk while chanting against oligarchs. Yet, it was evident that this was a distinctly Silicon Valley crowd, grappling with the ramifications of Trump's challenges to democratic principles and the actions of their industry's leaders.
As the political and economic landscape continues to evolve, the gap between Silicon Valley's leadership and its workforce remains a crucial area of focus, shedding light on the broader societal implications of these shifts.
